Last week I wrote an article about Big Time Entertainment â€" specifically regarding the shows they put on at Hell’s Kitchen and Studio 7 in Seattle.  For months now Bon Von Wheelie, Girl Trouble’s drummer, has been ranting and raving about BTE â€" alleging the company tricks young bands into paying to play. “Pay to play” is one of the dirtiest,  most hated phrases in the history of local music scenes, and as the name implies, simply means bands being required to fork over  money to get on stage.

In the article I wrote BTE did not return my emails seeking comment. At the time of last week’s deadline, they hadn’t. The day after deadline they did, and were eager to offer their two cents on the topic. During a three way call on Monday, Oct. 22, I spoke with Ryan Kintz and Dan Robertson, cofounders of Big Time Entertainment, if not to set the record straight, then certainly to balance the story.

“(Von Wheelie) called us a scam. We don’t appreciate it. We don’t deceive our bands and we’re not dishonest. The definition of scam is to deceive and be dishonest. We don’t do that,” explained Kintz.

“In regards to pay to play, that’s a misconception. When a band turns in their money, they get paid. It’s irritating to hear that stuff. There are a bunch of different expenses not being taken into consideration.

“If a band wants to do it themselves, that’s fine. But a lot of bands don’t, and we help them. A lot of the bands we work with come from referrals from other bands we’ve worked with that were happy.”

Asked if, under any circumstance, a band would ever owe money to BTE after playing one of their shows, Kintz responded “no.”

BTE official website is www.bigtimeentertainment.net. Last week I incorrectly listed it as www.bigtimeentertainment.com.

They’ve created a feedback Web site, seemingly in response to these allegations, located here.