CHARLOTTE — A new date has been set for a Willie Nelson benefit concert at the Eaton County Fairgrounds, which was postponed in September, organizers say.
Nelson is set to perform on Aug. 22, 2014, said Cindy Miller, executive director of the Eaton Area Senior Center, which is hosting the show as a fundraiser.
The new date was announced two months after the benefit’s postponement, which occurred just two days before it was scheduled on Sept. 26 due to a shoulder injury Nelson had sustained.
Those planning the concert say it has the potential to raise up to $150,000 for the Charlotte-based senior center – money the non-profit could use badly.
Running the facility costs an estimated $250,000 a year, said Miller. In recent years, the center’s income – from building rentals to membership dues – has come in short of that by up to nearly $30,000 some years. Last year cutbacks, including reducing the center’s staff by three part-time positions, allowed the facility to break even.
In the weeks following the concert’s postponement some ticket holders asked for refunds, while others opted to hold on to theirs in anticipation of a rescheduled date.
“We stopped the ticket sales when we had to reschedule the date. But a good portion of folks retained their tickets. Most people were very understanding,” said Miller. “They get it. He had an injured shoulder and couldn’t play.”
Miller said 1,000 out of the 3,000 tickets that were available for the performance have been sold. Another 2,000 are now up for purchase again through the Charlotte Performing Arts Center box office.
“We’ve got more time to plan this one but obviously we spent money on the previous date and we can’t make that back,” said Miller. “It’s gone.”
Still, Miller said organizers are hoping the added time will allow them time to secure additional sponsorships and more advertisers to support the show. Currently, there are about two dozen area businesses sponsoring the concert.
“We’re really hoping to add more sponsors,” she said.
Ticket sales for next year’s Nelson concert went on sale again Dec. 3. Cost ranges is between $50 and $65. To order tickets, visit the Charlotte Performing Arts Center Web site at www.cpacpresents.com or call the box office at 541-5690.