Travis Tritt backs out of tornado concert

JOPLIN, Mo., Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Country star Travis Tritt says he pulled out of Sunday's benefit concert for Missouri tornado relief because his expenses would have been covered by donations.

Tritt said on his Facebook page he did not feel right about taking money people had chipped in to help people affected by the twisters that struck Joplin this spring.

"It is inappropriate and wrong to take contributions that were given to help victims of the tornadoes and use that money for any other purpose," Tritt wrote. "I was not aware nor would I have even contemplated accepting the city's offer had I known where the money was coming from."

Tritt added that Joplin officials had told his agents they hoped to cover the donations spent on the concert with funds from sponsors. The singer said "hope is not good enough for me."

City officials responded that all of the upfront costs for the show had been covered and any additional revenues would be invested in a foundation set up to assist tornado victims, KSPR-TV, Springfield, Mo., said Sunday.