Southern Soul Showdown rescheduled

The 13th annual Southern Soul Showdown has been rescheduled due to a rainout.

The concert had been set for Sept. 8 and will now be held Oct. 20 at the Union County Fairgrounds. Gates will open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6 p.m.

It’s a rare occurrence for promoter Michael Jackson of Mr. Mike’s Productions and owner of Mr. Mike’s Music and Artwork.

Jackson launched Showdown in 2006 and Soul Fest in 2002. Both are annual outdoor shows, and in 16 years, this is only the second time Jackson has had to reschedule either because of inclement weather.

“In 2014, I had to reschedule (Showdown) from Aug. 31 to Sept. 21,” Jackson said.

Like Soul Fest, which is typically held in late spring, Showdown features some of the hottest names in Blues and Southern Soul, providing area fans of the genres with one of the last outdoor shows of the year.

Each of the shows draw an average crowd of 1,500 - 2,000.

Headliners for Showdown 2018 were J-Wonn and The Legacy Band, LJ Nichols and The Neckbone Band, and Vick Allen and The Velvet Soul Band.

They were to have taken the stage at the fairgrounds earlier this month, but Hurricane Florence had other plans, Jackson said.

Florence reached the eastern shore of the U.S. in late August/ early September, causing severe flooding and prompting emergency evacuations in the Carolinas.

Some areas were battered with nearly 40 inches of rain.

Florence was downgraded to a tropical storm on Sept. 7, the day before Showdown, but the weather system strengthened and returned to hurricane status two days later.

Its effects were felt hundreds of miles inland, with El Dorado and Union County caught along its rainy path.

“It hit that Monday before and by Friday (Sept. 7), I made the call because I didn’t know if it was going to hit and keep going or if it was going to stay,” Jackson said.

“It rained that Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 8 and 9, respectively),” he recalled.

Jackson said he did not have a firm count on the number of tickets that had been sold in advance.

Some who had purchased tickets early used them for a party featuring J-Wonn on the night of Sept. 8 in the Activities Building at the fairgrounds.

Those who used their Showdown tickets for the party may purchase

tickets for the rescheduled show at a discounted rate of $15.

The rate is good until Saturday.

For others, early-bird tickets are $20 until Saturday. Afterward, ticket prices go up to $25 in advance and $35 at the gate. VIP tickets may be purchased for $45.

Due to the postponement, one of the Showdown headliners has changed.

Jackson said J-Wonn was booked for another show on Oct. 20, so Blues/ Southern Soul artist Avail Hollywood will be joining Showdown headliners.

Hollywood is one of the

most sought-after performers on the Southern Soul circuit.

Known for hits such as “Twenty Five and Up” and “Drinking Again,” Hollywood has become a local favorite, having performed several shows at El Dorado venues over the past several years.

He was one of the headliners for Soul Fest in June.

The rest of the Showdown musical lineup will remain the same, including featured performers Summer Wolfe and the Mississippi Players, Rhomey, MP Soul, CoCo and Fat Daddy.

Blues Boy Bo will replace P2K as the host of the show. DJ Banks and DJ Big Daddy in Da Mixx will also be on hand to help entertain the crowd.

Jackson said there will

be plenty of food and photo vendors onsite.

Tickets are available at Mr. Mike’s Music and Artwork, 1309 E. Hillsboro; Special Touch in Camden; JB’s in Crossett; Golden Girls in Warren; Record Rack in Pine Bluff; Ugly Mike’s in Little Rock; and Golden Lady in Texarkana.

Tickets may also be purchased in Louisiana at LBK’s in Farmerville; Martha’s Boutique in Ruston; and Poppa’s Liquor in Arcadia.

For more information, call Jackson at 870-8667441.