After years of silence, the Overton Park Shell is set to relaunch as the Levitt Shell in early September with a season of free concerts. But just weeks before that highly anticipated opening, there has been a sudden change in the venue's leadership.

On Friday, the Friends of the Levitt Shell -- the organization that governs and manages the facility -- announced that Chip Pankey, who had served as executive director of the Shell since the beginning of the year, is being replaced.

Pankey's replacement is Oxford, Miss., entertainment attorney Anne Pitts.

Friends of the Levitt Pavillion board vice-president Jeff Goldstein says the change was necessary, despite the less than ideal timing.

"Chip helped us move forward and booked a wonderful season for us," Goldstein said. "But we had reached some differences in management with him and we realized we're going to need to make a change.

"We thought it best to go ahead and make the change prior to the opening of the season."

Reached for comment, Pankey echoed Goldstein's sentiments.

"We have a difference of opinion regarding the management of the Levitt Shell," he said. "Instead of that difference becoming an obstacle, we decided to part ways amicably."

Incoming executive director Pitts will have several weeks to relocate to Memphis and get up to speed on the job. For the upcoming season, she will be assisted by Sam Tibbs, formerly with Memphis-based syndicated radio program "Beale Street Caravan," who will serve as production manager.

The news of Pankey's departure is the latest hiccup in the long journey towards redeveloping the historic Memphis music venue, which had been in disuse since the mid-'90s.

The Shell's fortunes changed in 2005 with the involvement of the Mortimer Levitt Foundation, a Los Angeles-based family charity dedicated to reviving band shells throughout the United States.

With financial help from the Levitt Foundation and several local organizations, the Shell has been given a $1million-plus makeover.

The venue's free inaugural five-week season is set to kick off Sept. 4 with a performance by local roots singer-songwriter Amy LaVere.

Before his departure, Pankey had put together a music calendar encompassing five general categories: R&B/soul/gospel, Americana (which includes folk, bluegrass and jazz), children's concerts, musica Latina and world rhythms.

Friends of the Levitt Shell board president Barry Lichterman says the venue's mission and its booking policies will remain intact despite Pankey's exit.

"The philosophy and the themes in terms of the different genres of music, all that is going to stay the same," said Lichterman.

-- Bob Mehr: 529-2517