Merle Haggard concert canceled; some fans disappointed by SEMO District Fair refund policy

Country music legend Merle Haggard has canceled his Thursday night performance at the SEMO District Fair due to illness, and some of his most die-hard fans are upset about the fair's no-refund policy.

Fair organizers announced Haggard's cancellation Tuesday along with his replacements: country-music pioneers Mel Tillis and Ray Price.

"We're obviously disappointed for Merle Haggard's fans who wanted to see a true legend in concert," said fair association president Pete Poe. "But both Mel Tillis and Ray Price are country legends as well, and they are stepping up to help their friend Merle."

Haggard's publicist, Tresa Redburn, confirmed that Haggard was canceling 10 tour dates in September because of a chest infection. Haggard was diagnosed and treated for lung cancer in 2008.

"He expects to be back in action soon," Redburn said in an e-mail.

Still, it's not sitting well with some fans who tried to get their money back when they found out Haggard would not be performing.

Loretta Bell of Cape Girardeau bought her Haggard tickets months ago as a birthday present for her husband, who is a huge Haggard fan.

When Bell found out that Haggard was forced to cancel the show, she wasn't interested in seeing the replacement acts. So she called the SEMO District Fair office about getting her money back for two $35 tickets.

She didn't think it would be an issue.

"The receptionist told me no refunds," said Bell, 33. "She told me to check out the small print on the tickets. Mel Tillis and Ray Price? That doesn't compare for the price. So basically, it's $70 just thrown away. I just feel like it's not right."

Amanda Duda of Cape Girardeau was also disappointed that she couldn't get her money back for the two Haggard tickets she bought.

"Those acts are not why I bought the tickets," said Duda, 32. "I didn't spend $70 to see those two acts. I've never even heard of those people. At any other venue, if a headlining act gets canceled, you get a refund. I'd give the tickets away, but I don't even know anybody who would want them."

Poe said it's been the fair's policy for years not to issue refunds and that "no refunds" is printed on the tickets. He recalled a similar situation a few years ago when Billy Currington was replaced by Blake Shelton when Currington was sick.

"We honored the same policy then," Poe said. "It's just kind of standard. It's not unusual at all. If we had to cancel a concert altogether, that's a different set of circumstances. But we have replacements."

Poe estimated about 2,500 tickets have been sold for the show at 8 p.m. Thursday.

The fair office has received a large number of calls from people verifying that Haggard's show has been canceled. But Poe said most of those calls have been positive.

"By an overwhelming number," he said. "People are excited about Mel Tillis and Ray Price. They are both big country legends. The vast majority of the phone calls have been positive."

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address: 410 Kiwanis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO.