Why are Masters Week concerts with Blake Shelton, Nelly, Tim McGraw, Pitbull and Jimmy Buffett now unlikely?

All signs are pointing to a new Masters Week concert series being called off after construction problems were reported at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

The XPR Augusta website said Thursday all ticket sales were suspended and that existing ticket-holders would be notified “of any event changes.”

The series, produced by Las Vegas event producer C4 Live, was to feature Blake Shelton and Nelly, Tim McGraw and Pitbull and Jimmy Buffett in three concerts April 6, 7 and 8. Each included luxury VIP sections and high-end food and beverage service intended to appeal to Masters Tournament visitors.

But two weeks ago, C4 Live said construction of a temporary stage and VIP area had to be halted due to soil instability.

Spokespeople for the company have not returned requests for comment since then.

The Augusta Economic Development Authority had sub-leased the city-owned former Augusta GreenJackets Stadium to C4 Live in 2020 after about five months of contract negotiations.

EDA Executive Director Cal Wray said Wednesday it was unlikely the shows would go on this year, due to safety concerns.

“I’m not holding my breath for this year, just because we’re 2½ weeks out,” Wray said. “It’s a safety issue. I know I would rather it be postponed until next year and get the safety right and get the venue right and have an outstanding event, than having an unsafe, average event year one.”

Any concert mishap could be deadly, and Wray said still fresh in mind is the Astroworld Festival in Houston. At least 10 were killed in a Nov. 5 crowd surge.

The danger at Olmstead is the soil’s ability to support the large stage structures and VIP areas C4 was building in the stadium, he said.

Augusta Commissioner Alvin Mason recently mused over why the issues only came to light a month before the Masters Tournament.

It isn’t the first time the soil stability has been in question. During the 2019 Papa Joe’s Banjo-B-Q Music Festival, a truck was observed sinking into the dirt, according to Wray.

The EDA’s contract with C4 gives the firm access to the stadium 80 days a year for 10 years. In return, C4 would invest $1.7 million to $2 million within three years for capital improvements that would become city property.

It included no requirement that C4 provide a certain variety or number of performances, he said.

More: Rock Fore! Dough returns live on April 5 with Darius Rucker, Jordan Davis, Ray Fulcher

The Augusta government had “had no planning role” in the agreement with C4, Wray said. The lease was for the property “as is,” and the city has no liability for concerts not being held there.

“The whole situation is unfortunate for everybody, including C4, because they have millions of dollars tied up in it,” Wray said.

Two unrelated Masters Week events are scheduled to return. Rock Fore! Dough, the 18th annual fundraising concert for First Tee Augusta that will feature Darius Rucker, Jordan Davis and Ray Fulcher as well as Charles Kelley of Lady A, is set for Tuesday, April 5, at Lady A Pavilion at Evans Town Center Park. Tickets are available at rockforedough.com.

Tickets also are on sale for the Major Rager to be held Saturday, April 9, at the Sharon Jones Amphitheater, next to SRP Park in North Augusta. The concert, a Masters Week offering since 2014, will feature Athens-based rock band Future Birds and opening act Easily Amused. Tickets start at $30 at fwbpro.com.