Little Opry manager pleads not guilty to arson

The manager of a Nashville concert hall that hosted some of country music's top acts pleaded not guilty Tuesday to arson charges in connection with a 2009 blaze that destroyed the venue.

A judge set a June 6 trial for 75-year-old James Bowyer, Brown County Prosecutor Jim Oliver said.

Defense attorney John Boren didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Oliver said he filed additional charges of arson with intent to defraud, alleging Bowyer set fire to the Little Nashville Opry so he could defraud an insurance company. Court documents show the music hall was insured for more than $3 million.

Bowyer was arrested earlier this month by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Indiana fire marshal and the Brown County sheriff.

Eight samples of fire debris showed traces of ignitable liquids, and part of the Opry's sprinkler system had been disconnected, ATF Special Agent Michael Vergon said in a probable cause affidavit.

Despite hosting many of country music's top acts since it opened in 1975, the 2,000-seat Little Nashville Opry was deep in debt at the time of the fire, as were Bowyer and sole owner Esther Hamilton, according to the affidavit.

The Opry owed more than $280,000 in property taxes, vendor invoices, insurance and performer fees at the time of the fire, he said. Bowyer had gambling losses of more than $160,000 and just $148 in his savings account at the time of the fire, the affidavit said. Hamilton had gambling losses of $150,000 over four years and debts totaling about $685,000 at the time of the fire, Vergon alleged.

Hamilton has not been charged, and prosecutors have said there's no evidence that anyone but Bowyer was involved in the fire.