57 South Music Fest Case Returns to Court September 14 as City Continues Seeking Financial Records, Citizens Demand Accountability
By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
EAGLE PASS, Texas — More than two years after the controversial 57 South Music Fest was held during April 5-7, 2024 prior to the April 8 total solar eclipse, the legal battle surrounding the event’s finances is scheduled to return to state district court later this month.
A status hearing in the City of Eagle Pass case against Jesse A. Minton and Just 1 Management, LLC is scheduled for September 14, 2026, as the City continues seeking financial records connected to the festival and attempting to determine whether money remains owed to the municipality.
The hearing represents another step in a dispute that has continued long after the music stopped and crowds left the festival grounds. Eagle Pass taxpayers demand the City be transparent and accountable on the estimated $2.3 million loss of general revenues arising from the fiasco music festival.
The City spent more than $2 million in public funds associated with the 57 South Music Fest, which had been promoted as a major music and tourism attraction expected to capitalize on thousands of visitors traveling to Eagle Pass for the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse.
Instead, the event became the subject of criticism and questions over attendance, expenditures, ticket revenue and the overall financial return to taxpayers. The music festival site venue of Shelby Park was changed precipitously one month before the event to the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel.
Those questions eventually made their way into Maverick County District Court.
According to a sworn affidavit filed by City Finance Director Felix Castillo, the City entered into a Manager Master Services Agreement with Minton, owner of Just 1 Management, around March 1, 2024. An addendum to the agreement followed in April.Castillo stated that the agreements required Minton to deliver contracted revenue and ticket-sale proceeds to the City within 30 days following the April 8 event.
According to the affidavit, the City has not received that revenue.The City estimated that more than $100,000 could potentially be owed. However, that figure remains preliminary because officials say they have not obtained all of the financial documentation necessary to determine exactly how much money was generated and what amount, if any, should have been turned over to the City.
No court has determined that Minton owes the City $100,000, nor has a court ruled that a breach of contract occurred.
At the heart of the case are financial records the City says it needs concerning ticket revenue, festival expenditures, performer payments, payment logs, receipts and other documentation associated with the event.
Castillo stated that reports, plans, electronic files and other documents prepared under the agreement were identified as property of the City.
City officials and the municipality’s financial auditor sought the records as part of completing the City’s required annual audit and evaluating whether additional legal action to recover money would be financially justified.
The City filed a Rule 202 petition on August 21, 2025, seeking Minton’s testimony and production of records before potentially pursuing a formal lawsuit.
Several attempts were subsequently made to serve Minton at his San Antonio residence. His attorney eventually accepted service in October 2025 while preserving Minton’s other legal rights.The case later underwent another change after Judge Amado Abascal recused himself. Senior Judge Camile Dubose was assigned to Cause No. 25-08-44811-MCVAJA in May 2026.
Now, more than two years after the festival and more than a year after the City initiated the court proceeding, the September 14 status hearing could provide a clearer picture of where the case stands and what comes next.
For Eagle Pass taxpayers, however, the fundamental questions have changed very little.
How much money did the 57 South Music Fest actually generate?
How much was the City contractually entitled to receive? What do the financial records show, and will taxpayers ultimately recover any additional money from an event that cost the City more than $2 million?Until those questions are answered, the 57 South Music Fest remains an unfinished financial and legal chapter for the City of Eagle Pass.
