Not Our Greatest Moment

When the highest rated show on cable TV gets involved with a Country music story, you know we are in uncertain times.

Country stars helped recently divide the Republic a little more, crossing swords on the gender war issue.

Both sides are at fault…sorry. From the Dolly Parton school of stay out of politics, politics are a dangerous place to operate when you are trying to sell hamburgers to everybody!

Mrs. Aldean and husband Jason have danced around the bull fight ring with a red blanket via social media showing their time at President Trump’s house in South Florida, pictures playing golf, posing at New Year’s, etc. That is the equivalent of waving a red flag at a bull. Their absolute right to be seen with a former president is clear…as dozens of Country stars have done over the years. But you are going to offend the other team, as many Country stars have also done.

The flash point in this event happened when a controversial gender issue was mentioned by Mrs. Aldean on social media. Seemed like a harmless comment on first read, but it was explosive, especially when people who don’t like you are ready to jump on, comment and scream.

Firing back on social media, Ms. Morris called Mrs. Aldean a “scumbag” and named her “Insurrection Barbie.” That made national news. (Calling someone a “scumbag” is not something we see often in polite conversation—so between famous people it makes news.) It’s one thing to disagree, but to reach down to the “scumbag” level can have consequences.

Tucker Carlson jumped to the defense of Mrs. Aldean and called Ms. Morris a “fake Country singer” and a “lunatic.” Pretty rough speech too, but not quite the scumbag level. (That’s a really nasty word that I bet she regrets…maybe.)

Jason Aldean soon after saw his publicity company fire him, saying they are not the best people for the gig right now. Seventeen years working with Jason? Wow! That got a lot of attention on The Row and elsewhere. Ever seen a label put out a press release when they drop someone? You haven't. It happens behind the scenes, and folks eventually figure it out. While there was no press release here either, a choice was made to make a statement to tell others they were distancing themselves from the war. Maren went to social media again to say she’s taken in over $100,000 in one day selling Maren Morris Lunatic Country Music Person shirts. The money goes to support Trans Lifeline and GLAAD Transgender Media programs.

A holiday cease fire came after that.

We have a divided country and a divided Country music family. Team Brittany and Team Maren have strong support.

If there was a Country King or Queen they would order both sides to be quiet and stay out of politics and controversial subjects, but we don’t.

The cancel Morgan Wallen effort backfired. He is stronger than anyone predicted. He’s a stadium level act in 2023…wiser and more mature post-event too, it seems.

In this event, I predict everyone involved will lose. The left and the right will fight behind the scenes. The Red State Aldean supporters will look unfavorably towards Morris.

Maybe if all sides don't take the media bait this will calm down. We are in a heightened political season with the midterms coming up.

Woke and cancel are two words the industry should distance itself from. The folks who damaged the Dixie Chicks still exist. As someone once said, you can’t unring a bell. So it’s best to try and not ring the bell in the first place.

Hopefully a lot of future social commenters will keep their keyboards on ice and not write the first thing that comes out.

Pick your side, but do so knowing you are dividing the pie that’s already divided.

Stay mysterious and write big checks to your favorite causes. You will help the causes more and you might save your career.

Hope this all has a happy ending in some regard.