When Blake Shelton belts out "The More I Drink" at his March 20 concert at The Arena in Corbin, concert goers will not be raising a cup of beer to salute the country music star.
That’s because the concert originally scheduled for Friday, March 18, is now being held on Sunday. The ordinance that permits sales of alcoholic beverages within the Corbin City Limits, does not permit the sale of alcohol on Sundays.
"There is no Sunday sales and that’s it," said Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney when asked if there was any way the Corbin City Commission could enact a one-time waiver for the event.
Though McBurney did not have any figures, he said the lack of alcohol sales will likely result in thousands of dollars in lost revenue.
Under the city ordinance, there is a seven percent city liquor tax. Any proceeds from the tax for the sale of alcohol at the Arena goes back to the Arena.
McBurney noted this will not be the first such concert held at the Arena where alcohol was not available. When country acts Montgomery Gentry and Alan Jackson and rock group Three Doors Down played at the Arena in 2009, there were no alcohol sales.
A scheduling conflict forced promoters to reschedule Shelton’s concert. Arena Manager Connie Hunt said March 30 was the next date that was mutually agreeable to the parties. Ticket sales for the concert are good and it may result in additional sections being made available for sale.
Hunt noted the number of seats available for a concert varies depending on the size of the stage and the rigging and lighting used by the artist.
"The way things are going, we are expecting about 5,000 people for the show," Hunt said.
As to the lack of alcohol sales possibly hurting ticket sales or attendance, Hunt noted while ticket holders have the opportunity to return their tickets because of the new date, only a handful have done so.
Tickets are still available at the Arena box office or through Ticketmaster.
