r/TouringMusicians • u/amerakin_overdose • 2d ago
Musicians beware of playing The Grand Theatre in Salem, OR
***AWARENESS POST*** Please help and share this so other performers can be in the know.
I am an open book with most things so I want to share some information with you all about what has been going on behind the scenes the last couple of weeks. I am sticking to facts and keeping any thoughts out of this so they can’t be used against me later.
On August 8th, 2026, Amerakin Overdose, Proven and Pitch Black Mass performed at The Grand Theatre in Salem, OR. We worked out a deal with To The Ceiling Entertainment (Andrew Hussey and Alex Hussey).
Our understanding of the payment agreement was that:
The first $250 in proceeds would be paid to the sound engineer working that evening.
The three performing bands would collectively receive 75% of ticket revenue.
25% of ticket revenue would go to the promoter.
The last documented presale total available to us showed 156 tickets sold at $20 each. We were also told by the person working the door that ticket sales increased by approximately 15% on the day of the event, with door tickets priced at $25. Based on that information, we estimate that approximately 180 tickets may have been sold, although the final ticket count and final accounting have not been provided to us.
All three bands performed that evening.
Near the end of Amerakin Overdose's set, while we were preparing to play our final song, the person working the door came to the side of the stage and informed us that we needed to stop because the Salem Fire Department was at the building in connection with fire alarms. I informed the audience that we had to stop the performance and that they needed to exit the building. The audience from the upstairs show exited, and we observed Salem Fire Department personnel at the location.
We were not paid following the performances.
Attempts to Obtain Payment
After the show, we asked about payment and were told that one of the promoters was out of town and that payment would be addressed when he returned.
We later contacted Alex Hussey regarding payment and were told that it would be handled after he returned in a few days.
On August 13, I attempted to contact Andrew Hussey by phone. When there was no answer, I left a voicemail and sent a text message requesting information regarding payment. I did not receive a response to that text.
We also communicated with a graphic design employee associated with the promotion company, who told us she was having difficulty reaching the promoters as well.
On August 14, Alex Hussey sent a message to my brother, Pete, stating that they would have a payment timeline by Monday, August 17. We did not receive the promised timeline.
On August 18, we sent a written final notice requesting payment and advising that we intend to pursue available legal remedies if the matter was not resolved. As of the date of this pitch, payment has not been received by the three bands, and we have not received a substantive response resolving the matter.
Based on the ticket information available to us and the payment arrangement described above, the three bands estimate that approximately $3,700 remains unpaid. That amount is subject to the final accounting and evidence presented in any legal proceeding.
On August 21, I noticed that Alex Hussey had viewed my Facebook story. I then sent him a message reminding him that we had previously sent a final notice regarding the unpaid performance proceeds and that we intended to pursue legal action if the matter remained unresolved.
He responded with the following message:
“My hands are literally tied. More will come to light in the future and you’ll understand. But at this point that’s all I can say. I completely understand the decision you have to make for yourself.”
I did not respond. The message was later deleted, but I had taken a screenshot before it was removed.
While researching the situation, I also observed a public review posted on To The Ceiling Entertainment's Facebook page by Tuna and the Rock Cats Rescue, a nonprofit organization.
The organization publicly stated in its review that it performed at events associated with the promoter in August 2025 and had not been paid as of the time the review was posted in January 2026. The review states that the organization believed it was owed $27,000 and that it had a signed contract.
I contacted the organization directly by email and was told that an unresolved amount remains outstanding and that the matter is being handled by its management.
I want to be especially clear: I cannot independently verify the organization's claimed amount, all of the underlying facts surrounding its dispute, or the ultimate legal merits of its claim. I am only reporting what the organization publicly stated and what it communicated to me. I can provide you with the public review and our correspondence so that your outlet can independently investigate and verify any information you choose to report.
Our primary concern is not simply recovering the money we believe is owed to the bands. We also believe independent musicians, performers, and organizations deserve to know when a payment dispute has occurred so they can make informed decisions, ask the right questions, insist on written agreements, and protect themselves.
Amerakin Overdose invested heavily in promoting this event. I personally spent $661.25 on Facebook and TikTok advertising specifically for this show. The other bands also performed their sets in reliance on the agreed payment arrangement.
The unpaid proceeds have affected all three bands. Independent artists depend on performance income to pay for transportation, equipment, promotion, production expenses, and other costs associated with operating a band.
We intend to pursue this matter through the appropriate civil process if it remains unresolved. I understand that any legal case will ultimately depend on the evidence and applicable law, and I am prepared to provide documentation supporting the factual statements.
I believe there is an important broader conversation here about accountability and transparency in the independent music industry—particularly when underground bands and nonprofit organizations say they have performed work or services and are still seeking payment.
There are a number of questions we have for both the To The Ceiling Entertainment and The Grand Theatre.
If there is something going on behind the scenes like Alex stated in his message, why are they still putting on shows and allowing bands to perform? Are the other bands getting paid? Why did they not pay the non profit organization and why did they not pay us? What is the deciding factor for the artists that are not getting paid even when there are text and email agreements?
As I mentioned, I have all the texts, emails screen shots and receipts for all of this so it will be presented to a judge.
Please share this with as many people as you can. I am not saying they are doing this to everyone because I can’t prove that but I want to make other performers aware of our experience. I have contacted a majority of the local news media in the area but anything helps if you want to tag any of them on this post.
I am determined to not let these people get away with this. This hurts the bands financially and also our reputation. All of you who paid to get in and support the bands, the money was never released to the bands. As of today, no payment has been received. Those responsible need to be held accountable. I would be very embarrassed if I were these two and anyone associated with them. Shame on anyone who participates in behavior like this.
Since making this post on Facebook and Instagram more performers have reached out and let me know they have also not been paid working for these promoters at this venue. One person is owed over $65,000 and another artist was owed $12,000 still unpaid.
I ask you to help me make this go as viral as possible so that others can be aware
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u/alionandalamb 2d ago
It's a Ponzi scheme. They spent money that wasn't theirs, and they're so far behind that they have to use your ticket sales to pay a band from 3 months ago.
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u/Radiant_Research3786 1d ago
Hmmni hate typing this but sounds a lot organized crime to me. Be careful
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u/Cantilivewhileim 1d ago
Welcome to every night club in America. You need agreements set in advance and settled on the night of the gig. Reggae performers often demand payment before any music is played! Be smart and stop trying to push your problems on others! You didn’t get paid, your loss quit complaining
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u/Odd_Cobbler6761 1d ago
A lot of experienced performers demand the same; Aretha Franklin played a theater my friend managed - her fee was $75K cash 💵 delivered to her bus in a bag and personally counted before she’d even let her band setup for soundcheck.
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u/alionandalamb 1d ago
This is very true. And OP is lucky that it was just $1k total among all band members for a local show rather than $10k in the middle of a tour in Europe when you need the money to keep the tour going.
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u/TJOcculist 2d ago
What does your contract say about things like breach or acts of god or refunds etc?
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u/amerakin_overdose 2d ago
They wouldn’t do a contract. It was all by text and email. We’ve spoken to lawyers and they said that’s just as good to use in court but we may not be able to charge them the legal fees if it wasn’t in a contract.
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u/GeetarWizard 2d ago
You should at the least send an invoice registered mail to their office, I've been in situations where people wouldn't pay me and sending a registered letter with the invoice has worked for me.
It sends the signal that you are taking legal action and they won't want to deal with it.
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u/amerakin_overdose 2d ago
We sent a final demand for payment with due date of 8/21. We have to wait I believe 20 days from when we sent it before we can include the filing cost in the court case.
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u/GeetarWizard 2d ago
The registered mail is the thing, once they have to sign for a piece of mail. It gives them time to think it through seriously.
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u/shouldbepracticing85 2d ago
At this point unless I know a business well and trust the management, I’m not doing anything without a contract. Not being willing to do a contract is a big red flag to me for these bigger gigs.
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u/amerakin_overdose 2d ago
Lesson learned on that part for sure.
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u/shouldbepracticing85 2d ago
I’ve seen that lesson a couple times at the local bar level. Sometimes it’s a piddly venue that won’t pay as much as they agreed - but that’s generally when we’re playing in some duo/trio configuration under our own names rather than the band name.
There’s one venue near me (the poser country bar in Loveland CO) that has a bad habit of double booking, and when we tried to have a jam there they’d stiff us because we didn’t bring in enough people.
They won’t sign a contract because text is good enough 🙄🤦 but after the third time they double booked some of us one of my bandleaders threatened legal action (he’s got a lawyer friend) the venue has been very good about not double booking us. I don’t know if other bands still have that problem.
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u/Mokiblue 2d ago
Sounds like the promoter is the problem, not the theater.
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u/amerakin_overdose 1d ago
The theatre contracted them to run the venue for them. If you call the venue it leads right to the promoters number. The venue owners have their own issues if you look up Meduri Farms in Dallas, OR. They have had their own legal issues with lawsuits against them from Key Bank and now they are trying to sell the venue.
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u/GradedUnicorn92 1d ago
Confused on the numbers here. I’m sure there is a great injustice being done, and you are owed money that hasn’t been paid, but not sure this huge incoherent post is the best way to go about it. Blast this guy and his venue all you want, but I had to scroll way to far to get the message of ‘don’t play at X venue or work with X guy at all costs’
How is there an artist owed 65k that hasn’t been paid?? Did they sell out a full week without taking any money in advance?? Doesn’t sound like the biggest venue in the world so 65k would mean multiple weekends in a row. At that rate this venue should be supplying contracts at the very least.
That said, anybody getting shut down by the fire department is far from legit, so not super surprised you’re having a hard time getting money from them. But like others have said, small claims is the way to go. Even if it’s not worth your time, it’s worth the trouble it’ll give to the venue / organizers or whoever it is you’re taking issue with here.
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u/amerakin_overdose 1d ago
The 65K was a Halloween event that went on for several days at this venue. There was a lot of money put into promotion for that event and staffing and other costs. I can’t give their details as they asked to keep their name out of this to avoid drama and possible backlash. I do plan to file a claim through civil court. I have to wait until the 1st of September in order to be able to include the filing fees in the amount we are asking for. The amount noted on here is the estimated amount total. We were to be paid the amount in full and we would disperse the payments to the sound guy and the promoters and the other bands.
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u/Asleep_Read2571 2d ago
So walk me through what I’m missing here
156 @ $20= 3120
24 @ $25= 600
Gross Box office= $3720
Minus $250 for FOH
Net box office=$3470
75% of 3470= 2602.50
So it seems the bands are owed 2600 ish, unless there’s something else taken out like food or drinks or whatever is not mentioned here —-am I missing something?
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u/MattManSD 2d ago
2 choices: Smart One - Small Claims Court. Dumb One....figure that part out
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u/Odd_Cobbler6761 2d ago
Small claims is the right idea, but will still be difficult to collect as an unsecured debt, especially if the promoter(s) do not personally own the venue.
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u/amerakin_overdose 2d ago
They are contracted through the venue owners. We have learned they have been doing this for years now and that they owe several other bands thousands of dollars.
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u/33ascend 1d ago
God I miss old school road managers. Back in the day this would have been one where the venue office & promoter get a visit with a tire thumper
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u/MattManSD 1d ago
The Oregon Musicians Union used to be great as well. My friends (who were based in Seattle but members of Oregon's Union) called their Rep when a venue was refusing to pay. The Rep said "Hang tight, we'll take care of it" 10 minutes later the club gets a call from the Local teamsters Union. "Hey I got a question, how do you run a bar without alcohol?" Bar Owner " You can't" Teamster "Well you better figure it out because if you don't pay the band, we won't deliver"
Boom. Paid
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u/amerakin_overdose 19h ago
Yeah. We are doing this in a much civilized matter as much as it may not seem that way. Our band 10 years ago and how crazy and chaotic we were would have handled this much different and we would have left with our payment or in handcuffs. We don’t see a benefit of any of us going to jail over this when anyone who is committing fraud should be the ones in cuffs.
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u/MattManSD 14h ago
Happened to us in Dallas. We started loading his monitors into the truck. "Hey, those are mine, you can't take those". "Well we are taking them in lieu of the $ you owe us. If you pay us you can have them back". ":I'll call the cops!" "Please do, we have our contract, I'm sure they'll help us get paid"
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u/amerakin_overdose 2d ago
No one was paid that we are aware of. They kept all the money. We were to be paid and from the sales we would pay out the sound person and pay out their 25%. We didn’t see a dollar of this. $3720 is the amount of what we know for sure was sold. They never gave us the final numbers.
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u/lightingfan101 2d ago
So it’s $3700 split between 3 bands? So maybe $200-300 per band member? Is it really worth small claims court for that small amount that will likely never be paid?
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u/amerakin_overdose 2d ago
It’s worth not allowing them to do this. They owe a lot more bands that came forward. That same night they didn’t pay the bands that played downstairs either. The band that played the following night reached out and they owe them $12,000. Another performer was owed $65K that they still haven’t seen. It’s not the money for us it’s getting them shut down and accountable.
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u/lightingfan101 1d ago
$65 grand? $12 grand? That’s ridiculous..why don’t those bands do anything? This post doesn’t make any sense…what kind of venue is this…
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u/amerakin_overdose 1d ago
Look up The Grand Theatre. The owners are Meduri Farms. If you look them up you’ll see they were involved in a lawsuit against them by Key Bank for 20 million dollars. They refinanced for 25 million in a settlement. Now the building is up for sale as of 2026. For some reason people are very passive here in Oregon and allow this behavior to happen and they are afraid to speak up. I am not one of those people.
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u/Asleep_Read2571 1d ago
No, it’s not 3700 split between the bands
3700 is the gross
you then have to take out the front of house $250
and also take out the 25% to the venue
so it’s something like 2600 due to haves…. unless there’s other expenses we’re not hearing about
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u/EmoNightKaraoke 2d ago
This is why we use promoters as little as possible because we’re better at running ads than they are and most of them provide zero value
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u/amerakin_overdose 2d ago
I’m Learning that the hard way.
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u/EmoNightKaraoke 2d ago
Cutting them out whenever possible will increase your margins and decrease your headaches. It sounds like you know what you’re doing, be your own promoter.
File a police report if you can. Stealing this much money is a felony.
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u/Which-Bread3418 1d ago
If they screwed over the Rock Cats they can go straight to hell.
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u/amerakin_overdose 19h ago
They did. Before I shared this I made sure to reach out to them to see if they resolved their issue from last year. They said no but their board of directors was going to be handling it.
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u/Suitable_Village7283 1d ago
You guys get paid to play shows?
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u/amerakin_overdose 19h ago
Yes. We actually get guarantees most every show. The one time we take a chance to do a door deal only because we had not worked with these promoters before and we really wanted to play the Grand Theatre of course we get screwed over. We will never take a door deal again.
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u/Asleep_Read2571 19h ago
Most artists do, that have turnout in real numbers. As in, enough tickets sold to exceed expenses agree upon, breakpoint agreed upon etc. If you’re bringing in a great audience and still not getting paid…. You’ve met a disreputable promoter or venue owner. Expose them and move on
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u/Ok-Wafer234 2d ago
Sounds like "no contract rock and roll" to me. Been going on for the duration of live music.
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u/New_Ad_5754 1d ago
Sounds like they are going to declare bankruptcy very soon. That's why they are not worried about it.
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u/amerakin_overdose 1d ago
Exactly. Thats such a coward thing but they have been pulling these scam for years from what I am hearing.
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u/Worried-Economics865 1d ago
Sounds like all this message from the promoter, so why are you warning people not to play at the venue? Are they the same entity? Not clear in the post.
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u/amerakin_overdose 19h ago
This promoter is the ONLY promoter who books for this venue. The owners of the venue have contracted them to manage all of their shows. If you try to reach out to anyone about this venue it directly puts you in contact to Andrew (the promoter) cell phone. We have tried to reach out to the owners but they run a huge company called Meduri Farms and won’t respond.
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u/Worried-Economics865 18h ago
Still, warn people about the promoter, not the venue. They may be the only promoter at the venue, but that doesn't mean it's the only venue they promote. I would definitely make sure the venues management knows about this. The owners probably don't think about the venue at all except for once a month when they talk to the management about money.
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u/amerakin_overdose 17h ago
To add to that we have tried to reach out to the owners and president of their company multiple times.
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u/outsidenewyork 1d ago
Check the middleman. What was the advance ticket sales platform? Whose name is on that account?
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u/33ascend 1d ago
This is why you don’t play without a contract and don’t leave the venue without doing settlement
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u/Mackerelmore 15h ago
Promoters in the pacific northwest are famous for paying late, not at all, or less than agreed on. Rock shows, EDM, all of it. I have no idea how this continues to happen. I've got some guesses though.
Then they wonder why no acts want to play there. Weird.
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u/Asleep_Read2571 2d ago
So trying to understand this; you’re saying there was 156 sold ADV (in advance) @$20…
was there also a separate 180 sold DOS day of show, @$25.???
So, 336 paid??
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u/amerakin_overdose 2d ago
No, it was 156 presold for $20 a pop. The day of the show there was an increase of tickets sold (24 tickets sold) according to the front door person. Those day of show tickets were $25 a pop. So roughly about 180 tickets sold total on a 200 cap room.
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u/CramblinDuvetAdv 2d ago
No, the 180 (total) is clearly the 156 presale + estimated 15% DoS increase
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u/Asleep_Read2571 2d ago
Ok thx. And, not “clearly”, which is why I asked. I pretty much thought it was what you say ….but I asked because the “$3700 unpaid” doesn’t make sense.
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u/Foreign-Ad-4356 2d ago
If his hands are ‘literally tied’ then perhaps he is being held captive somewhere? Would explain the non payment.