By CARLA BRAY
Staff Writer

The city will cancel Widespread Panic’s free concert unless the band’s record label comes up with $40,000 by tonight, according to the Athens Downtown Development Authority.

But Philip Walden, vice president for business affairs at Capricorn Records, gave no indication in a telephone interview Thursday that the company would provide any money for the concert.

ACC City Manager Al Crace has estimated the cost to the city – for extra security and clean-up – at more than $60,000.

"The Authority is asking if Capricorn will have a check to us by tomorrow evening," ADDA Director Art Jackson said Thursday.

He said the check would make ADDA "feel comfortable" with submitting a special-events permit to the city.

"If not, we won’t be able to go forward with the show," Jackson said.

Jackson said ACC Mayor Gwen O’Looney is negotiating with the record label.

But Walden said he and city officials are discussing only the potential financial shortfall to the city and that he doesn’t want anyone to be left "holding the bag" on April 19, the day after the concert.

"We’re just in conversations trying to make sure the show comes off successfully and safely," Walden said.

Walden said the number of people expected to be in town – between 20,000 and 50,000, according to Jackson – shouldn’t present a problem.

"Widespread Panic has been generous enough to play for nothing when they could be getting paid a lot of money," Walden said. "They’re trying to do something good for the city of Athens."