Andy Williams Replaces Olivia
HOLMDEL TOWNSHIP Singer Andy Williams is scheduled for a weeklong appearance Aug. 1-6 at the Garden State Arts Center.
He will replace Olivia Newton-John who cancelled her contract and who F. Joseph Carragher, executive director of the N. J. Highway Authority that operates the Arts Center, said had been headed for a sellout. More than 20,000 tickets had been sold and Carragher said the entertainer would have been the best attraction at the Arts Center this year.
Although a contract is not signed with Williams, Carragher said there is a committment with the singer that he will replace the Newton-John series.
New tickets are being printed and letters announcing the “Andy Williams in Concert” show are being sent to subscribers who do not get refunds on series tickets.
However, Carragher said the 13,000 or more single tickets already ordered for the Newton-John concert will either be refunded or exchanged for Williams.
“We are indeed grateful to him for accepting this appearance. He’s a great draw and I think the Arts Center is fortunate in getting Andy Williams. His shows will help immensely and enable us to have the successful season we anticipate,” Carragher said.
William’s contract is being negotiated through James Nederlander, the Arts Center booking agent.
Carragher had said after Miss Newton-John cancelled, without giving a reason, that it would be difficult to find a suitable replacement because many major acts are already booked for the summer months.
This will mark Williams’ fourth concert here. He brought record audiences to each. His first six-day appearance was in 1968, the Arts Center’s premiere season.
He has performed on stage here with composer Michel Legrand and comedian Foster Brooks.
A favorite among young and old alike, Williams in known for his many successful albums, nine of which won Gold Records, and his Emmy Award winning “Andy Williams Show” on TV.
June 7 1977, Ashbury Park Press
Olivia Newton-John Says No to Arts Center Date
HOLMDEL TOWNSHIP - Singer Olivia Newton-John yesterday abrubtly cancelled a week-long engagement at the Garden State Arts Center scheduled for this August.
F. Joseph Carragher. executive director of the N.J. Highway Authority which operates the arts center, said the entertainer’s agent called and said she was backing out of her contract to perform between Aug. 1 and 6. No reasons were given to the authority for the cancellation, Carragher added.
“It angers me that a major entertainer like her would do this to us”, Robert Jablonski, head of the arts center and authority vice chairman. “We had a firm committment, a signed contract. We spent a lot of money publicizing her appearance.”
Carragher said the Newton-John concert series was heading for a sellout.
“We had more than 20,000 tickets sold for that week al-ready,” he added. By far she would have been the best attraction this summer at the arts center.”
The executive director said he has contacted James Nederlender, the arts center booking agent, to find a suitable replacement for the August week.
“We have Julie Andrews, Bing Crosby and John. Davidson in mind as a replacement, Carragher said.” We hope to get the best possible replacement for the week without losing any revenue. It may be difficult because many major acts are booked for the summer months.”
He said arts center officials hope to book a replacement act within the next week.
Those who bought tickets to Newton-John concerts can get a refund or exchange their tickets for the attraction.