Thursday's show canceled over money dispute between singer and promoter. Michaels to return with own promoter.
Update 1:51 p.m.: Bret Michaels and his band are leaving town momentarily but they plan to return later this year. Michaels told Post-Standard reporter Bob Niedt that he plans to give a concert in Syracuse on Friday, Nov. 26 at a venue to be determined. Michaels said he plans to hire his own promoter for the upcoming concert.
Michaels confirmed that Thursday night's concert was canceled partly because he and his band were not paid the required deposit. Promoter Mike Banks said he paid Michaels part of the deposit but not the full amount. Neither would provide exact dollar amounts.
Syracuse, NY -- Bret Michaels, his band and his tour bus have been at the Syracuse Regional Market in Syracuse all morning Thursday, but it appears tonight's originally scheduled concert is not going to happen after all.
"We are not playing today unless something drastic happens," said Joey Stumpo, a member of Michaels' traveling crew.
Stumpo told Post-Standard reporter Bob Niedt just before 1 p.m. Thursday that the band and its buses plan to leave "within the hour."
Michaels was scheduled to perform tonight as part of the Market Block Party series. The front man for the rock band Poison was scheduled to stop in Syracuse as part of his Roses and Thorns Tour. Syracuse's The Feroni Project and Dirty Little Secret were scheduled to open. The original schedule said gates opened at 5:30 and the music was to start at 6 p.m.
Promoter Mike Banks announced Wednesday that the show would be rescheduled to a future date.
Pete Evick, lead guitarist in Michaels' band, said the dispute over whether or not tonight's concert will happen is about money.
"Bret is trying to do the right thing," Evick said.
The band performed in Big Flats, outside Elmira, on Wednesday night.
Michaels was in the process of winning over America on Donald Trump's NBC reality show "Celebrity Apprentice" this spring when he was hospitalized for a serious brain hemorrhage.
Just out of the hospital, Michaels went on live TV to win the title on that show, and has been rocking out on the road since. He's supporting his latest album, "Custom Built."
