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How Long Will This Go On?
January 20, 2017
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Music Row's under-the-radar boycott of the Trump Inauguration went off without a hitch ... Actually the only ones showing up were Music Row folks. Still, the missing "A-Listers" did not go without notice.
Garth Brooks took most of the social media flack. If it hasn't been erased go check out some of the Instagram comments. They were ugly.
On the other side ... Texas artist Kevin Fowler caught flack as did Nicole Kidman for saying anything most would say was neutral. They were met with threats of boycotts.
This is very sad. Last time this really happened was most likely when Nixon beat Humphrey in the late '60s. Trump's found no love from the Alec Baldwins and many of you reading this today. Is it a position that can be continued?
Imagine this scenario: The president's people call artist X and say we need you to go to place X to entertain our troops and accompany the President aboard Air Force One. The artist's people say we are busy on those days (which would be a lie for purposes of this story). The President with the hot Twitter hand asks a second time. Again, no. How many managers would like to take that gamble with your artists career?
Last time I checked, Country music was popular in the RED states and of course in the BLUE as well ... But NYC and LA where there is great BLUE support is not exactly the home of Country. It's the stages in the suburbs of St Louis, Tampa and Cleveland.
Going to war openly or subtly in the social media-driven world would be possibly devastating.
Social Media is red hot and angry ... Blue and Red ... You want to see what some of your fans really feel? Ask them online.
The best policy is to be neutral...Play for the Dems and the Repubs. Never talk politics and stay out of the scope hairs.
Toby Keith was brave to play. He got street cred he didn't really need. Still it was a bold move.
The Director's Guild of America is investigating threats made to union members who worked the inauguration. All these threats of death or boycott. Nothing is secret anymore. Social media can spread faster than light. Better watch where you park your political car. Big talk is cheap ... Having your audience turn against you will be very expensive.
Time to take a breath ... Get the politics on the back burner. Country music has always been Red, White and Blue. Best that everyone better remember that.
A short Rumble today ... Honework: Read the mainstream media about Country and Trump ... several articles on Google ... also read social media ... It is alive and HOT! I thought Music Row was neither Red or Blue ... but GREEN!
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