Sexual Assault in Country Music

[14887fan]

I'm extremely surprised this hasn't been brought up yet, as it's starting to circulate across the news and Twitter.

While I hate Fox News with a raging passion, they were one of the first ones to publish this story about Katie Armiger being blacklisted by the country music community after she left Cold River Records. Today, Billboard published an article revolving around a Nashville label head heralding the city as an "island of morality."

Katie is now all over Twitter calling out this "island of morality" crap, mentioning some of the recent headline-grabbing sexual assault allegations against country music radio programmers, industry executives, etc., including Taylor Swift's recent lawsuit against the fired DJ from Denver, Meghan Lindsey's experience, when Margo Price's drink was spiked, and even today's newest story about a former country singer named Austin Rick who was sexually assaulted for over a year by Webster PR's CEO, Kirt Webster.

A few interesting and frightening tidbits from the newly-published email featured in the Billboard article, which is from Armiger's former label president Pete O'Heeren:

"I'm sorry...I don't think any of this it [sic] out of line. We are trying to show you what others are doing in the market. If that makes you uncomfortable, I'm very sorry...but that's the market you operate in. You can choose to accept our advice or not. Taylor Swift hugged and kissed these guys...so did Kellie Pickler and Kelsea Ballerini...if you choose not to, then that's up to you and your career will be impacted. Advising you to dress edgy is not out of line either. It's no different than Luke Bryan wearing tight pants and shaking his ass for the girls...or Chase Rice wearing muscle shirts...or Miranda [Lambert] losing weight and wearing bustiers and plunging neckline shirts...it's all the same. The audience and the PDs need to find you alluring...it's my advice. I can't...and won't force you to do any of these things...but I spend a lot of time assessing the competition and I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't advise you of this. NONE of this is out of line."

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Figured this deserved its own thread, rather than to just get buried in the News & Non-Singles thread, given the calamity of this situation.

[Deleted]

That guy doing that false equivalent bulls**t is so annoying. No, it's not the same. Women shouldn't be definedto flirting with Radio Pds just to get radio play. That's sexist and just plain wrong. Ugh. Kudos to Katie Armiger for standing up for what's right.

[.indulgecountry]

Thank you so much for giving this its own thread, because with all the drama that's been going on lately out of Hollywood, it's definitely deserving of its own, distinct spotlight as well.

[seak05]

Sexual assault happens everywhere, in every town, every city, every profession. This idea that there is a place where it doesn't happen, or that someone has some moral high ground is such BS. And as this email shows, the real truth is that it's just not considered poor behavior. Never mind illegal and assault. Time to shine a light in Nashville too.

[Deleted]

Such a ugly problem that plagues over world, I'm a guy but the level of sexual assault many women face is just grossly wrong and immoral and it's clear to anyone who has common sense
Looks shouldn't be what gets you success and fame, yet that sadly has become something that runs commonly in the world

People should be comfortable in their own skin, as inner beauty offsets the worth of appearances by a long shot.

[carriekins]

And yet I was basically told I was full of crap highlighting the various instances of women objectification in country lyrics.

I hate to say this, but I REALLY hope men are taking a really hard look at how they conduct themselves, because NONE OF THIS IS OKAY AND IT NEVER HAS BEEN.

(And yes, I realize that women can be perpetrators of assault as well, but this seems to be an epidemic for men against women, primarily.)

[fearlessarrow]

What stands out to me in this situation is not only the fact that there was sexual harassment, but also how normalized sexual harassment is in the country music industry, as demonstrated in the comment in the OP from Katie Armiger's former label president. It's almost making it seem like condoning sexual harassment gives you an upper hand if you want to succeed in the country industry (and I'm thinking part of this is true). It's very frustrating because corporate radio favors male artists for airplay so female artists already have a difficult time getting airplay, and radio PDs can use this fact to take advantage of female artists. 

[jasonthescott]

Well, well, well...

Kirt Webster, powerful Nashville music exec, shutters firm

Influential Nashville music executive Kirt Webster has shuttered his business, according to a post on the company's website.

Webster Public Relations' clients have included Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and Hank Williams, Jr. No explanation for the closure was given.

"As of November 1, 2017, Webster PR is no longer in business," the post read.

Client inquiries were directed to another associate affiliated with Webster PR.

www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2017/11/01/kirt-webster-powerful-nashville-music-exec-shutters-firm/821453001/?hootPostID=a45868a2e8916d4eb74e41ee5ec307f9

[14887fan]

Update: (via Music Row)
[Updated, 2:12 p.m. CT]

Webster Public Relations is set to continue operating under the name Westby Public Relations, according to a statement received by MusicRow.

The company’s work for its clients will continue under the leadership of Jeremy Westby, Webster’s longtime colleague. Meanwhile, Webster will take time away from the business to “focus on combating the egregious and untrue allegations made against him,” the statement says.

An earlier statement had appeared on the Webster PR website Wednesday morning, saying the business was no longer in operation.

The new statement addresses the posting:

Earlier today, it was mistakenly posted on the Webster Public Relations’ website that the firm has been closed. This was stated incorrectly. Webster Public Relations will continue operating – but under the name Westby Public Relations – while Kirt Webster takes some time away from the business to focus on combating the egregious and untrue allegations made against him. The company’s work on behalf of its clients will continue under the leadership of Jeremy Westby, Kirt’s longstanding colleague.

Additionally, former Webster PR staffer Scott Adkins announced the launch of his own PR firm today.

[jhomes87]

At least he spells his name differently Kurt.

I hadn't heard of Kirt Webster before but if the allegations against him are true...that's just messed up on so many levels. Sadly, one of the situations in the OP -- the Cold River one -- doesn't surprise me. :'(

Also, lmao at the thought of Nashville being some sort of "island of morality". I get a lot of vibes from different aspects of the country music industry that say otherwise.

[tryexp]

Even if not all of the offenders get prosecuted and convicted, these should make criminals think twice before trying to sexually assault/blackmail someone into accept such things. Hopefully the time has come to stop sweeping these problems under the rug and more people will feel safe reporting these issues.

It does make me wonder how many suits are settled out of court just to keep it quiet.

[No Goodbye Coco, Hello Coco]

I’m late to this, but I felt the need to respond, and I appreciate this topic having its own thread.

I’ve been a Country fan for years, but as I’ve gotten older the Country music industry and holier than thou “We’re so moral because we love Jesus and our mama’s!” attitude has gotten more and more unacceptable and disgusting.

The chauvinistic, vile attitude from that DJ is so disgusting and it’s the perfect example of the industry using the IDEA of morality and image to sell records.

Saying that the audience/PD’s “need to find you alluring” is no dumber than saying “She shouldn’t have worn such a slutty outfit if she didn’t want to be raped!”

And, newsflash, many people listen to music to be entertained, and not simply to view talented people as sexual objects.

What a sick & disgusting attitude.



Good for Katie, and any other woman brave enough to speak out.

This needs to stop and no woman (or man), should ever be intimated into silence.

[Deleted]

You know with all the Sexual Assault, #metoo, and all this other important stuff really dominating the news and media for about 2 to 3 months now. I wonder if country radio and country music themselves are starting to or will let more women in or at least letting more hits potentially happening.


I mean country radio hasn't been kind to women for so long now. But with equality of genders and treatment really dominating the news, my gut is telling me that country radio in 2018 is gonna take notice and hopefully start rewarding more women hits or at least more of a prescence on country radio.

[tryexp]

New article on Rolling Stone...Nothing really unexpected there, but a confirmation of why there is a lack of females in country radio, and how people that keep preaching that country radio is a haven are terrible human beings and possibly accessories in these situations.

Inside Country Radio's Dark, Secret History of Sexual Harassment and Misconduct

[14887fan]

David Mueller, the Denver radio DJ who was, by trial, found *guilty* of groping Taylor Swift during a meet & greet, has been hired as a new morning DJ and as a marketing consultant at Greenwood’s KIX 92.7 in Mississippi. Full (aggravating) article here: www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/dj-accused-groping-taylor-swift-new-radio-job-article-1.3787999

Please, don’t listen to this station. Actively protest it. This is bull.

[jhomes87]

Jan 30, 2018 13:44:32 GMT -5 14887fan said:

David Mueller, the Denver radio DJ who was, by trial, found *guilty* of groping Taylor Swift during a meet & greet, has been hired as a new morning DJ and as a marketing consultant at Greenwood’s KIX 92.7 in Mississippi. Full (aggravating) article here: www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/dj-accused-groping-taylor-swift-new-radio-job-article-1.3787999

Please, don’t listen to this station. Actively protest it. This is bull.

Why am I not surprised...