Charlie Robison Pens Epic Response to Gary Overton’s “You Don’t Exist”
It has been nearly a week since the CEO of the Sony Nashville record label Gary Overton said in an interview with The Tennessean, “If you’re not on country radio, you don’t exist,” and the quote continues to resonate amongst independent country fans and artists, especially in the Texas scene, where many of the top artists enjoy excellent support from loyal fans, yet find their songs being ignored by mainstream country radio.
The first to sound off was Aaron Watson, who upon being credited for having the #1 record in all of country music last week—arguably the first to hold this distinction from a truly independent solo male act—said, “My name is Aaron Watson. I’m not played on country radio. And I have the #1 record in country music this week. I do exist.”
Then on Thursday night, iHeartMedia mega DJ Bobby Bones decided to enter the fracas and take the side of mainstream country radio in an outburst against an article written by Grady Smith for The Guardian. It got even worse when on Friday morning, Aaron Watson went to patch things up with Bobby Bones and ended up getting labeled as being “disrespectful to women” from calling a woman on the Bobby Bones staff “sweetheart.”
This has caused even more Texas country artists to pipe up.
Last night via Facebook, Kevin Fowler posted a link to the Bobby Bones/Aaron Watson story on Saving Country Music, and said,
Since when is it disrespectful to call a woman “sweetheart” or “sweetie”. Evidently Bobby Bones wasn’t raised in Amarillo, TX like Aaron Watson and me. If you know Aaron you know he’s anything but disrespectful to anybody. I wanna hear what the ladies out there have to say.
Then shortly thereafter, Charlie Robison entered his opinion into the public forum in a missive that was as messy as it was epic, punctuated by a “sweetheart” chide of Bobby Bones.
A few words for Gary Overton. I was signed by Warner bros, and Sony during the days I had the patience to smile while ignorant pencil pushing,mullet headed expense account rapists like you ran those labels. I’m on the road right now and just finished putting on a show for the folks in Shreveport. That’s a town u call a blip on ur screen.
I don’t know Aaron Watson well but I do know you well though I’ve never met you. What I know about you is so sad. I spent so many years in Nashville watching you ignorant wastes of space sit behind your big desk and act like me and all the the Texas/Red dirt artists don’t exist. Well Mr. “I have a job today but as soon as Florida/Georgia line goes out of style,and believe me dumbass they will,you will not exist”. Saying that music does not exist unless it’s on the radio is like saying you don’t exist because you never got laid until you got your two week job as the head of Walmart Records.
I probably have a bigger house than you(for the time being because you’ll be back in the Mail room like all the other Nashville (heads). I’ll still be playing for crowds that have been loyal to me for 25 years) lemme cut you in on some people who don’t exist. Willie Nelson,Billy joe Shaver,Robert Keen,Vincent Van Gogh and Picasso didn’t exist for a long time. Guy Clark,Lyle Lovett, and the ever terrible songwriter Steve Earle. When the world of music fans go to bed tonight they’ll be singing these amazing artists in their head. You my friend will be wondering how you could ever reach your unreachable place in the annals of mediocrity. Have fun hovering above your tombstone and listening to people say “who the fuck is that?”as they make they’re way to Townes’s grave. I’m sorry I lost my train of thought,I think it was “who doesn’t exist?” Yep that’s it gary overton. Sweetheart
It appears the “If you’re not on country radio, you don’t exist” quote has become the “Old Farts & Jackasses” rallying cry of 2015.
UPDATE: Florida Georgia Line Calls Out Charlie Robison Over Radio Quotes
February 28, 2015 @ 11:56 am
Charlie da man.
February 28, 2015 @ 12:19 pm
Amen!!
February 28, 2015 @ 12:21 pm
sic em’ Charlie!
February 28, 2015 @ 12:27 pm
Effin’ perfect!
February 28, 2015 @ 12:29 pm
I’ve been Listening to Charlie Robison for quite some time and love his music and what he says is right although his rant was a bit messy That’s what happens when you’re madder than Hell while righting.
Billy Corgan lead singer for Smashing Pumpkins said.
“Particularly in America there’s a very cozy relationship between rock stars and pop stars — and I don’t think that’s a good relationship. Everybody belongs on their own side of the street for a good reason.”
And we are seeing that with country music. You have Country artist teaming with Pop,Hip-Hop and Rap artist just so they can sell more records and have a bigger fan base. I mean hell FGL next album they’re going to be collaborating with Punk Rockers. This working with artist from other genres needs too end.
February 28, 2015 @ 1:24 pm
Any “punk rock” band that would do anything with FGL is not a “punk rock” band. Which band are you referring to?
February 28, 2015 @ 1:30 pm
Holy Jesus in heaven…Good Charlotte??? Are you kidding me??? (note the indignancy in my question marks)
Good Charlotte is not punk rock by ANY true music fan’s definition. Just another example of Overtone (sic) and Bruschetta (sic) trying to create something out of nothing. Unfortunately the types who listen to FGL will buy that shit up.
February 28, 2015 @ 1:39 pm
IDK just something I read. Is it Good Charlotte? I really only listen to one Punk Rock Band and that Dropkick Murphy’s so outside of that I’m clueless when it comes too Punk Rock.
February 28, 2015 @ 2:32 pm
Out of curiosity, I decided to take a quick listen to “The Anthem” by Good Charlotte. The sonic style seems completely punk to me.
February 28, 2015 @ 2:46 pm
It’s pop-punk, which is watered-down nothingness. If East Bay Ray, Klaus Flouride, or Jello Biafra had agreed to something like this that would be a different story all together. It would be worse than Tommy Stinson playing bass for Guns and Roses.
February 28, 2015 @ 3:14 pm
Good Charlotte are “punk” in exactly the way that Florida Georgia Line are “country.” Actually, now that I think about it, it’s a perfect marriage of two paper-thin, worthless “musical” acts. At least if they do something together that means there will only be one crap record out instead of two.
February 28, 2015 @ 3:48 pm
Florida Georgia Line’s sonic style is not country at all. It is a mix of hard rock and rap.
At least Good Charlotte respects the musical foundation of their genre.
March 2, 2015 @ 7:57 am
Punk/Country is alive and well…. HANK III
February 28, 2015 @ 2:29 pm
There is a very good reason for the cozy relationship between rock and pop. The two were the same genre for most of the second half of the 20th century. Rock artists still dream about attaining the peak of global popularity.
February 28, 2015 @ 12:33 pm
Love this, but what’s with the gratuitous shot at Steve Earle?
February 28, 2015 @ 12:56 pm
Sarcasm is sort of how I took it, but it did seem a little out of the blue.
February 28, 2015 @ 1:07 pm
Same read as Trigger here. I can’t imagine the Steve Earle comment was anything but sarcasm.
February 28, 2015 @ 1:22 pm
I took it as a shout-out to Earle. The man obviously has mad respect for him.
February 28, 2015 @ 5:39 pm
I think Robison was reading the press ahead of Earle’s new album. I read in a few interviews that Earle lives in New York (and not east Nashville) because Nashville doesn’t like (or has a need for) his style of writing. Yet, he’s writing songs for Nashville the TV show.
February 28, 2015 @ 12:39 pm
Epic!
February 28, 2015 @ 12:52 pm
Walmart Records, ahahahahahahaha! That was my favorite part.
February 28, 2015 @ 1:12 pm
I love Charlie Robison, and I agree with his statements, but why can’t people use proper punctuation, etc, when they want to articulate a point?
February 28, 2015 @ 1:23 pm
I think the passion took over. You can have impeccable grammar and still miss a your/you’re, their/they’re sometimes.
February 28, 2015 @ 1:41 pm
Yeah you can tell he was mad when he wrote that. It happens to everyone.
February 28, 2015 @ 1:45 pm
Definitely a passionate rant, and well put. I think what Gary said was insanely disrespectful to every hard working artist and crew member that work there ass off to put on a good show and a good record for those of us that ignore mainstream country. My hats off to Charlie and every artist that are “nobody”s in any music genre. We love all that you do and the joy you bring us. Fuck you Bobby Bones and any record execs that only care about the money. You CAN have both great music and a lot of money you assholes.
February 28, 2015 @ 3:01 pm
I feel like he was drinking when he wrote this.
March 1, 2015 @ 9:17 pm
CR? Drinking? In the evening/morning hours?
Rumours!!!!!!!
March 2, 2015 @ 10:59 am
Just typing it all in a phone, I don’t think drinking is Charlie Robison’s thing.
February 28, 2015 @ 3:49 pm
And if anyone has actually listened to Watson’s album, you’d know that in “That’s Why God Loves Cowboys” he changes the the last verse to be inclusive of women by singing “that’s why God loves cowgirls.
Don’t think Bobby Bones influenced that…
February 28, 2015 @ 5:07 pm
I am going to start listening to Texas country music than the trash that comes out of Nashville.
March 2, 2015 @ 10:22 pm
Your site is awesome. You should win an award Trigger and a #1 writer of the year!
March 2, 2015 @ 10:30 pm
Thank you Charlie for standing up.
March 5, 2015 @ 11:50 am
I went out and videotaped many, many hours of Texas Music artists and post clips on my YouTube page to try and get the word out. I don’t charge the artists for this, heck, I’m not that good! I have some of Charlie Robison, his brother Bruce and sister Robyn Ludwick, but most of all, I have clips from mostly unknown, but very talented singer/songwriters from Texas, or at least in Texas. Please give them a look and a listen and hopefully you will be impressed by their talent!!
http://www.youtube.com/texasoutlawvideos
Brad Burns
February 28, 2015 @ 5:12 pm
I have more respect for likes of Charlie Robison he tells it like it is. Mainstream country is all about drinking and messing around. Country music today sound more like rap and pop and trash ewww. Trigger are you going to rant about Chase Rice anytime soon?
February 28, 2015 @ 9:51 pm
We’ll see… Lots to write about.
March 2, 2015 @ 9:52 am
Look up Scott Eversoll on reverbnation. com . This artist has Great songs and needs to be put out there for everyone who likes Real country!
March 2, 2015 @ 10:15 am
Thank you Wendy for listening!
February 28, 2015 @ 5:47 pm
So, so good. “Walmart records” is going into my lexicon.
February 28, 2015 @ 6:55 pm
As a fan of Aaron, Kevin and Charlie, kudos to them all for sticking up for the wonderful music they make. This guys do exist and I would rather listen to them, than any of the “country” music on the radio.
March 1, 2015 @ 4:03 am
This is Charlie’s badass moment!
March 1, 2015 @ 8:34 am
I suppose that Chris Knight, Holly Williams and Jason Isbell do not exist?
Country music will self implode and these real artists will hopefully let the large labels burn to the ground.
March 1, 2015 @ 11:23 am
That is fucking awesome!!!
March 1, 2015 @ 1:41 pm
Trigger, Jack Ingram weighed in today with a pretty eloquent response on his Facebook page.
March 1, 2015 @ 1:54 pm
I’d rather listen to Charlie Robertson than most anything they put on mainstream country radio nowadays ! If I hear one more song bout drinkin moonshine on a tailgate I’ll puke! Them little gel haired punks aint got a clue what country life is really about ! If you want to listen to music produced by real actual artists then Charlie Robertson Robert earl Keen Waylon Jennings Billy Joe Shaver just to git ya started ! Mainstream radio is about selling ad time mainstream so called artists are about selling out to git rich quick ! They know nothing bout writing real music that comes from the heart and soul !
March 1, 2015 @ 8:50 pm
Robison.
March 1, 2015 @ 5:52 pm
Scott Eversoll – Country Music Watered Down: http://youtu.be/kR8MRSBqoPs
March 1, 2015 @ 6:37 pm
That is awesome!!!!!
March 1, 2015 @ 7:19 pm
Thanks Martha for listening! Just my take on the state of country music.
March 2, 2015 @ 9:45 am
What a Great song!!! I found the rest of your Great songs on Reverbnation/ Scott Eversoll. Now that’s Country music !
March 10, 2015 @ 1:59 pm
Thank you Wendy!
March 1, 2015 @ 6:46 pm
Overton is Sony, yeah what he said was stupid but he didn’t give us the God awful FGL…..Big Machine did. Also I have a feeling Overtin was talking about the importance of radio play, but once again people jump on it. I think if this is what it takes to rile the troops if change great, but I don’t like personal attacks. I feel like it just makes the person attaching look small. Jack Ingram had the best response in my humble opinion.
March 2, 2015 @ 12:00 am
I agree we always need to understand this is just music, and people should always come first. But I think Overton’s devaluation of anyone not on radio was the instigator for the vitriol.
March 3, 2015 @ 6:40 pm
Charlie is a very talented singer.
March 22, 2015 @ 6:32 pm
Charlie I love your music. No one thinks you don’t work hard. No one truly thinks that if you aren’t on the radio you aren’t relavent. It’s a metaphor, a figure of speech so to speak. I am sure no one meant to offend, but your personal attacks sure have. SO, how about you go back on your meds and relax? I appreciate your music, and song writing ability. You please yourself while being able to make a living selling your music to your fans. Overton’s job is to support the sony artists while also trying to keep New York, and London off his ass as well as the stockholders and board of directors. And yes it’s about money…always has been. You ever been to Nashville???? Why?? Why did you go to Nashville Charlie??? Why do you charge money at your concerts instead of say…bartering?? Hard to get that many chickens in that Cadillac eh?? I thought so, it’s about money brother and you damn well know it. Not everybody buys your self righteous defender of all that musically good and holy routine.
March 1, 2015 @ 7:22 pm
Absolutely loved the article. Charlie was tough on him, but the guy deserved it. I’d love to interview artists like Charlie and capture their thoughts on the business side of Nashville music–now after so many years. I’m sure there are tons of great stories and heated rivalries from over the years that could fill a blog.
Adam from Bocephus Belongs
March 22, 2015 @ 6:43 pm
Bo- here is a secret. NOBODY in Nashville runs Nashville music. The publishers, record companies, etc. Those execs in Nashville don’t just make shit up out of the blue. Nashville music is still treated like the step child of the music industry when it comes to the business side.Follow the money and you’ll find those decision makers. Most of the people in Nashville grew up in country music and take those jobs hoping to help. Only to find they end up serving 10 masters. most do well for their artists….for a time.
March 1, 2015 @ 9:14 pm
I had this converstation with my girlfriend today. I have been converting her to the good side for the last 3 years. “Godforsaken Town” by Reckless Kelly was playing in the truck today and she said that I listen to too many depressing songs, I told her that I love music that tells stories, real stories about life. Life is often depressing, and we need to appreciate a good sad song. I think that real music is about stories, and life. Charlie has sang real songs about life for his whole career. When he says something about Country Music, we all need to stop and listen. Thank you Charlie for standing up for real music.
March 2, 2015 @ 3:45 am
I have a weekly country music show in the Kingdom of Cambodia from 9pm to midnight Bangkok time – which is 7am til 10am in the Lone Star State ( I’m from Fort Worth) – I play Steve, Aaron, Charlie, Cody,Brantley, Drive By Truckers Corb Lund and as many others as I can – I try to stay away from the overplayed mainstream tunes you normally hear – give a listen on radiosihanoukville.com on the web or 98fm in our fair city of Kom Pong Som
March 2, 2015 @ 3:47 am
ps On Thursday morning here in AsiaFriday morning in Texas
March 2, 2015 @ 10:39 am
It seems kinda hypocritical to me that Charlie Robison is married to one oh the Dixie Chicks One of the biggest crossover acts in the history of pop country
March 2, 2015 @ 11:12 am
The Dixie Chicks are pretty damn country, the only thing they ever had chart on Pop radio was “Landslide.” Charlie’s and Emily aren’t married anymore and haven’t been for going on seven years. So much for your post having any relevance whatsoever.
March 2, 2015 @ 11:45 am
I just wish Charlie hadn’t held back. He should have told ’em how he really feels.
March 2, 2015 @ 5:59 pm
Tell em Charlie !!! CA
March 2, 2015 @ 7:22 pm
Don’t forget Fromholz!
March 2, 2015 @ 8:19 pm
I think Gary is doing a good job at Sony. Here are what his major artists have charted recently or are currently charting
Carrie Underwood – Something In The Water #1 – a religious song
Brad Paisley – Perfect Storm #1 – a love song
Chris Young – Lonely Eyes currently #5 – not a bro country song
Jake Owen – What We Ain’t Got currently #15 – a powerful ballad
Kenny Chesney – Wild Child w/Grace Potter currently #22 – nothing bro country about this song
Miranda Lambert – Little Red Wagon currently #19 – an empowering female song
Tyler Farr – A Guy Walks Into A Bar currently #14 – amazing song, not bro country
So for those readers who immediately throw out the same tired “Nashville is nothing but bro country” arguments. Ummmm might wanna do a little homework next time.
March 3, 2015 @ 12:58 pm
All those artists except Tyler Farr have been with the label since before Gary Overton took over so I’m not sure why you think he deserves credit for them. It doesn’t take a PhD to figure out that you should let an established platinum-selling artist continue to do what he or she has been doing successfully for years.
March 5, 2015 @ 10:18 am
A guy walks into a bar is a decent song. But good Lord, I cannot stand Tyler Farr’s voice.
March 2, 2015 @ 11:04 pm
“It appears the “If you”™re not on country radio, you don”™t exist” quote has become the “Old Farts & Jackasses” rallying cry of 2015.”
That’s because old farts and jackasses don’t exist as they are not played on country radio or radio period.
March 3, 2015 @ 6:17 pm
I would walk a mile barefooted to hear any of the above mentioned. Most certainly Charlie, Bruce, and Kelly!
March 3, 2015 @ 9:08 pm
Charlie has a set of balls the size of Texas! It’s about time. Bobby bones is a puss!! I am happy for everyone that has some success but country radio sucks so bad right now because of this cookie cutter bro country.
Sony music just pissed off the wrong cowboys.
Y’all keep up the good work
March 3, 2015 @ 10:09 pm
i bet that Sony executive is an Obumer supporter also!
“You didn’t build that”
Talk about lack of respect for not just music but the craft and artistry!
March 6, 2015 @ 12:00 pm
I had the pleasure of working in Nashville for two years before family issues forced me home and out of the business. What Charlie said is spot on. I saw so many genuinely talented and amazing artists get ignored for someone who was ‘marketable’ that didn’t even have enough talent to write their own music. It was eye opening and disgusting to see the kind of support and promotion some people got because of their appearance instead of their lack of talent. One ‘artist’ in particular only ‘made’ it because she hooked up with an established producer and her ‘career’ took off for a bit even though she had lousy stage presence. But hey I guess a pair of big boobs was too much to pass up at the time. If you want real country music to flourish instead of what some egghead from California or New York thinks will play well just put all the music out there labeled ‘country’ and actual country music and let the masses decide what has appeal and what doesn’t. I think it would actually be quite eye opening to everybody.
May 27, 2017 @ 11:27 am
@Rawdog: What the frack did President Obama (not ‘Obummer’) have to do with this Sony exec saying the truth about music exposure? Like it or not, the Sony Music guy was right; it is still radio exposure that does mean sales most of the time (not all artists in any genre of music can be as successful without radio airplay as this guy that’s the subject of this article; most still have to rely on word-of-mouth and airplay from downloads, physical purchase of a CD, or revenues from touring and selling or merch at concerts.) I won’t deny that the industry is full of shit at the way it gets its current rosters in country and other music genres of talent-I think that those ‘artists’ are crap, to be frank compared to real country artists and actual roockers that are out there-but again, the Sony guy’s right in the ‘Jerkass Has A Point’ kind of way.
Also, what does/did Obama have to do with this, again? He’s not the head of Sony Music, nor did he say anything that influenced what the Sony guy said (in fact, his favorite band [one of them] is the rock band The National, who played at his second inaugral.) Keep you bullcaca about Obama to yourself, and reflect and the bad choice that you’ve made in voting for a POTUS.