Country Thunder snub irks Cowtown
A Regina company is accusing Country Thunder Saskatchewan of poor business ethics after the festival made a new deal with a Calgary-based competitor without any consultation.
Cowtown, a company founded in Regina that also has stores across the Prairies, began selling western wear at the festival about 20 years ago. But that suddenly changed three weeks ago when Cowtown general manager Randy Lamontagne was informed that the festival was going with a different company this year.
Lamontagne said he was told by a Country Thunder Saskatchewan representative that a competitor “wrote a big cheque” and that Cowtown was out.
“It was that short and simple. And that, I think, is piss poor,” said Lamontagne, who lives in Craven.
Cowtown usually sells hats, Tshirts and boots at its Country Thunder booth.
This year at the festival formerly known as the Craven Country Jamboree, Calgary-based Lammle’s Western Wear & Tack (which also has stores in Regina and Saskatoon) will sell western gear.
Lamontagne said the decision stung because of how long Cowtown has supported the festival.
He said one year, Cowtown and other businesses chipped in to buy a VIP tent that the festival had struggled to sell. Lamontagne even put extra work into the festival grounds himself over the years.
Lamontagne doesn’t harbour any negative feelings toward Lammle’s, but rather with Country Thunder. Lamontagne said he would have appreciated it if the festival had consulted with him before making the deal, or at least give him the chance to make a counter-offer.
“We’ve put a lot of extra time and effort into it, and they just decided to go with someone else this year without even a discussion,” said Lamontagne.
Country Thunder Saskatchewan responded by saying it operates “like any other responsible business,” and weighs out contract options and agreements each year.
“This year we replaced a clothing vendor with a sponsor who brought an offer to the table which benefits our festival, and will help continue to grow our Saskatchewan event,” said Gerry Krochak, director of marketing and media relations for Country Thunder
According to Lammle’s president and CEO Barry Lammle, the company has entered into a partnership with Country Thunder for its music festivals in Canada. (Country Thunder also hosts a festival in Calgary.) This includes booth space at events and the licence to sell Country Thunder merchandise.
Lammle said Country Thunder initially contacted his company before Christmas, and serious discussion started in March.
Being at the festival was never a money-maker for Cowtown, said Lamontagne. After paying for the booth space, a VIP tent and staff, the company was lucky if it broke even. Lamontagne said it was still important for Cowtown to have a presence because the event was part of the community.
“It’s a local event and it’s a country-western music festival and we’re a western store, so it was a natural fit and we should be part of it whether we make any money or not,” said Lamontagne.
Cowtown had already ordered inventory for this year’s festival, which will now be sold off-site at a tent outside the Craven Motor Inn. Some of the products will be sold at a loss in order to get rid of the inventory.