Pop singer Ryan Caberra, rap duo Ying Yang Twins and up-and-coming pop artist Bonnie McKee are tentatively scheduled to headline Groovin’ on the Grounds, this spring’s campus concert.
With the March 11 concert less than three weeks away, some students worried that last fall’s Chingy cancellation and the University’s falling out with his booking agent, William Morris Agency, may have made it difficult to fill a big-name bill in time for the concert. But SG officials say the artists will be booked in time for the show, and the Chingy debacle had nothing to do with this spring’s difficulty to book bands further in advance.
William Morris is not affiliated with any of this year’s tentatively scheduled groups.
Jennifer Bishop, director of the Center for Student Leadership and Involvement, said none of the artists have signed written contracts with the University, and she does not know when they will.
“We’ve had a really, really tough time booking this year,” Bishop said. “We’ve been turned down by hundreds of acts.”
But Bishop said it has nothing to do with last fall’s incident with Chingy.
Top-40 rap artist Chingy was scheduled — but did not sign — to play the University Homecoming concert, but the concert committee cancelled the Chingy show after administrators expressed concerns about the vulgarity of some of Chingy’s lyrics.
William Morris, Chingy’s booking agent, demanded the University pay $40,000 for breaking the verbal contract. The University refused to pay, raising questions about the University’s ability to work with William Morris’ artists in the future.
“It has absolutely nothing to do with Chingy,” Bishop said. “Everybody keeps asking that, but it has nothing to do with that.”
Bishop said spring is a tough time of year because many artists are in studios recording instead of touring.
SG Chief of Staff Ian Navarre, who sits on the Students on Target concert committee, said the committee looked at a “long list” of artists and submitted bids to potential acts when they selected the bands.
He said he does not know which bands use William Morris as booking agents.
“I think we’ll be able to do business with William Morris again,” Navarre said. “But I can see why they’d be a little bitter — imagine losing $40,000.”
Bishop said a local band, Common Curtis, may join the line up. Bishop also said there may be three or four other bands but would not confirm which ones.
Groovin’ on the Grounds is an annual alcohol-free concert on the Parade Ground. Students on Target, an SG organization, hosts the event.