Money issues that prompted the closing of the Piney Woods Rooters-Texan Theatre in January have now resulted in criminal charges against the theater’s CEO, Curtis Lee Smith, 57, of Cleveland. A warrant for Smith’s arrest was issued last week and on Feb. 8 he surrendered to officers at Cleveland Police Department.
Smith was booked into the Cleveland PD jail on a charge of Theft of Service, more than $2,500 but less than $30,000.
The charge against Smith stems from a contract with a music artist who performed at the theater in October 2023.
“The artist told police investigators that Smith had agreed to pay for the performance at the end of the show. Upon completion of the show, Smith wrote the artist a check, but when the artist attempted several times to cash the check, it returned ‘void,'” said Cleveland Police Chief Darrel Broussard.
According to Broussard, the artist reportedly tried several times to contact Smith without success, leaving her no choice but to proceed with criminal charges.
Smith went before Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Ralph Fuller, who set his bond at $5,000. Smith has been released from custody after posting his bail.
In August 2022, it was announced that the Texan Theatre, which had operated as a movie theater for 89 years, was reopening as a music venue. The theater and Smith received praise for bringing some big talents to the Cleveland area, including the Bellamy Brothers, Johnny Lee, Janie Fricke, Doug Stone, and McBride and the Ride.
The theater struggled for months to get people to attend the concerts, which were costly to put together, Smith had said previously.
He priced the locals out with his inflated ticket prices. Maybe he should have started a little smaller to build a following.
Curt tried to do something good for the town of Cleveland. He loves music and thought we all did too. I went to several concerts and enjoyed everyone. I will miss the music.