West Roxbury gospel-concert organizer sues gospel performer and his talent agency for backing out of an arena concert at the last minute

Boston Mega Praise, headquartered in an office park off VFW Parkway in West Roxbury, today sued gospel performer Phil Thompson - born in Boston and a former member of a group called Ashmont Hill - and his promoter over the more than $460,000 it says it spent to arrange his attendance at a performance at Worcester's DCU Center last year, which he pulled out of at the last minute.

In its suit, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, Boston Mega Praise says Thompson performed in a show in Atlanta rather than in Worcester that day, and charges that his promoter, Faith Collective of Chicago, screwed over Worcester in favor of Atlanta after realizing it had double booked its clients in two cities several hundred miles apart.

According to the suit, the local concern and Faith Collective signed a contract on Jan. 4 of last year to put Thompson on the bill of the Boston Mega Praise 2023 show on June 9, 2023 for a 45-minute set, and Boston Mega Praise sent in a $4,000 retainer. Boston Mega Praise began having ads and fliers printed up and travel and lodging arrangements made to suit Thompson's tastes, as well as arranging to hire the sound equipment and technicians he preferred. On Jan. 16, the suit says, Boston Mega Praise began radio and social-media ads promoting the concert in general and Thompson's set.

But on April 26, the complaint continues, Faith Collective told the local concern that Thompson "chose not to appear" in Worcester, sorry, we can send you back your $4,000 deposit.

Faith Collective's alleged reason for not following through with Phil Thompson at said DCU Center was that Faith Collective had double-booked Thompson, for the same date, and allegedly upon realizing said error, Faith Collective and Phil Thompson deliberately and capriciously chose the other event in Atlanta, Georgia rather than Boston Mega Praise Inc., Worcester event.

Phil Thompson and Faith Collective were involved in the promotion of the Atlanta event before notifying Boston Mega Praise, Inc. of the alleged double booking and Phil Thompson's improper damaging refusal to honor his contract to appear at the Boston Mega Praise's Worcester event.

Boston Mega Praise, which formally charged Faith Collective with breach of contract, misrepresentation, bad-faith dealing and unfair and deceptive practices, is seeking treble damages for its claimed loss, plus interest and attorneys' fees.

Faith Collective and Thompson have until March 17 to answer the complaint.