Walker Stalkers LLC’s Fan Fest Nashville Appears To Be A Disaster

Walker Stalkers LLC’s “Fan Fest Nashville” is currently taking place right now, and from all accounts it has been a complete disaster. The event, which was originally supposed to take place last August, has seen a number of guest cancellations, an almost empty venue, and (if what’s been alleged on social media is true) is only functioning because Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman of all people has stepped up to pay the bills.

#FanFestNashville pic.twitter.com/pUqAIH4MfV

— Jalaina MacManus² (@babyjaetn) January 4, 2020

The venue for the event is the Williamson County AG Center, but seems to largely sit empty. A number of guests cancelled their appearances, including Tyler Mane and Michael Rowe (who both remain listed on the convention’s website).

We have not been able to confirm this, but allegedly Walker Stalkers LLC owner James Frazier is out of the country for personal reasons. Instead the onsite staff is being managed by Michael DeVault. DeVault, some of you may remember, resigned as CEO of Walker Stalkers LLC after only one week on the job. DeVault had taken over after Frazier had resigned as CEO in the wake of an incident with guest Angel Theory at the company’s Atlanta event. It hasn’t been clear who was running their events since then, but most had assumed Frazier (who still owns the company) had resumed leadership.

According to several social media posts, the company has had a hard time finding staff for the event.

Yes – 3 Sources confirmed. 5 ppl are at a hotel with DeVault (former interim CEO – LMAO), but everyone else left and are not returning. It's like, a switch FINALLY flipped in their head. LOL.

— (っ◔◡◔)っ 𝕄𝕚ᔕ𝕥𝕪 (@Tha_Mist) January 3, 2020

The event appears to be desperate for attendees. Reportedly they are allowing, with a screenshot of a page’s Facebook post, free entry to Fan Fest Nashville. From all accounts though, due to the lack of staff on the floor, there are very few attempts at badge checking at the convention at all. This has led some people who paid large amounts for VIP entry to resent the purported chaos.

Went to #fanfest because my parents got gold VIP but a lot of the celebs they wanted to see backed out. Complete waste of time. Parents bought $500 tickets for literally nothing as they're not checking badges and VIP means literally NOTHING. Even the "gifts" aren't here for VIP

— William L. Bittinger (@barheyden) January 4, 2020

The lack of staff has also led to an alleged lack of weapons and safety check for props, which has alarming implications for the event’s security as well.

They also aren’t checking cosplay weapons. I walked by several cops with my crossbow and not one stopped. They don’t care. I’m sorry you had to deal with that.

— ☠ Dani ☠ (@DarylsLilBitch) January 4, 2020

One of the more distressing pieces of information that’s been floating around, from a business standpoint at least, is that there are allegations that the convention didn’t pay for many of the guest’s accommodations or fees. We have not been able to independently confirm this, but it appears that one of the convention’s other guests (Doug Chapman) and his team have had to step up to keep the proverbial lights on this weekend. Though not without not without criticism, Chapman seems to be the main reason Fan Fest Nashville has been functional at all.

I am at #fanfestNashville and @DogBountyHunter is the 1 taking care of staff and guests. He is financially doing what the people in charge should have

— tara j (@taracjohnson77) January 4, 2020

💢💢MORE PICS💢💢

Getting reports Dog's team paid 4catering 4Green Room/Other Celebs&also 4Staff &Volunteers. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

His team ALSO spent alot of last night doing airport runs, picking up celebs. 😑#FanFestNashville #wsc #FFNASH #wsc #hvff #Fanfestevents #fanfest pic.twitter.com/1fIK8l9bFW

— (っ◔◡◔)っ 𝕄𝕚ᔕ𝕥𝕪 (@Tha_Mist) January 4, 2020

We reached out to Walker Stalkers LLC for comment on this story, but have yet to receive a response. Honestly, none of this is a great look for an event the Tennessee Better Business Bureau called a “scam” last summer. It’s hard to see how any of this is going to continue forward, considering the ongoing financial issues that seem to continue to rock the company, the number of high profile guests no longer willing to appear, and the apparent general chaos surrounding the company’s leadership.

I don’t think anyone would be surprised if Fan Fest Nashville turned out to be the last convention this company ever runs.

Can you clarify? Bragging rights that a guest had to pay for food, rooms, and transportation for everyone? That people who paid $1100+ got nothing more than those let in for free? Or that you assisted with JF robbing others of thousands of dollars again?

— Richard Feezle (@Feezle) January 5, 2020

This is the most disappointed i've been in a long time. I'm not even going to the Sunday event. I will take this as a loss and find a better convention…this is is for FanFest…

— Kevin A (@TheKevinA) January 5, 2020

We will update this story if any new information becomes available.