The Herald Bulletin

Evening Update

Entertainment

Discussion

February 9, 2010

No refunds yet months after Ind. concert hall fire

The Associated Press Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Ind. — Ticket holders are still without refunds nearly five months after an arson destroyed the Little Nashville Opry, with the concert hall's owner saying she's still waiting on an insurance settlement.



Authorities say their investigation is continuing into the Sept. 19 fire, which leveled the 2,000-seat hall about 15 miles east of Bloomington just hours after a concert finished. They had announced Sept. 28 — nine days after the fire — that it was arson.



Esther Hamilton, who with her husband built the hall in 1974, said she has the names and addresses of ticket holders and how much money they are owed.



"Most of the people know we will do it because we have always refunded tickets," she told The Herald-Times of Bloomington. "We are just waiting on the insurance money. I hope it comes tomorrow."



The fire forced the cancellation of several concerts, including a sold-out Nov. 7 Loretta Lynn show and two Sawyer Brown concerts set for Oct. 3.



Investigators haven't released details on what caused the fire, which they ruled started near the stage area of the hall. A $30,000 reward is being offered for information leading to a conviction, but a state arson hotline has received just eight tips, said John Erickson, a spokesman for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.



"We certainly would have hoped for more calls, but the fire occurred late at night, and that area is not very populated," Erickson said. "We have gotten some leads, certainly, and we have followed up on them. We are still interested in hearing from anyone who knows anything."



Randy Carlton of Brandenburg, Ky., said he and his wife were frequent concert-goers at the Nashville hall and had fourth-row tickets for one of the Sawyer Brown shows. He's frustrated after expecting a refund within a couple months.



"It's been 120 days or better now, and every time I call and talk to Esther, she gives me the runaround," he said. "Then she gives me the runaround again, says she is waiting for the insurance. And then I ask what happened to the funds, since they already got the money. She says it all went to pay expenses."



___

Text Only
Entertainment
  • Indy 500 in the books, but heat isn't a record

    Fans sought shade under the grandstands and beneath umbrellas. Misting stations got a healthy workout. But Sunday's Indianapolis 500 won't go down in the record books as the hottest in the 101-year history of the race.

    May 28, 2012

  • 0528 news getting together 2color.jpg Getting Together: Silence not golden for this library program

    Certain rules govern almost all libraries: be quiet, don’t mar the pages and absolutely no food or drinks on the premises. But a small group of patrons wait until after hours, lock themselves in the back room of the Alexandria-Monroe Public Library, eat popcorn, drink soda and loudly scoff as they watch bad movies.

    May 27, 2012 2 Photos

  • ent_0207portwood.jpg Portwood opts out of drug court program

    Amber Portwood, star of the MTV reality show “Teen Mom,” opted to drop out of the Madison County drug court program Thursday.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0525 news speedway leonard 0729.jpg Little 500 means family traditions

    The annual Pay Less Little 500 sprint car race is more than an event.
    In many ways, it’s a family affair.

    May 24, 2012 3 Photos

  • 0528_comm_500_queen008.JPG Get set for race weekend

    For Memorial Day weekend, racing, whether it’s cars or horses, tends to take over Anderson. Here’s a list of activities to participate in.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0525 comm Foreigner 1.jpg 'Juke Box Heroes' at Hoosier Park

    Foreigner lead singer Kelly Hansen said the audience won’t be disappointed with the band’s show Saturday night. “They are going to hear all the songs they expect to hear and so much more,” he said.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • Heather Bremer-color.jpg Heather Bremer: Can Smith cash in on another Big Willie Weekend?

    After yet another four-year break, Will Smith once again ventures into waters of the summertime box office with today’s debut of “Men in Black III.” Luckily for Big Willie, it’s the first weekend in ages that won’t be ruled by “The Avengers” … probably.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • Live music: May 25

    The following listings for live music are published in Friday's edition of The Herald Bulletin.

    May 24, 2012

  • Weekend Calendar: May 25

    Entertainment activities at area venues for May 25-26.

    May 24, 2012

  • 'American Idol' finale features marriage proposal

    "American Idol" can count a marriage proposal as part of its 11-season history.

    May 23, 2012