14887fan
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Post by 14887fan on Oct 31, 2017 18:59:13 GMT -5
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." --- Figured this deserved its own thread, rather than to just get buried in the News & Non-Singles thread, given the calamity of this situation.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2017 19:02:54 GMT -5
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.
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.indulgecountry
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Best Country Poster 2011, 2017, & 2018
"You left a mark on my face // And brought a dozen red flags in a vase"
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Post by .indulgecountry on Oct 31, 2017 19:02:56 GMT -5
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.
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seak05
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Post by seak05 on Oct 31, 2017 19:44:48 GMT -5
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.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2017 20:04:08 GMT -5
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.
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carriekins
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Post by carriekins on Nov 1, 2017 12:29:09 GMT -5
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.)
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fearlessarrow
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Post by fearlessarrow on Nov 1, 2017 12:44:47 GMT -5
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.
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Post by jasonthescott on Nov 1, 2017 12:46:33 GMT -5
Well, well, well... Kirt Webster, powerful Nashville music exec, shutters firmInfluential 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
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14887fan
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Post by 14887fan on Nov 1, 2017 14:46:10 GMT -5
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 companyâs work for its clients will continue under the leadership of Jeremy Westby, Websterâs longtime colleague. Meanwhile, Webster will take time away from the business to âfocus on combating the egregious and untrue allegations made against him,â 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 Relationsâ website that the firm has been closed. This was stated incorrectly. Webster Public Relations will continue operating â but under the name Westby Public Relations â while Kirt Webster takes some time away from the business to focus on combating the egregious and untrue allegations made against him. The companyâs work on behalf of its clients will continue under the leadership of Jeremy Westby, Kirtâs longstanding colleague. Additionally, former Webster PR staffer Scott Adkins announced the launch of his own PR firm today.
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jhomes87
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Post by jhomes87 on Nov 1, 2017 14:52:36 GMT -5
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.
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tryexp
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Post by tryexp on Nov 1, 2017 15:46:23 GMT -5
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.
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Post by No Goodbye Coco, Hello Coco on Nov 5, 2017 13:18:38 GMT -5
Iâm late to this, but I felt the need to respond, and I appreciate this topic having its own thread.
Iâve been a Country fan for years, but as Iâve gotten older the Country music industry and holier than thou âWeâre so moral because we love Jesus and our mamaâs!â attitude has gotten more and more unacceptable and disgusting.
The chauvinistic, vile attitude from that DJ is so disgusting and itâs the perfect example of the industry using the IDEA of morality and image to sell records.
Saying that the audience/PDâs âneed to find you alluringâ is no dumber than saying âShe shouldnât have worn such a slutty outfit if she didnât want to be raped!â
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.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2018 23:28:33 GMT -5
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.
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tryexp
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Post by tryexp on Jan 16, 2018 15:18:35 GMT -5
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14887fan
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Post by 14887fan on Jan 30, 2018 13:44:32 GMT -5
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jhomes87
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â« When I hear the sound of high tide thunder I can see your hair blowing in the breeze.. âȘ
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Post by jhomes87 on Jan 30, 2018 17:08:02 GMT -5
Why am I not surprised...
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