Want to Meet Shooter Jennings? That Will Be $85.
If you needed any more proof that The Svengali of Country Music, one Shooter Jennings is all about creating a cult of personality and pursuing his name as product, just sit back and appreciate that in this recessionary economy when many artists are slashing ticket prices and making themselves more accessible, Shooter is now asking his hard working fans for $85 simply for the opportunity to shake his hand right before his show and walk away with a tote bag. Yes, quite a hefty price tag for someone who has recently been touting himself as a proponent for independent, grassroots music.
Announced a few days ago, “VIP meet & greet packages” are being offered at many of Shooter’s upcoming appearances, including at the Muddy Roots Festival this late August. What do you get for your $85? A T-shirt, a tote bag, 5 guitar picks (that grand total will cost Shooter less than $12-$15 wholesale), and this is my favorite one, an “Invitation to pre-show private shopping experience.” That’s right folks, for your hard earned $85, you get the exclusive opportunity to spend even more money on Shooter’s merch. What you don’t get for $85? Actual admittance to the show. That will cost you extra. So will the tacked on fees for buying the VIP ticket. After a transaction and convenience fee, the actual cost for a Shooter photo op is $90.64.
Meet & Greet Package: Muddy Roots Festival
For an artist of Shooter’s size, and even ones many steps above him on the music food chain, this type of arrogant cash grab from fans is absolutely unparalleled. Furthermore, Shooter Jennings specifically asking to be dealt with in this manner of privilege at the Muddy Roots Festival is a complete insult to the standing culture and spirit of that particular festival, and all grassroots festivals for that matter. One of the things that makes grassroots festivals such an enjoyable experience is that nobody is above anyone, there are no VIP perks, and fans and artists interact freely.
Even more curious, the Muddy Roots Festival is one of the few events that Shooter has decided to purposely promote this $85 package for.
In May of 2011, SCM interviewed the Galaz brothers who are the promoters of Muddy Roots. They spoke specifically about the access the festival gives fans to the artists:
Anthony: The fans and bands were together. There was no barricade, no barrier, no VIP sections backstage. And that’s what gave the people who made the pilgrimage to Cookeville from whatever state or country such an experience, because all the bands they listen to, they could just go up and talk to them and hang out with them. There’s was nobody that was “too cool.” There were no pedestals.
Jason: I like that, there were no pedestals. It wasn’t, “Hey, there’s rock stars, let’s look at them, but we can’t talk or touch them.”
In August of 2011, SCM interviewed Zale Schoenborn, the promoter of the Pickathon Festival in Portland that this year is featuring Dale Watson, Wayne Hancock, Sturgill Simpson, Caleb Klauder, and many other country acts in a diverse lineup. Zale spoke specifically on how separating artists from fans and setting up VIP perks erodes the festival experience for everyone.
We designed the (Pickathon) space to where you come in and relate to the space without a lot of barriers. And that includes the artists. We don’t wall them off, we don’t have VIP sections, but we do create some communal spaces, and when the artists come out they’re part of the audience. It’s very common sense type stuff. It’s like what you would do if you were hosting people at your house. When people are planning it from X’s and O’s, those decisions about the human element fall to the numbers side. It’s unfortunate because those little things are what people tend to take away.
At last year’s Muddy Roots fest, the 86-year-old country music icon Ralph Stanley stayed after his set and signed every piece of memorabilia brought before him, and took pictures with anyone that wanted one, with no time limit, and no money changing hands for the autographs or photos. So did many of the other bands that played the festival. At Pickathon, after each performer plays, they go to a designated merch area where fans can get memorabilia signed and take pictures with the artists.
The meet and greet marketing tool is traditionally only reserved for large corporate country music festivals and top headliner names way beyond the sphere of Shooter Jennings who is a mid-level club draw at best. Many artists selling out arenas don’t even ask for this type of cash for meet and greets, if they even give their fans the option at all. Many times the meet and greet is for certain members of a fan club or an artist’s message board who have proved their fandom over the years. Even Taylor Swift has a system that rewards the loyalty of fans instead of wealth. At each concert, Swift has a team of people that fan out across the venue looking for attendees that show the most spirit, and hand select them for a free meet and greet opportunity after the show.
Kid Rock made headlines recently announcing he was charging only $20 for tickets for his summer tour, and was also working with venues and promoters to lower prices on food, beverages, and merchandise. “It’s gotten out of hand, price of concerts, the price of entertainment, period,” Kid Rock says. “I’ve been very fortunate, I’ve always tried to keep prices what I think are fair, and I’ve always said I’m proud that I can walk around with my head held high and look someone in the eye, knowing that I haven’t taken an un-honest dollar from a working man. I make a lot of money, I can take a pay cut. All my friends are taking pay cuts, that are in unions, that are farming in Alabama, whatever it is. I can surely take a pay cut, too.”
– – – – – – – – –
Expect the next thing from Shooter to be an explanation of how this was all the result of a snafu between him and his marketing arm, or that he will offer even more incentives now, drop the price, or donate the proceeds to charity, and make a big point of shaking people’s hands at shows who didn’t pay the exorbitant fee, because like all of Shooter’s gross missteps, they’re always followed by a cavalcade of excuses and explanations that his surrogates, sycophants, and toadies always believe, while his underlying approach to selling himself as product and using the names of others as stepping stones remains the same.
Like I have always said to independent and underground music entities, you don’t need Shooter Jennings, Shooter Jennings needs you. Like a politician, Shooter has been out kissing babies. Taking artists out to Chuck E Cheese and buying bloggers drinks, playing artists on his radio show and shaking hands with fans over the last few years was simply setup to an opportunity to cash out on the backs of well-meaning underground roots artists, fans, and entities. And if this latest evidence doesn’t prove this to Shooter apologists, nothing will.
I once heard the worse thing a man could do is draw a hungry crowd
Tell everyone his name, pride, and confidence, but leaving out his doubt
I’m not sure I bought those words, when I was young I knew most everything
These words have never meant as much to anyone, as they now mean to me
!!!Bonus!!!Bonus!!!
Since Saving Country Music is in tune with the plight of the common man, and know many of Shooter’s fans would love to get their picture with him but can’t pay the exorbitant fee, we are manufacturing a life-sized, transportable photo-op of the picture below, to be provided at Shooter Jennings’ live performances. Poor, hapless Shooter fans and their friends can simply stick their faces through the provided holes, and have the next best thing to getting their picture taken with the Country Music Svengali himself. And it’s all free! (sorry, no tote bags will be given away)
***UPDATE***UPDATE***UPDATE***UPDATE***
(7-11-13 9:20 PM CDT): Shooter Jennings and/or his management have decided to drop the offer of VIP packages at festivals. As I said above, “Expect the next thing from Shooter to be an explanation of how this was all the result of a snafu between him and his marketing arm,” and on cue, Shooter surrogate Jon Hensley explains, “There was a miscommunication between myself and the company that makes these VIP upgrades possible.” You can read Jon Hensley’s entire statement below.
With no malice or mincing of words, I commend Shooter Jennings and/or his management for seeing that these VIP upgrades at grassroots festivals were unfair, unfeasible, and against the spirit of independent country and roots music. Though I still believe the price Shooter is asking for his VIP upgrade is egregious and unparalleled for an artist his size, and that the whole culture of VIP treatment has no place in independent roots music, the elimination of the option for festivals helps preserve the camaraderie and the independent spirit that makes these festivals so enjoyable for fans, and gives them a unique experience in music where all patrons are treated equal.
Jon Hensley’s statement:
Just to clarify…we are not offering any VIP ticket upgrades at any festival Shooter Jennings is playing this year or any year. There was a miscommunication between myself and the company that makes these VIP upgrades possible. But, they will ONLY be available for club and theater dates. To any son of a bitch that has a problem with us offering these upgrades you should talk to any of the fans that have actually purchased one. Ask them if they felt like their money was well spent. It is totally laughable that some stupid asshole hiding behind a computer thinks he has the right to tell Shooter’s fans how they should or should not spend their own hard earned money. This is a business and at the end of the day we all have to make smart business decisions to survive. Offering an optional concert ticket upgrade to loyal fans is not wrong or unheard of and no matter what anybody thinks about it we will continue to offer the upgrades until the world comes to an end. And, if any “blogger” has a problem with them they can address it face to face. All you have to do is purchase the ticket upgrade and see us at the meet and greet.
My response:
I have no problem meeting someone face to face and explaining my grievances with Shooter’s VIP package, but to act like not doing this initially is some sort of move of cowardice is pretty high school. Where is Jon Hensley at the moment? Is he within driving distance? I don;t have a problem meeting him, but maybe the matter is more practical to deal with through the miracle of internet. Also, nobody is hiding behind a screen. Last weekend I was out in public at Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic for 12 straight hours. I’ve been at 4 of the last 5 Pickathon Festivals, the last 2 Muddy Roots Festivals, SXSW a dozen or so times, and live events on a regular basis. If someone wants to come and speak to me in person, I am very accessible, wherever I am. And I don;t say anything on this website that I wouldn’t say to anyone’s “face.”
July 9, 2013 @ 8:28 am
And folks, let’s not blame Muddy Roots specifically for this. He is dooing this at most of all his upcoming appearances. Shooter’s complete lack of self-awareness in thinking that $90+ is something fair to ask of his fans, is not different than his complete lack of self-awareness to think this is something that would be acceptable or fair to the other artists at a grassroots festival.
July 11, 2013 @ 3:08 pm
On a semi-related note, I went to see if he was offereing the meet and greet when he was in Billings, I’m not going either way, and noticed that he had a nice quote from you on his entry page, something about him being the most deceptive and dangerous artist in country music, or something along those lines.
July 11, 2013 @ 3:52 pm
Do you know how that quote came about?
At one point, Shooter Jennings was perpetuating as many as 13 different aliases on this site in the comments sections in an attempt to disrupt this site and forward his agenda through it. He has since admitted to this, or at least admitted to using “some” of the aliases.
One of the times Shooter did this was on an article about the “Greatest Underground Country Albums of All Time.” Shooter wasn’t mentioned in the article, so he came to SCM under an alias to complain. He then took that quote out of context, stimulated by him trolling the comments section of an article he wasn’t even mentioned in, and put it at the top of this site. Also at the time, Shooter and I had a cease fire agreement that we would avoid each other. Using aliases was the way Shooter thought he could get around that.
The alias Shooter was using was “TS Steamroller.” Here is a link to the exchange, and note how Shooter talks about himself in 3rd person defending his own actions:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/the-greatest-underground-country-albums-of-all-time#comment-364644
When taken alone, the quote Shooter put on the top of his website looks pretty harsh. When taken in the context of the entire quote, it can be seen how I was making a purposeful attempt to avoid conflict. Also, since the quote was stimulated by Shooter, using an alias, the meaning behind the quote becomes magically self-fulfilling. Deceptive? What else would you call taking that quote out of context by someone pretending to be a random commenter, when it in truth was Shooter the whole time.
Here’s the entire quote:
“At this point, I think the best thing is to not attempt to resolve the differences between Shooter and I, but to appreciate our differences and allow there to be separation to reduce the likelihood of conflict. Make no mistake about it, I think that Shooter Jennings is the most dangerous, most deceptive artist in the overall country music world right now. But out of respect for him, and for folks that don”™t want to see drama, I am doing my best to check my anger and opinions. I don”™t want there to be conflict. He can stay on his side of the schoolyard, and I”™ll stay on mine. Like the teacher used to say in school, just ignore the people you don”™t like, and keep your hands to yourself. This is like the Palestinian / Israeli conflict, and people need to respect that small things like a comment on an article that has no bearing on Shooter Jennings can turn the cold war hot and damage both sides. “
July 11, 2013 @ 5:15 pm
Figured that’s what it was, wasn’t sure if you knew it was there. Frankly, I don’t care out the whole feud, I’ll continue to visit the site and choose which articles I do and don’t want to read.
July 9, 2013 @ 8:42 am
C’mon Muddy, he’s gotta raise cash to pay for all of those computer experts to fix the damage you caused him!! 😉
July 9, 2013 @ 8:53 am
I recently paid an extra $65 on top of a $50 ticket for a meet and greet with DEVO. I tried like hell to get info on what exactly it was going to be, pictures, autographs, mingling, should I bring something to share or for autographs??? All I got was info at the venue the day of. After the performance we waited for about 45 minutes. Then we stood in line and were told 1 autograph per person and no photos.
Once in line we were told the merch stand is still open if we need anything to be autographed. It was at this time I noticed several people had brought their own materials to be signed (How did they know to do that!?!) I asked the guy “in charge” if there were any promo items available to be autographed. He then repeated louder “Any items you may need can be purchased at the merch table”. My rage was boiling hard at this point.
The LP of the new album was not released yet, so I reluctantly purchased a CD of the new album. I handed it to Bob1 and made a few complimentary statements as each member drew on the cover, “Thanks so much for coming to MN…Such a cool venue…great set guys…”
Not one word from any of the 4 members sitting there, no eye contact and certainly no hand shake. A rep from the band handed me the CD at the end of the line and off I went. Ended up smashing that CD, autograph and all, on the way to the car.
July 9, 2013 @ 3:45 pm
What the hell were you doing at a Devo show? LOL Country music is a lot better than that noise and it’s the only genre where fans have a lot of access to meeting artists.
July 10, 2013 @ 11:03 am
What a stupid question to ask. If he likes bands other than country music it’s his full right. I’m a big fan of country, rockabilly and other roots music but I can’t stand some of the people in this “scene” who pretend that this kind of music is the only good one. I hope you realise that country and rock ‘n roll only exists because of a mixture of different styles, influences and cultures. If these pioneers didn’t cross these borders then your dear country music wouldn’t even exist.
July 9, 2013 @ 8:59 am
Who does he think he is, Toby Keith?!
July 9, 2013 @ 9:18 am
jesus fucking christ Kyle. This Trigger man vs Shooter shit is so fucking old and lame.
July 9, 2013 @ 9:57 am
People say they’re tired of seeing the “feud,” but it seems to never occur to folks to actually go to the source of the conflict and say the same thing, they just shoot the messenger. I’m just reporting on what Shooter did. If Shooter would stop doing things that go against the principles of the independent music, then there would be no more stories about it. But he doesn’t, partly because people in the “scene” are more than willing to sell out their principles to defend him, predicated on the idea that Shooter has anything to offer them.
Saying that people are “tired of drama” is simply being used as a commodity to attempt to defend Shooter’s actions because of the wholesale lack of being able to do so with actual legitimate points. It assumes, anticipates, and hopes for an intellectually lazy reader who won’t take in the facts and draw their own conclusions on the obvious, which is that Shooter Jennings is using the roots underground to perpetuate his cult of personality.
You as an artist should be even more insulted about this intrusion of the corporate music culture into the underground roots world. But since it’s Shooter, everyone looks away.
I will take the fact that you made absolutely no attempt to defend Shooter’s actions, to validate the obvious fact that there is none. So you will prey on the laziness of readers.
And by the way, I don’t give a shit how unpopular this is, how unpopular I am, or how unpopular this website has become. Because I am standing firm on the principle that nobody is better than anyone else, including myself, and asking $90 for “VIP” perks is against every founding principle of independent music. If I go down holding to that principle, then it will be worth it.
But I won’t 🙂
July 9, 2013 @ 11:44 am
Trigger, I get your stance, and your tenacity for holding artist’s feet to the fire. The problem I have [that makes this feud annoying] is that you seem like you go out of your way to perpetuate this grudge. I agree with you that the $85 Shooter handshake(shooter-shake) is deplorable and that people should be made aware of it. Bottom line, it seems like if it wasn’t Shooter doing this I don’t think that you would be so quick to condemn it…
July 9, 2013 @ 12:04 pm
I agree with your principles Trig and standing your ground and shit. And Yes, asking for additional money for a meet and greet guy is lame … but the tone of this post is clearly inflammatory.
The post and the picture at the end tells me that you have an interest in instigating or continuing any kind of “feud” you may have with Shooter. Be the bigger man. Feel free to point out when he’s a hypocrite and move on.
July 9, 2013 @ 12:29 pm
Basically what you’re asking me to do is to treat Shooter Jennings completely different from everyone else because of a perceived “feud” or “bias” that Shooter has perpetuated from the lack of being able to defend himself against facts and accusations. I will treat Shooter just the same as I treat Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, and any other pop country star who does stuff the erodes the integrity of country and roots music. I refuse to give Shooter preferential treatment. That is what he wants, with his $85 VIP access, and from SCM. Well tough shit. You put out crappy music and act disingenuous to your fans, you pay the price.
July 9, 2013 @ 10:06 am
I don’t think this has anything to do with the “feud” between Trigger and Shooter. This is a shameless money grab aimed at getting extra cash from people who already shell out quite a bit for this guy. I understand that artists have to look for increasingly creative ways to make money in the music business these days, but this is pretty low. I would like to think that Trigger would have called anybody out for a move in this poor of taste much as he has lately by posting articles questioning the use/abuse of Kickstarter to fund releases. Maybe Trigger has diluted his ability to call out Shooter by posting so many articles about him, but this would probably be considered a flagrant cash grab for just about anybody. Shooter or no Shooter, this is pretty shitty.
July 9, 2013 @ 9:26 am
I have always gone out of my way to support artists who have been cordial and open to fans-even to the point of buying from artists whose music I don’t particularly love.
July 9, 2013 @ 9:36 am
I think Shooter is making a big mistake…………but i also agree with Jayke that this feud is old and i think the both of you need to get over it and just move on!!
July 9, 2013 @ 10:30 am
I have a feeling that Triggerman would be reporting this regardless of who was doing it if they were a “leader” of the independent music scene. It just happens to be Shooter who is doing this, so of course SCM will catch flack for another Shooter article.
July 9, 2013 @ 11:06 am
True”¦.but if i recall correctly numerous amount of times he has said he would not write anything about Shooter.
July 9, 2013 @ 3:39 pm
I did say that, and so did Shooter. We called a cease fire. Then he used 13 different aliases to perpetuate a comment war on this site. Cease fire off. I’m not going to sit idly by as someone destroys something I hold sacred.
July 9, 2013 @ 12:31 pm
There is no “feud.” This is the Svegali’s attempt to discredit accusations against him because he has no other defense.
What this is, is Shooter doing stupid shit, and me calling it out, plain and simple.
July 9, 2013 @ 10:30 am
Two things for consideration:
1) It’s optional.
2) Is this drastically different from a festival charging rising ticket prices the longer you wait to buy tix?
July 9, 2013 @ 10:41 am
Justin
i agree on your first point, but as for increasing ticket prices, that’s a pretty standard approach – even for one day shows, pre-sale tickets are cheaper than at the door. i’ve never booked shows or sold tickets for anything, but it makes sense to me that you sell cheap tickets early to get some cash to bankroll your operation and assemble a really good festival. then, once you get a solid lineup established, you can justifiably charge a higher price.
July 9, 2013 @ 10:44 am
I don’t mean that as a slam at all. What I mean is, it’s business.
July 9, 2013 @ 11:02 am
that’s a fair way to put it, but even from that perspective, this seems like a weird move.
July 9, 2013 @ 10:37 am
In the last 4 or 5 months, I have drank a beer with Austin Lucas, taken shots of Jim Beam with Jackson Taylor, and had conversations with Bob Wayne and T Junior. I did not have to pay 85 bucks to get a hand shake and a picture (I did buy merch). All of them genuinely thanked me for driving from out of town to go to their shows. They didn’t act like rock stars (although Jackson Taylor and his drummer Brandon raise a lot of hell naturally) and were actually pretty down to earth regular guys. The biggest appeal in the underground roots scene is that everyone is real and not “put on a pedastool” I think you’ve done a good job calling Shooter out on this one. I would hate to see the action repeated by others.
July 9, 2013 @ 11:20 am
Seriously man. At this point, I don’t even put it on Shooter. I’ve met him multiple times. Always super nice. His music isn’t exactly my thing, but whatever. I will say though, his tour manager, or whatever he is, is the biggest douchebag I have ever met/seen/imagined in my life. You know who he is when you see him. Afro, sideburns, bell bottoms/stupid glasses/giant inflated head. Hes the guy running around screaming at people “SHOOTER NEEDS A DRINK! SHOOTER WANTS SOME FOOD! WHERE IS SHOOTERS FIGI WATER?!” Yeah that guy. I can almost promise he is behind this.
As far as the “feud” goes, yeah it is really worn out. But, this is fuckin retarded.
July 9, 2013 @ 11:20 am
Two things
First and formost it is OPTIONAL lots of Other folks ou there do VIP packages for meet and greets etc.
Second festival prices are rising problem is everything costs more these days fuel food beer equipment rentals etc which means artists costs are higher to be on the road costs to put on the festival are higher it is a financially scary proposition to do a festival.
July 9, 2013 @ 12:36 pm
But no other roots artists make this “optional” promotion available because on principle they see it has an erosion of the value that artists are not above anyone else, and should be treated the same as patrons.
Also, as far as prices going up, I have no idea how that is relevant to anything. $85 is too much for what Shooter is offering, period. She shouldn’t be offering it anyway. Whether the price was $20 or $200, in roots music, no artist is better than any other artist or patron, and asking money for access to an artist is an insult.
July 9, 2013 @ 12:54 pm
Look, this is not about shooter in particular or any genere of music in particular simple fact is from a business standpoint artists try the VIP thing to increase revenue on the gig, period. It doesn’t insult me. Why ? It is only an option. I do not think that somehow sits the artists up for being “better than” their fans. I know REK has offered a VIP meet and great for an extra cost before. I wouldn’t pay it but some did, their choice. Overall prices being higher, I think is what plays a role in Festival Ticket prices increasing. It effects what artists have to ask from promotors for a guarntee it effects everything that goes into the front end costs of producing a festival. If the festival is going to continue it has to at least not loose money.
July 9, 2013 @ 3:44 pm
I’m not trying to tell you to be insulted by it. I would suggest you read the quote from Zale above who specifically talks about how the presence of VIP type stuff erodes the festival experience. Also read the quotes from Muddy Roots. This is what these festivals were founded upon. Shooter wants to do VIP packages, fine. But don’t bring your corporate revenue-generator tool to the grassroots.
July 10, 2013 @ 7:20 am
Trig the thing I appreciate most about this blog is your passion for the music. I get it and I share it and respect it. However, I have a understanding of how damn hard it is to make money in this business as an artist or as a promoter. So leaving shooter or muddy roots festival or any one artist or festival out of the equation, I don’t mind a artist or a promoter trying things like a VIP option or whatever to make some extra money. If it helps the artists get down the road and make the next record or it helps the festival continue another year then the music we love continues. After all making all types of roots music sustainable for the long term is the point.
July 11, 2013 @ 11:28 am
Jim,
Knowing you’re a Texas music fan, I will say I have never gone to a festival-sized event in Texas that DIDN’T have a VIP section. IN my opinion, these are the scourge of the Texas music scene, but nonetheless a fixture, and so I can understand why you wouldn’t be shocked by this (aside from the still egregious price compared to other VIP perks or meet and greets). But just as VIP sections are prevalent in Texas country, they are absolutely non-existent in the roots world, and are looked down upon by every entity and organization that I know of in that world. I truly found the fact that Shooter was doing this positively shocking, and still do.
July 9, 2013 @ 11:45 am
Kyle, you could have written about so many other things.. positive things are happening all around you, why fixate on negative stuff with your public forum? This isn’t the kind of write-up that’s saving country music.
July 9, 2013 @ 12:49 pm
NO! NO NO NO! This is EXACTLY the ESSENCE of Saving Country Music, this is an imperative to address.
And I wonder Darren, did you give Shooter the same spiel about staying positive when he accused SCM of hacking his website, saying it would result in “Federal Charges of the highest order?” It was complete bullshit. Read the comments here, this is a legitimate beef that many people feel is crossing a line.
https://savingcountrymusic.com/shooter-jennings-threatens-federal-charges-against-scm
July 9, 2013 @ 1:10 pm
So you’re telling me that consistently picking apart one guy is how you’re going to “Save Country Music” By constantly fueling the same old tired fire, over and over like a grocery store tabloid?? You might consider doing a spread on Liz Sloan, you know she’s an amazing fiddle player who has been thinking about doing fiddle workshops, teaching kids how to play.. I think a spread about that would be something to consider, don’t you think? You aren’t a rebel by any means, you’re glorifying a personal opinion blog by adding a legit sounding name to it, but this is just Kyle’s Opinion Blog, that’s all. I’m not going to waste anymore energy on your little Jerry Springer Show. This is why people don’t visit your page anymore, it’s why I don’t. And what a lowbrow move by throwing Muddy Roots name into this.. Get a life dude. PS- If you set-up a slap triggerman for 5 bucks booth up at Muddy Roots you could retire.
July 9, 2013 @ 1:59 pm
“I”™m not going to waste anymore energy on your little Jerry Springer Show.”
That’s a pretty cheap shot, considering the amount of coverage I’ve read here about your label, festival and artists. I have bought four albums by artists on your label and it was Trigger who sold me on all of them.
“This is why people don”™t visit your page anymore, it”™s why I don”™t. ”
That reminds me of that Yogi Berra quote: Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.
July 9, 2013 @ 2:06 pm
Whether Triggerman chooses to highlight the talent of some of the artists on my label has nothing to do with this. Just because we get a little good press from him once in while is no reason for me to kiss his ass and never speak my mind when he’s beating a dead horse over and over. It’s kinda like saving a baby from a burning building and throwing it into oncoming traffic. The roots community is a wonderful thing, and the negative stuff is tiring, who gives a shit if someone wants to do a VIP meet and greet? It’s not like you have to pay it, it’s a choice you make. And, I know first hand, Shooter will play acoustic for these people for hours, get em drunk, give em tons of merch, etc.
July 9, 2013 @ 3:55 pm
See Darren, by mentioning Liz Sloan, you prove the point I make often that the only reason some folks come here is for the Shooter articles, and so they believe this is all I do.
On the day before Halloween, 2010, I interviewed Liz Sloan in Bob Wayne’s limo parked down the street from the Hole in the Wall in Austin, TX. It was the night her and Jared McGovern met. I’m really proud of how it turned out.
https://savingcountrymusic.com/liz-sloan-story-defines-deep-themes-in-country-landscape
Should I do a follow-up? Sure. There are tons of storylines out there needing to be covered, and nobody is bothered more by them going untold than me.
But the point still remains that you refuse to defend Shooter asking $65 more than Keith Urban for people to meet him. And if you can’t understand why that is wrong, I would understand why you wouldn’t want to read Saving Country Music. You aren’t ready for it. BUt we’ll still be here when you are.
Respects,
July 9, 2013 @ 7:42 pm
Sitting back and running one guy into the ground seems like a huge waste of energy to me? What will it really accomplish? Shooter is a good dude, and never given me a reason to doubt his integrity. It seems the ones that bitch the most actually do the least. The only reason I’m on here today is to defend my friend. I could give a fuck about all this soap opera bullshit. This tabloid blog trying to pass for something that is supposedly saving country music is nothing but high school bullshit at best. Kyle, you have had so many opportunities to do the right thing with this page, and all it really has become is a huge page to talk shit about people. You have put some great things on here, but they are often overshadowed with your negative one-sided opinions about so and so. Get a grip man, if Shooter Jennings wants to do a meet and greet for 85 bucks, play a bunch of music for his people, drink and hangout with them, and the people are there to pay the price, and walk away happy, WHO GIVES A FUCK. Get a life dude, use your given ability for something other than running hard working people into the ground. We can go back and forth all night long about it, and it’s not going to accomplish shit. Honestly, your site has turned into a black rain cloud, that’s my personal opinion, don’t you dare lump anyone on the label into how I feel. These kind of blogs are like whacking a hornets nest, and you keep on doing it, over and over.
July 10, 2013 @ 10:45 pm
“Get a grip man, if Shooter Jennings wants to do a meet and greet for 85 bucks, play a bunch of music for his people, drink and hangout with them, and the people are there to pay the price, and walk away happy, WHO GIVES A FUCK.”
I do.
July 9, 2013 @ 8:41 pm
Hey dude-
I ordered the new Jayke Orvis album on vinyl and sent you an email with the same question, when is that going to ship?
July 9, 2013 @ 11:46 am
I can’t think of any artist I’d pay to meet. I’d like to think none of my favorite artists would charge. You’d think he’d at least say some of the proceeds would go to his charity of choice to soften the arrogance. I gave up trying to figure out Shooter years ago
July 9, 2013 @ 11:51 am
Get over it, for Pete’s sake. You don’t have to love him or like him, but the guy is better than 99% of all other music out there. If he wants to and can make some money, so be it. I am all for artists making it anyway they can. No one is forcing anyone to be a dork and pay $85 to shake his hand, but if they choose to do so, then that’s their problem. This anti-Shooter stuff is lame. I consider myself very neutral in this, and it is damn annoying.
July 9, 2013 @ 1:30 pm
Yes, you obviously have the right to not fork over the $85 for a Shooter-shake, but I think there is a point of contention to be made considering the Muddy Roots “There are no pedestals” ideology…
July 9, 2013 @ 12:22 pm
Yeah this seems like one of those things that could of just been left alone. Don’t really see this as an a huge insult to fans either. It’s totally an option ,as for me, I personally think it silly to want to spend money just for a handshake, but if that’s what somebody wants to do then by all means it’s your damn money. Never really listened to Shooter’s music (nothing against it..seems pretty good to me just haven’t gotten a chance for a good listen), but did just recently meet Shooter just a couple months ago for free and he was extremely nice and personable so, I got no real issue with the guy. Also, don’t mean this as any attack towards trigger, but I do agree with most of these people saying this is getting kinda old.
July 9, 2013 @ 12:23 pm
I feel like I read this a few months ago, and last year, and the year before that.
To be quite honest, this kind of journalism is the precise reason I shut off cable TV, do not watch the news & do not read the newspapers. I know, I know you’ll get 80,000 hit though.
July 9, 2013 @ 12:42 pm
That’s the irony, you’ve read about Shooter taking advantage of folks and doing things out-of-bounds over and over, and yet he continues to do them. So if I stop reporting on that, that is somehow supposed to help? I think it is extremely telling that so many folks have come here to defend Shooter, but their only recoruse is to say they are tired of the coverage. If you think Shooter is in the right, defend his $85 VIP package, explain why he is more important than Ralph Stanley and Billy Joe Shaver and Don Maddox.
The “we’re tired of seeing this” defense only makes me more emboldened to explain what Shooter is doing.
And if you think this is all about “hits,” you’re a fool. But yes, that is another good way to deflect blame from Shooter, and avoid addressing the actual issues.
July 9, 2013 @ 12:55 pm
First off don’t put words in my mouth. Second, a fool! I’ll save what I have to say until the next time I see you.
July 9, 2013 @ 4:02 pm
Okay, will you give a defense for Shooter charging $85 for VIP Meet & Greets then? Because with all the folks coming here to defend him, I’ve yet to see one explanation of why this isn’t something people should have a legitimate beef with.
July 11, 2013 @ 8:16 pm
Duh…. Hello…. There IS no issue with it because it is a free market. The market determines what it can bare. Those who see value in it will buy it, those who dont, wont. Its called marketing. The price is not set for 98% of the population of SJ fans it is set for 2%. This is a non-issue. From the sounds of what Farmageddon says… it actually sounds like a reasonable value for a seperate concert and booze, especially at concert venue prices…. I usually drop a C note easy at the venue on booze and a shirt.
I was at a CCR concert where the band sold a flash drive of the concert you were just at, I bought one. Was at a Departed concert last month where they sold VIP passes that got you closer to the stage, I bought one. In both cases I found value in it…. the CCR flash drive captured a memory for me and my wife and kids that we still enjoy today (and wish more bands would do). The Departed VIP got me away from the druck frat boys that go to a concert to hear themselves sing, I like to hear the band sing when I am at a concert so I felt it was worth it.The price of each I dont recall but it seemed reasonable…. but in both cases I was one in the minority of that opinion. I always felt I got my money’s worth and I could afford it at the time.
Just because its a muddy roots mentality doesnt mean they can survive without profit. there will be no more festivals if only tight asses show up.
July 11, 2013 @ 10:22 pm
Oh, so now if you show up to a festival and don’t expect to pay extra to shake hands with a semi-star you’re a tight ass?
July 9, 2013 @ 12:26 pm
i dont buy into that whole “family” thing myself so if the artist doesnt like to mingle with the fans im not insulted and if he wants to charge fans to mingle with him im cool with that too. i have no idea if shooter has ever taken shots at artists that offer VIP packages so dunno if hes being a hypocrite now.
July 9, 2013 @ 12:42 pm
I am a pretty big Shooter fan. I live in the Northern part of Ohio and recently he came south of Columbus and I bought tickets and made the couple hour drive down to catch his show, and it was great. However, I have to agree, the meet and greet package is a terrible concept. I think I saw maybe 4 or 5 people there who looked like they may have purchased the package. The price on it is simply too high and not worth it. For comparison’s sake, my fiance is a huge Keith Urban fan. For her birthday, I purchased a fan club membership for her for $25. She was able to get a code to get front row seats for a big stadium show and a chance to meet and greet. Even though its only a chance, I feel this was a much better deal. I saw Sunny Sweeney at a small club and won meet and greets at the door and got to get pictures and autographs before the show, and it was free. Not that it mattered, she hung out after the show until pretty much everyone received a picture or autograph. That’s the way it should be done.
July 9, 2013 @ 12:45 pm
That’s the thing. Keith Urban is selling out arenas, and asks less than a 1/4 of this from his fans. This is absolute highway robbery, and the only reason folks could not be outraged by this is because of some perceived notion that Shooter can be of some advantage to them, which he can’t. The roots underground has been Svengalied by this dude, and he must be stopped.
July 16, 2013 @ 12:14 pm
Trigger, I like your website and I thank you for turning me on to a lot of new music. I also have disliked Shooter Jennings since way before I had read this website. But dang dude, when you write stuff like “he must be stopped” you seem like you are coming unhinged. Shooter isn’t killing babies or anything, he’s just a tool.
July 10, 2013 @ 1:03 pm
The difference is that Keith Urban is not going to hang out with the people who pay 25 dollars for his fan club.
My guess is that Shooter is charging so much for this little meet and greet that only a handful of people will pay for it. Those people will then likely have a lot of personal time with Shooter, something he simply could not do to everyone at one of his festivals or shows. I don’t think that experience is worth 85 dollars, so I wouldn’t pay for it. There’s no skin off my back.
The people who think its worth that much will have an enjoyable experience.
Shooter will have some extra money.
Who is harmed here?
July 11, 2013 @ 8:24 pm
so you paid $25 for a “maybe” handshake???? what a rip off! so did she buy a $35 t shirt? on top of her $80 ticket??…. just sayin… I hope you at least got laid.
July 11, 2013 @ 11:26 pm
In reality, I paid the $25 bucks for the chance to buy front row seats for her, which we got…. The meet and greet chance wasnt the selling point. And I think that either way it is a total ripoff, but its a gift. She likes Keith, I go with her when he comes all the time, I figured one time we could be up close. I am personally more of a fan of club shows where you can arrive early and get up close if you really want anyways, but the mega pop stars are beyond that.
But anyways, had Shooters been 25, 30, or even 40 bucks I’d think about it, but still would probably pass. I like Shooter, along with lots of other artists, but I wouldn’t pay extra on top of my ticket to meet any of them. If my hard earned dollars to buy a ticket isn’t enough to get a handshake or an autograph, I don’t want one.
July 9, 2013 @ 1:03 pm
I’m not going to defend the idea of charging fans 90+ dollars to do a meet and greet. But I’d like to say this.
I saw Shooter at Moonrunner’s Fest hanging out with everyone in the crowd, taking pictures with anyone who asked, being friendly, and conversational with anyone who wanted to do so. I also heard from several friends of mine that he was the exact same way at Farm Fest.
This meet and greet stuff kind of contradicts with that. So…I have no clue what’s up with it, and I really don’t care. It’s none of my business what he offers his fans to generate his income.
But one thing I know for sure. I’m looking forward to shaking hands, drinking drinks, and having a good time in Cookeville with a bunch of good people I haven’t seen in a while, Shooter included.
July 9, 2013 @ 4:07 pm
If Shooter is hanging out with folks at one place not charging anything, and then charging $90 at another, then if I was paying the $90, I’d be pissed. As much as the VIP Package is bullshit, it is even more bullshit if people are paying when they either don’t need to, or could meet Shooter at another show for free.
July 11, 2013 @ 8:35 pm
Kyle, I am Willing to bet you would be mad if Shooter handed you a wrinkled $100 bill. Do you have conformation he is not shaking hands with non payers??? Are you really shallow enough to think he wont shake hands for free now??? Have you attended an event to varify what takes place???? isnt 99% of your expose’ speculation with no fact, other than the set price and the flyer? SCM now means “Shooter Covered Monthly”.
July 11, 2013 @ 10:20 pm
Read my comment again. Nothing you say makes sense. No, I do not have $85 to “varify” what goes on at a Shooter meet and greet.
July 12, 2013 @ 2:29 pm
“Oh, so now if you show up to a festival and don”™t expect to pay extra to shake hands with a semi-star you”™re a tight ass?”
Wow…. way to keep things in context. as my earlier post stated, this is designed for the 2% of SJ fans not the 98%.
so since there have been several here who HAVE spent the $85 and stated it was worth it to them…. It seems like there is a thriving market for the package…..
$85 gets you:
Meet and greet.
limited edition T shirt
Limited edition Bag
Autographed Pass to M&G
Guitar pics.
Photo with SJ
Beer (not advertised for obvious reasons)
Sound Check (very cool)
$85 actually sounds like a good deal compared to just a few of the hundreds of acts that do the EXACT same thing mentioned here and have been for a long long time but SJ supports muddy roots so he “must be stopped”.
4 figures for Straight made in China, autographed in the USA guitar.
$300 or more to meet a bunch of Jewish Rockers who paint their faces.
$25 to get the privilege to but front row seat and maybe smell his sweat as he whizzes by for KU.
Willie will let you sit in the shade in a skybox with waitresses for a sum (I have a feeling you know how much too)
Hag is bending you over for $40 for a $3.99 fruit of the loom but he is way cool.
CCR and now the Departed both have good valued VIP extras, but never a peep here about it.
Kid Rock sees the end coming so he is chopping ticket prices…while showing up for any award show that will let him have a seat.
Like I said earlier this is a non issue, it will bare what the market determines as acceptable ROI for SJ. The rest is just your personal venom to the act you stated must be stopped, its transparent.
Be real, look in that mirror of yours… ANYTHING SJ touches you have heartburn with. You like to list a bunch of acts you have torn into, ranted about and wonder why the stories about SJ are the only ones that get read and responded to…. its simple; SJ makes and plays music that a high percentage of the readers of this site tend to like or at least tolerate. He has a large presence, an influence over the genre of music you blog about and does more to help it in an hour radio show once a week than you can do in years of blogging. Nobody says anything about your rants on the “new outlaws” or FGL because you are stating obvious things they agree with. Obviously there is a much higher percentage of readers here who disagree with your opinions on SJ and many more who see through it even if they are not a fan of SJ.
July 12, 2013 @ 4:43 pm
“$300 or more to meet a bunch of Jewish Rockers who paint their faces.”
What in the wide world of sports is that supposed to mean? Are you trying to suggest that Jews can’t rock?
Here is my rebuttal. I give you Ted Horowitz:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myae6nWs-1I
July 9, 2013 @ 1:38 pm
I saw Merle Haggerd at billy bobs a couple weeks ago and he was charging 40bucks for a t-shirt. I still bought one. I didn’t have to but it was my choice just like it the choice of the concert goer to pay to meet shooter. Why don’t you write a story about high cost of merchandise 40 bucks for a cheap t-shirt?
July 9, 2013 @ 1:43 pm
The way Meet & Greets typically work is that folks either win them from local radio stations or folks get the Meet & Greet passes by being a member of the artist’s official fan club and as a result, win the passes through a lottery style drawing. Of course, fan club memberships range anywhere from $10.00 to $50.00 per year for most of the artists out there, so in a sense, you are paying for a Meet & Greet opportunity.
Many rock music artists do the ‘Paid’ Meet & Greets like Shooter is doing. I paid for a post-concert Meet & Greet to meet the members of RATT at their new album release show in Los Angeles three years ago. Along with the Meet & Greet, you also got a t-shirt and a copy of RATT’s new CD which you could get the members to sign when you went through the line. (KISS also does paid Meet & Greets at their shows for something like $300.00 per person, but I haven’t participated in one of those.)
I noticed on the Randy Rogers Band website that fans coming to their new album release shows back in late April/early May could buy a special ticket for an additional ten bucks or so and this would get the ticket buyer a copy of the new ‘Trouble’ CD and a Meet & Greet with the band after the show where the guys would sign the CD. But, those tickets were only running around $25.00 and that of course included a ticket to the show. But, this was certainly not in the $90.00 range that Shooter is charging.
This pay system for Meet & Greets seems to be a fairly new phenomenon that sprang up over the last decade or so.
July 9, 2013 @ 1:55 pm
I like how you conveniently leave off the part about how you attend the soundcheck as well. For many people, that is an intriguing part of the allure of such things. Not saying it is right or wrong, just that you made it sound like you get a handshake and some shitty merch and thats it, and you deliberately left out that part to make it sound worse than it really is.
July 11, 2013 @ 2:02 pm
I went to see Shooter a few months back in Chattanooga, and I bought the VIP package. At that point the VIP package included acoustic set/sound-check, screening of “The Other Life” short film, “Gunslinger” box set, VIP laminate, T-shirt, and a picture and autograph. For me personally it was worth it, because 1) I was guaranteed a chance to shoot the shit with Shooter (albeit briefly) 2) The only place to see “The Other Life” short film was at the VIP sessions (it is now shown before each show from what I understand) and the biggest was 3) I didn’t want to stand in line after the show to meet him.
Getting the picture/autograph out of the way before the show is nice because you get to beat the traffic out of the venue. So you get some limited edition merch, guaranteed to meet the artist, and the convenience of leaving as soon as the set ends. I can see why it isn’t worth it to everybody (there were I think six of us in Chattanooga…), but it was for me and the five other folks.
If III offered a similar deal I would do it without hesitation, if for no other reason than not having to stand through the death metal screamo circle-dancing pushing and shoving crap in his last set for a chance to meet him. The people that go to at III show for only the country (ie leave after the first set) don’t get to meet him. Is that better somehow? He knows most of the people are going to leave by the end of the second set but I’ve never seen him socializing before the show. I’m not trying to revive the old III vs Shooter bullshit (which is even more tired than the Trigger vs Shooter bullshit!), but I’m just trying to give a little different perspective. This wasn’t an “intrusion of VIP mentality into grassroots music festivals’ article, with Shooter as an example. This was yet another Shooter-bashing article with that topic as a back-drop.
I’m sure your Adsense account enjoys the traffic from these articles, but they do nothing to “Save Country Music”. You don’t see this much traffic from Taylor Swift articles because most of the people on this site are in agreement that they don’t like Taylor Swift, so there is little to debate. When you single out one artist (and I get the history there, but still..) that a good sized portion of your readers like, you get the BS mudslinging that the comments turn into. And I give you credit for being smart enough to see that conflict drives traffic. Getting readers involved in the comments drives traffic. Do you want to drive traffic and rant about a topic where your opinion is already well known, or do you want to highlight music from artists that might not otherwise catch someone’s ear to help the readers discover new music? Which does more to “Save Country Music”?
July 11, 2013 @ 3:26 pm
What does Hank3 have to do with any of this?
I usually don’t tip my hand to people who what to argue with me, but I will tell you this: If you 1) think this article, or my Shooter opposition has anything to do with Hank3, or 2) think this is all about getting traffic to this site because Shooter’s name is the only way for me to do so, then you will lose this argument. These are both assumptions that couldn’t be more incorrect. It continues to be the utmost seat of vanity for Shooter and his fans to think that Shooter has a significant role in this site’s pantheon of coverage or traffic generation more than any other artist, based solely on the anecdotal data of the amount of comments articles dealing with Shooter generate. I regularly have articles with over 100 comments. But of course, if you only came here for the Shooter coverage, you would never know that.
Also, Shooter and his fan’s assumption that my opposition to some of his decisions has solely do with some undying Hank3 loyalty—especially after this has been explained at nauseum to everyone multiple times and in multiple forums for years now—is nothing short of psychotic.
July 9, 2013 @ 2:17 pm
Also, did you really just post a picture of Shooters first band that has been floating around for 10 years thinking it would insult him? Oh no, he was in a rock band before! No one would have guessed by the fact he cut a goddamn rock album! Also, find it humorous that so many people point to that picture and say ‘he’s a sellout’ when your high King Hank III was doing metal/punk music before he “went country” so he could make more money to pay off his child support.
July 9, 2013 @ 2:27 pm
I’m conflicted on this one. I am a fan of both Shooter and this website, but I continue to tire of these Shooter, “Svengali”, “Cult of Personality” articles. At the same time they’re about the only ones that I ever post comments on, so I guess they must matter to me, and definitely draw my attention. The VIP package does come across as arrogant to me, and like a waste of money. However, like many have said, it is optional. It is also a way to guarantee that you get to meet Shooter, and for some, maybe that’s worth it. If it wasn’t offered, fans can only attend the concert and hope to get a chance to meet Shooter, but it may not happen.
July 9, 2013 @ 6:24 pm
The fact that this is “optional” is the reason it is so dangerous. This is the fundamental point of this entire argument and artilce. Please, read the quote from Zale at Pickathon provided above. When you give some fans options based on wealth, you erode the festival experience for everyone. Read the quotes from Muddy Roots of how magical it was BECAUSE people were NOT given special privilege. This is the most important point to take away from this article.
People can make it be about my Shooter bias or how they are tired of seeing this argument, but plain and simple, if VIP options are brought into grassroots festivals, it will erode the experience, for both performers and patrons.
And this is not hypothetical. Just this last weekend I attended Willie’s 4th of July Picnic. There was a “skybox” area, and a “VIP” area. It was hot, and everyone else was out in the sun except for these VIP patrons. You spend half the time thinking, “gee, I wish I could be up higher, in the shade, with someone serving me drinks.” Either you believe in equality for the music experience, or you don’t. That is what I am fighting for here. Shooter just happens to be the perpetrator of the VIP intrusion.
July 9, 2013 @ 8:04 pm
This is what everyone is talking about! You run across this before at a festival, one that has been running for 40 years and you dont say shit about it, but as soon as Shooter does something and you just blast him for it and dont mention how it was done by Willie at his bash except for a passing thought in the comment section thinking that it enhanced your point about Shooter. I love how you still dont comment about how you intentionally left off attending the soundcheck as part of the package as well. Also odd that you tag this post as Bucky Convington but he is not mentioned to at all in the write up.
July 11, 2013 @ 9:10 am
When in this country did economic equality ever exist in any area of life ? We all have to make choices about what we purchase based on our personal economic ability to pay for it. The gigs and festivals we attend are no different. If you can afford it and want to go, you go. If you can’t you can’t. If you go and can’t afford to pay extra for a “VIP” offering, that’s just the way it is. Enjoy the gig move on. Roots music while much more rooted in the underdog overcoming the odds to get their music out to the folks. It is still based on a smaller version of the same old economic equation that any person or group of people find themself in when trying to present an art form to the folks. It takes money being exchanged between the fans and the artists. Shooter or muddy roots or any one person or thing are not the issue economics are and will continue to be. For artists and fans alike.
July 9, 2013 @ 2:35 pm
These Shooter articles really turn these boards into damn shit slinging fests…
July 9, 2013 @ 2:46 pm
I love how there is so much great information on this site. The live blog of Willie’s picnic, the pics of the event. All the great Q n A articles. All the great reviews. The great commentaries on the evolution of certain things that have taken place in different music circles. The lists.
Some of you need to take the negativity down a bit. This is one person’s work. He’s trying his best to open up the minds of music fans. We’ll not always agree with every article.
More than anything, these type of articles make me chuckle, I love the pic on the bottom with the whited out faces. These articles take awhile to write up and take a lot of thought and time.
And yes, Shooter charging for a meet and greet is insane.
About a month ago, i had the great oppurtunity to catch Marty Stuart. After the great performance, he had a meet and greet. Long line of people sharing stories, taking pictures, shaking hands, getting autographs. Not with just Marty but the whole band. All free and all unannounced till the end of the show. The night was great regardless but to cap it off with an improvised meet and greet, well, that took it over the top. Thats grassroots. Thats organic.
Anywho, you all can piss and moan about one article, I’ll enjoy the rest of em.
July 9, 2013 @ 2:48 pm
One of the many aspects of outlaw music, indy rock, alt. country etc., which Trig (and perhaps others) label roots music is the accessibility of the artists.
Just listen to them perform and then race out back by the bus for them to sign something and thank them for their performance.
This stands in stark contrast to many other artists who are entirely inaccessible to their fans.
Kind of like comparing NASCAR racers, who is sit for hours during race week signing autographs, with the NFL and the NBA where they license autographs (i.e. the athletes sell the right to their autographs to marketing firms) for sale.
In other words, you have to pay a price to get a felon’s autograph.
But in this instance, Shooter should just ask himself “What would Waylon do?”
I think we all know the answer.
July 9, 2013 @ 3:02 pm
George Strait offered Vip packages” on his farewell tour. They were priced at $400 or $1000. with no meet and greet with either one. Both offered “private pre-show shopping”, special tour souvenir, food in “the kings tavern” and entry to “The King’s exhibit” it was tour memorabilia that only traveled with the tour. The $1000 you got an autographed George Strait guitar. More mainstreamer’s offer costly “VIP packages” with a price range of $300 up. I sure hope the money from those sales go to the star’s favorite charity. Or wise it is pure greed.
July 11, 2013 @ 8:20 pm
Yeah, my thoughts EXACTLY. If any artist is charging their fans any amount of money for a meet and greet, the money should be going to a charity.Infact, I think that’s quite an innovative way for an artist to raise money for a charity. Maybe some artists are already doing that? That would be cool, I’d pay money for that. I don’t think they do those meet & greets in NZ. I’ve only heard of people winning them on radio station promotions, and the like.
July 9, 2013 @ 3:24 pm
If Shooter caused a nuclear holocaust, people would still be coming here and defending it.
July 9, 2013 @ 4:21 pm
Pb, if there was a nuclear holocaust I can pretty much gaurantee that kyle would blame shooter for it. This website has become embarrassing. I’ve believed in this movement well before it was a scene. I cut my teeth and truly devoted my life to the streetpunk, underground, crust, metal, diy community a decade longer than this “scene” has even existed. What ultimately made me sick of following, promoting, and hyping that culture was the rediculous amount of infighting and and quarreling that happened on a minute-by-minute basis.
People preach unity all over this world, a lot of us believe in it, and trash like this ruins it. I’m over it. Write all you like about any thing your heart desire kyle. That’s your right.
When you started writing about our newly developing families and friends and music, I really believed in what you were doing. But this has turned into a slagpit. I stopped reading MRR 14 years ago for the same reason I’m done givin a shit about Triggerman and SMC. Its become a tacky cliche runnin the same overwrittin stories about why so n so sucks and such n such is great cuz they’re better than so n so.
Integrity is everything to me. I’m saddened that this blog site has such little left, especially after i was so behind it in the past.
Everyones a critic. And by definition, almost, critics are parasites.
Parasite:
par·a·site
/ˈparəˌsīt/
Noun
An organism that lives in or on another organism (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host’s expense.
derogatory.
A person who habitually relies on or exploits others and gives nothing in return.
July 9, 2013 @ 5:09 pm
Jayke, I have the utmost respect for you and your music. Like you I am tired of this feud, but I have to ask myself what is worse:
a) Writing passionate, but biased, repeated, and negative articles about a musician or
b) Charging people for a VIP package at a ROOTS music festival
I’m afraid I’m going with b. There is a kernel of substance in this stuff about Shooter, biased and histrionic or not. Even though I thought it was petty nonsense at the time it was brought up, now that I think about it – what was the point of aiming a tank at the Country Music HOF?
Also I really think you have a really unfair dig at critics. Proper criticism at its finest is an art form. I have as much respect for it as I do any other form of art. I mean, there is a Pulitzer Prize for criticism. I just think it’s lazy to dismiss criticism as parasitic, worthless, or negative.
July 9, 2013 @ 7:43 pm
Okay, so your justification for Shooter’s VIP package is that critics are parasites and SCM is a slagpit.
Got it.
Listen Jayke, take Shooter’s name and my name out of this, take out the emotional stuff, the back and forths, and the history, and what you have here is an issue of whether people should be allowed to be treated as VIP’s at roots festivals. If you’re fighting for Shooter on this issue, then that is what you are fighting for, for people with the right amount of money to be given better access to artists and special perks. So as you, Farmageddon, and whoever else continue to entrench, just please understand, this is what you are fighting for. I m obviously against this, and it just happens to be that it has marked Shooter as an adversary.
Lastly I want to say that for all of Shooter’s sins, the worst one he has perpetuated is making artists and entities have to sell out their founding principles simply to keep in his favor and defend him simply because they have aligned with him so deeply.
July 10, 2013 @ 10:52 am
Jayke, I too share the utmost respect for your work, but I hope you realize what a sanctimonious stream of shit that reads as…
July 10, 2013 @ 11:15 am
I don’t need to defend anyone here. Nor am I attempting to. I’m definitely going on record to say that I’m over it. All the mudslinging done in the past has finally caught up to my patience and tolerance levels.
Thank you for kind words in the past, I’m not gonna stop you from writing any kind or negative things in the future. But I’m done with the sewing circle crap that this has turned into.
I stand by my words above. If ya don’t like them, I think i can get over it.
So long, godspeed
Peace in the middle east
Like the fat kid in dodge ball, I’m out!
July 10, 2013 @ 1:11 pm
Listen to me folks! It is my sincere desire that you deflect all hatred and anger over this situation from Muddy Roots, Jayke Orvis, Darren at Farmgeddon, or anyone else. There is only one person to blame for this, and in the end Jayke, Darren, and others are simply sticking up for someone they think is a bro, and that in itself is a sign of character.
There is a very specific reason that I have been calling Shooter Jennings the “Svengali.” I chose this very deliberately. Shooter has been kissing people’s asses so when he makes these questionable decisions, he has foot soldiers to go march for him. Yes, everyone needs to be held responsible for their own actions, but I am not going to blame Jayke, Farmageddon, Muddy Roots, or anyone else for this. I still respect these artists and institutions (even if they have no respect for me), and I ask you to do the same.
July 10, 2013 @ 1:50 pm
For what it’s worth, I side somewhere in the middle on this issue, I’m totally on Jaykes side when it comes to the sewing circle side of things, it’s annoying and petty. It’s that whole self-righteous “been there first” “before it was cool” mentality that makes my eyes roll. I think it’s that attitude that bruises independent integrity driven movements…
I come to SCM solely for country music news and reviews of great new albums and maybe a few laughs… So from now on i’ll just scroll past the knee-jerk bad reviews/op eds with 90 comments and stick with the articles with substance…
July 10, 2013 @ 2:24 pm
Trigger, did you ever consider the possibility that he is “kissing people’s asses” because he admires their music? And that those people are not so much into seeing things as black and white that they believe that on balance, Shooter has done more harm than good for real country music.
Shooter’s vision is different than yours and different than mi. I like his music, but I left his last show early after he took out the synthesizer. I like it when he promotes Hellbound Glory and Jayke Orvis. I don’t like it when he promotes Young Struggle.
However, I don’t see how he has led anyone astray? Are Hellbound Glory, Jayke Orvis, or any of the other underground country artists suddenly incorporating Industrial Music or Rap into their sets? No.
So, I am grateful for what he does for them, and when he does something I don’t like, I can leave it.
Yes, you’re a blogger, so it’s your job to criticize things you don’t like. However,when it comes to Shooter it’s not just criticism, you are making him out to be some sort of supervillain out to secretly subvert underground country; rather than a Musician who sometimes makes music you don’t like and promotes artists you wish he didn’t.
July 10, 2013 @ 10:54 pm
Mike,
I’ve never said that Shooter is not a fan of the music he promotes, or that he hasn’t had some impact on exposing some music to a wider audience. However I am taking his body of work as a whole. First, I would contend Shooter does not promote “country” music most of the time. In fact he has gone out of his way to brand himself as one of these people who defies genre. He pointed a tank at the Country Music Hall of Fame, and plays Kanye on his radio show.
I do truly believe that Shooter is attempting to subvert people with his actions, despite whatever true love he has towards the music. And I am willing to bet the integrity of Saving Country Music on that assertion. Since I first made it, Shooter has only proven me right over and over, and charging for meet & greets, especially at a cost 60%-75% more than artists 3 times his size do is even more proof.
July 9, 2013 @ 3:26 pm
This is pretty sad. Especially when u got artist like hank 3 giving his fans 3 plus hour shows then hanging out and taking pictures with them and signing stuff afterwards. All for the cost of a ticket in a shitty club. Shooter take notes!
July 9, 2013 @ 3:29 pm
The problem with this isn’t that your criticizing the VIP Packages. Or that you’re criticizing Shooter. The problem is that your opinion — and you have an absolute right to have one – is always so clouded by the feud that everybody mentions in the above comments that you lose credibility as a source. Nobody reads your title and goes “Ooh, I’m going to read some really great, thoughtful piece of writing on what the heck is wrong with Shooter Jennings and his VIP Packaging” — Everybody reads your title and goes “There’s Trigger going after Shooter again. Yeehaw.”
And the reason is that you never look at the other side of the coin. For a person that wants to fairly assess (as you claimed) the idea of the package for any artist, and it just happens to be Shooter — you quote a whole lot of things and none of which have come from Shooter, his label, his management — OR and most importantly, folks that have purchased and had the VIP experience. My advice to you is that if you really want to roast somebody — do your homework. You’re a great writer, Trigger — why not be really thoughtful instead of sounding off like a petulant child? It’s such a bummer! Why can’t you just be a really great writer that also does really great reporting?
Also — on the VIP concept — and your criticism of it — holy good lord. Cashing out on the backs of country music fans? Give me a break. I am from a very small country town with all sorts of country people (myself included), and you know what those people understand? Work. The value of work. The bottom line. Having a job. Shooter’s job is that he is a musician. He works like a motherfucker. You know what I think country music fans should think? If they want to spend $85 of their money on a VIP package? They can do what they damn well please. And if Shooter Jennings wants to sell an $85 VIP package? He can do that if he damn well pleases, too. Oh, and Trigger, yes, this theory means that you can do what you damn well please,too — and not buy a VIP package because it’s your right — and write this blog because it’s your right. I’m just saying — if you wanna use your writing to really make some great points with lasting effects and not just be a pot-stirrer with a really short spoon — think before you speak. If you wanna compare Shooter to a politician, be a real pundit.
July 9, 2013 @ 4:10 pm
This is no different then how I cover any artist. This is not a cold news site, never has been. At times, that approach is necessary, but nothing I do with Shooter is out of the norm with other artists and entities I cover. I’ve called Scott Borchetta the “Country Music Anti- Christ” and Colt Ford the “Country Music Grimmace.” You want your news served cold, I apologize. I try to make people laugh when it comes to what in truth are really grim subjects.
July 9, 2013 @ 4:04 pm
From the perspective of the fan, the person who loves the music pure and simple. We adore the muddy roots festival the spirit of it and the musicians it promotes we are the people who make the pilgrimage from across the country and the world every year to attend, it is the highlight of our year the opportunity to meet new friends with the common bond of music. Fans are IMPORTANT we take the time to seek out great music we do not settle for what is spoon fed to us, we are the ones with families and full time completely unexciting jobs that pay the bills, buy your last album and buy your merch at shows we support the music by opening our wallets, not by downloading it illegally, why? because we WANT to support the musicians especially the ones that are truly trying to make ends meet, we want you to make more music!!! i have a problem with Shooter’s $85 meet and greet offer because it is insulting to my intelligence, it tells me that your interested in taking as much money as possible from your biggest fans with very little in return, that you see the people who respect your music the most as an opportunity to put more money in your wallet with the promise of a hand shake. I understand musicians need our support to make a living, but we work hard for our money too be respectful of that, we love your music but we are not suckers and shouldn’t be treated as such, to put that kind of offer out there at a festival like Muddy Roots is silly, out of place and pretentious. The opinion of “oh well if a fan wants to pay it, it’s up to them” is also irritating, because damn near everyone knows if you pay for it you’ve got taken advantage of period, thanks Shooter holding us in such high regard – signed your fan
July 9, 2013 @ 5:00 pm
So, its OK for you, Jayke, to be a critic of this site? I mean, those are pretty harsh words considering some of the blogs this site has written about you and in turn put food on your table. In that case, if your displeased with something that Kyle has written, its probably best not to say anything at all. Let alone calling him a parasite and saying he gives nothing in return.
We’re all happy for you that you were part of the movement before there was a scene. Here’s a headsup for ya, there never was a movement and there never was a scene. Talk about cliches’ and riding the highhorse. i mean, i have a lot of respect for you and will still purchase your music and attend your shows but dont talk about all this unity crap. Everybody is trying to grab the proverbial brass ring when its not ever going to be in sight.
Anywho, your awesome at what you do just thought it was pretty harsh.
July 11, 2013 @ 8:33 pm
Nicely put, Mojotrain. Made me very sad to read those comments from Jayke. Alot of those comments were just plain nasty and unhelpful. I would hope someone like him that has received so much support and positivity from SCM.com might choose grace and humility and not comment.
July 11, 2013 @ 8:53 pm
Carla, I disagree slightly in that I don’t think there was anything wrong with Jayke Orvis expressing his opinion on this. But for the reasons you stated, I was surprised and disappointed that he was so disrespectful to Trigger personally and this website generally. But apparently, he stands behind his words, even the ones where he implied that Trigger was a parasite, but without actually saying it directly.
July 9, 2013 @ 5:32 pm
why in the hell does an article about this jackass ripping off fans have more comments than RT being in critical shape?
July 9, 2013 @ 6:59 pm
The Trigger-Shooter thing gets people fired up every time.
People accuse Trigger of being inflammatory and biased. Trigger explains that he covers a lot of non-inflammatory news, like what you just mentioned. In the end, I think people make a lot of poor evaluations of Trigger and this site based on a small handful of articles, as if his coverage of Shooter (however biased people may or may not find it) somehow voids the important and relevant critical work that he does.
That being said, I hope Randy gets well and uses this scare as a way to turn his life around. After losing the Possum, country music can’t take much more this year.
July 9, 2013 @ 5:46 pm
The meet & greet is laughable at best. I don’t want to slap you or call SCM place a slagpit, because of what someone else did though. I’m also not gonna going to be all “love your brother” to your face if I don’t mean it. Trigger, you didn’t shoot Shooter in his foot. I am sorry for disgruntled folks talkin feuds and how this site sucks. You are just in much of the developmental years as a lot of us our with life, love, parenting, our labels, festivals and whatever else, jobs, hobbies that surround us. I know you you turned me on to HBG, Dadddy Sturgill, slackeye, amongst many others, I know in my heart you do not lie, I know in return you volunteered your ass off, and have become a part of the magic making on 2 of our projects. I have seen and heard decent and notable folks in this music capitol of the world thanking you, it’s always real. Sure we don’t share the same sense of humor all the time, but I know I can come here and not be bullshitted. From the road and online, it may appear its “Shooter Jennings and 45 other bands” or ” meet and greets”…Its not. And you help keep that balance for me. Those aren’t my selling points, and if someone wants to do that, cool. Anyways, no point here, I just know this is your blog and you do what the f you want. It’s not lies and I imagine there is a happy land between mine and yours humor. Am I laughing. Yes. Do I think it’s funny, no.. Now I’m gonna go sit and imagin slagpits and slap dunks and pray for any understanding or forgiveness…
July 9, 2013 @ 7:43 pm
Trigger,do you remember the SCM theme song contest from a couple years ago? After I read all these comments I kept hearing in my head a line from my submission; “…but we’ve got the voice of reason and we call him Triggerman.” I feel that you pointed out a reasonable view to an unreasonable mentality from an out of touch performer. I hope you stay the voice of reason and keep calling them like you see them.
July 11, 2013 @ 9:24 am
Shon, here ar the lyrics that have been going through my head. From “Sin City” by the Flying Burrito Brothers:
A friend came around
Tried to clean up this town
His ideas made some people mad
But he trusted his crowd
So he spoke right out loud
And they lost the best friend they had
Not saying it’s a perfect fit to this situation, but I think it does apply to some extent. And I love that song and that verse especially.
July 11, 2013 @ 5:16 pm
Excellent choice Jack! I love FBB and now you got that song stuck in my head and that’s a “positive” to come outta this here discussion now ain’t it!?
July 9, 2013 @ 7:48 pm
This shits getting really old..i like coming on this website and reading about bands i love but just shut up.. shooter will stop and talk to anyone that wants to..after a show i went to of his i was in a bar next door, he came in walked right up to me(probably cuz my hellbound glory shirt) but then he bought me and my girlfriend shots and talked to us for an hour..just leave him alone and move on..hes not the devil like u make him to be hes just shooter
July 9, 2013 @ 8:17 pm
I like Shooter and I like this site, so therefore I shall return later on. 🙂
July 9, 2013 @ 8:25 pm
i could care less about your cat fight with shooter but did we need proof of shooters lameness? he really has been riding coattails in the underground scene for a few years now and its sad to see folks buying into it.. you can bash shooter but i’d like to think that muddy roots is more responsible for allowing this to go down.. shooter is just doing what shooter does and they very easily could of told him “no and here is the door if you dont like it”.. the fact that shooter is being booked at these festivals as a headliner no less speaks volumes of these festivals and the scenes shift to trendiness.. save your cash and go see wayne hancock/ jb beverley /ray lawerence jr./james hand/banjerdan and get a real underground country experience.. i have to admit im not a shooter hater. i like his first lp but soon after he got rid of leroy it was apparent that he was the songwriter and shooter went over the cliff on his own
July 9, 2013 @ 8:29 pm
This shit again? I have come to this site for awhile, but never commented. I continue to come here for one reason, to find out about new good music. But I am tired of seeing this crap. I dont know why you cant see that you are turning people away.
I am not going to defend shooter on the meet and greet price. But i will say when i met shooter at moonrunners he was really awesome. He could have been a douche and stayed back stage like i had seen so many artists do at other concerts. But he wasnt like that, he came out and interacted with the people. I even managed to get a picture with him, and an autograph for my kids. Total cost was 0, unless you count entrance fee into the fest.
I know none of this will change your mind. Im just saying he seemed like a decent dude to me. But more than that I wanted to say think about your audience, and what they come here for. It certainly isnt this shit. Goodbye.
July 9, 2013 @ 9:45 pm
I dig the controversy. It gives this page its edge. Trigger has the perfect mix of news and hype.
July 9, 2013 @ 10:53 pm
Not true. You commented here, on the same article that Shooter trolled with one of his 13 different aliases that resulted in the quote on the top of his website.
https://savingcountrymusic.com/the-greatest-underground-country-albums-of-all-time#comment-351736
Look, I take great pride in listening to my readers and commenters, but every time I post a Shooter article, I see a slew of these same exact comments. They always say the same things, how they’ve read for a long time, but never commented, and they’re mad as hell and will never coming back. I’m not saying some of them are not true, or that maybe yours isn’t true. But many of them are simply attempts to make the situation look dire for SCM in lieu of legitimate arguments or reasoning to present against this site’s assertions about Shooter Jennings. If you don’t like these articles, don’t read them. But in the end I will have more readers if I follow my heart and not allow Shooter to use me or anyone else as a doormat, then to simply avoid the topic all together because a select few readers don’t like it.
July 9, 2013 @ 8:50 pm
For those that like him that much, let them pay. It is worth it to them. It is there money.
July 9, 2013 @ 9:00 pm
I read that Those poor bastards have the 1a.m. slot Friday night. Or does that make it saturday morn
Shooter can charge whatever he wants. I bill myself out at around a hundred bucks an hour myself for my extermination business. You couldnt catch me trying to get into that crowd of shooter fans for all the money in Tennessee.
July 9, 2013 @ 9:28 pm
I think it is commendable that guys like Jayke Orvis are willing to come on here and hash things out. I wish Shooter would do the same. Maybe then we could also get some straight answers about Bucky Covington and Struggle.
July 9, 2013 @ 10:10 pm
Can’t wait for DBF NW!!!! We are all VIP’s there!!!
July 9, 2013 @ 11:56 pm
One thing that cannot be questioned is the passion of opinions I see on this thread, pro and con. I totally understand the point you’re trying to make but, unfortunately, your personal and acrimonious precedent with Shooter somewhat compromises your journalistic integrity here. As well meaning and principled you may be, anything you report about Shooter will always come across as a personal attack which would explain this backlash you’re starting to get. I’ve been aware of this running ‘feud’ for a while now but honestly couldn’t tell you anything about it other than the fact that I know it exists. I simply don’t pay attention to it because I couldn’t care less. I come to SCM to read about MUSIC. I love your reviews and they often guide both my music purchases and potential bookings at my bar. You’ve turned me on to so many great bands and artists and for that I thank you.
I just met Shooter for the first time in May. I had gone up to NYC with Billy Don Burns to see him at The Bowery Ballroom and I found him to be a very gracious, down to earth, and solid dude. What I did notice however, is that while Shooter may be the talent, his tour manager was running the show. With that said, and yes in Shooter’s defense, to think that Shooter had anything to do with these “meet and greets” is a bit of an egregious claim. He’s managed by a team of people whose sole job is to increase his visibility and marketability in the industry. The whole concept of these “meet and greets” was no doubt dreamt up by some clueless mook sitting in an office somewhere in LA who doesn’t have the first clue what Muddy Roots, or any other independent festival, is all about. It’s a bad idea pure and simple but I’d leave the judgement to the people and his fans.
July 10, 2013 @ 12:12 am
I guess what I don’t get is why people are assuming I’m attempting to approach this article with “journalistic integrity” in the first place, because I clearly wasn’t. With the articles I recently posted on Randy Travis and David Allan Coe, yes, a journalistic approach was necessary. But with this, I’m pissed off, and I want that passion to come through in my writing. This isn’t a news piece, nor was it presented as such.
If this approach turns you off and you’d rather it be more dry, I can appreciate that. But I have NEVER heard that criticism with the dozens upon dozens of rants I’ve written over the years, stories on Scott Borchetta, Blake Shelton, Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, Taylor Swift, and on and on. So why do I have to approach Shooter this way? Basically that means treating him different than how I treat all of these other folks. And I refuse to do that.
Also you and everyone else should appreciate the concerted effort by Shooter fans to use the comment sections of Shooter articles to assert things about Saving Country Music that are not true, ie that the site is exclusively tabloid, that I’m bias against Shooter, that I do this for traffic because nobody reads by site anymore (like they are privy to this information {and the site is doing just fine}). With the lack of any legitimate counter-points, they simply try to discredit me as a source. But the facts remain. Shooter really is asking $85 for his meet and greets.
July 10, 2013 @ 9:31 am
Like I said Trig, I totally get the point you’re trying to make and I agree with you. While I think that the “meet and greets” might be somewhat acceptable at the larger concert venues as there are no doubt many fans of his that usually don’t get the kind of access that we enjoy at Muddy Roots. It’s their money and their choice to make whether to buck up or not to meet him. He has every right to generate revenue as he/they see(s) fit. But to do it at Muddy Roots, in the ‘barrier free’ environment that Jason and Anthony have cultivated, is a bad idea. Having been to the last 2 MRMFs, I would be genuinely surprised if anyone actually took them up on the offer.
And, I personally, genuinely enjoy the sarcasm and wit that you put in your articles. You crack me up. But all I was trying to say, your history with Shooter, unfortunately, will make anything you write about him come across as personal regardless of the topic
July 10, 2013 @ 7:42 am
This might be worth writting about but thought you may have learned writting about Shooter doesn’t help your cause…if it still is saving country music???
But I’ll defend this VIP package. It’s optional, it doesn’t mean Shooter wont be accessible to fans anyway. Some of us fans have money and will pay for access away from steerage like you.
Also, found it interesting you bring Kid Rock into the blog to make a point but when Kid started his paycut campaign, you were no where to report on it but to say your guy Leroy was touring with a ‘wet cigarette’ at over priced shows. But now Kid gets your attention?
July 10, 2013 @ 9:02 am
I would label this article under the ‘Amusing” section of SCM bEcause it’s fucking hilarious!
I am ONLY looking at this from the muddy roots Fest point of view, because that’s the only reason this effects me. I disagree with their choice to put him on the line-up, personally I could think of countless other bands I would rather see there. But I will just simply not watch his set.
But wtf is he gonna do? Go HIDE on the campgrounds until it time for him to play, only to then get off stage, have his fans form a line, hand him $85 for meet and greet, then go immediately back to his hiding spot? If someone approaches him before his set will he just ignore them? Or ask for money?! Fucking hilarious
I have 100% confidence in the guys at Muddy Roots, and do not hold them accountable at all, but this type of behavior is truly unexceptable and WAY out of place at a roots festival such as this.
July 10, 2013 @ 9:20 am
ditto
July 10, 2013 @ 9:19 am
I also think it would serve SCM best to probably drop all coverage or mention of Shooter. I think at this point there is enough backlog in the the archives that a newcomer can find Kyle’s overall opinion on what Shooter means to roots/country music. I think Kyle’s passionate negative reaction for Shooter’s actions have often put a foggy haze over what positivity the site brings to country music. I also think the friendship and positive encounters Jayke, Darren, and the Farm guys have had with Shooter naturally make them defiant to the negativity that falls on Shooter from this site.
That being said, I absolutely think charging for meet & greets at a place like Muddy Roots is the antithesis of the atmosphere there. I’m just trying to imagine Left Lane Cruiser charging me for standing around and bullshitting for 15 minutes before their set. Or Wayne and JB charging to hang out on Stage 1 in the rain while they played some impromptu tunes. Or instead of saying thank you to me like 6 times, James Hand would have charged me to shake his hand and sign his CD.
July 10, 2013 @ 11:07 pm
“I also think it would serve SCM best to probably drop all coverage or mention of Shooter.”
This is what Shooter wants. And that is also why he has personally tried to have comment sections on articles about him descend into chaos. I won’t be intimidated, or let apathy be a reason to not follow my heart and report on something I feel needs to be given attention.
Also, this article was not some retrenching of my Shooter opinion, this was Shooter doing another stupid thing, and me reporting on it.
If some mining company was tearing the top off of a mountain, and you went out to protest it, would you stop after the first day, since your grievance had already been registered? No, you would continue to protest until they stopped the mining. If people want to stop seeing the Shooter articles, the best way for that to happen is for Shooter to stop doing stupid shit.
July 11, 2013 @ 10:19 am
Your analogy gives a good glimpse of the delusional valor you think you are attaining with these articles. You truly think readers need to be warned of the giant piece of wool being pulled over our collective eyes by the David Koresh of country music, Shooter friggin Jennings.
You can’t see the forest for the trees, man. Or rather, for the one Shooter shaped tree that you’re convinced will infect the forest. Don’t worry, it won’t. You’re not the only forest ranger in the woods.
July 11, 2013 @ 11:04 am
Maybe the trouble is with the analogy, then. These last few months, there hasn’t really been much Shooter specific coverage here. In May, there was the response to Shooters accusations that Trigger hacked Moonrunners, which I don’t think he had any choice but to respond to forcefully. In March, there was the Gunslinger article and I think also the reviews on The White Trash Song and WIld and Lonesome. So that was a Shooter intensive month.
July 11, 2013 @ 11:24 am
That is the other folly of these “we’re tired of seeing all the negativity toward Shooter Jennings” comments. Funny how I don’t see this about Florida Georgia Line, even from Florida Georgia Line fans, even though I have devoted dramatically more time, energy, and articles on them in the last six months to Shooter, and it isn’t even close. It is conceit, and a farse to think that I am “obsessed” with Shooter Jennings simply because his name is the only reason some folks come to this website. Out of 380+ articles I will post this year, the Shooter coverage may amount to 5 or 6 total articles, if even that. AND SCM has STILL posted more neutral or positive articles on Shooter than negative ones. But do Shooter’s fans come to participate in those articles? Of course not. Foucusing on Shooter and negativity is a two way street. Shooter is simply on of many battles SCM is fighting, and honestly, I wouldn’t even put it in the top 5. Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton, Scott Borchetta, the intrusion of country rap, these are all bigger focuses of SCM than Shooter.
…and nobody said I was the only Forest Ranger. Again, what we seem to get is attacks on my character in lieu of legitimate arguments of why Shooter charging $85 for meet and greets is okay.
July 10, 2013 @ 11:16 am
Shooter needs to abandon this foolish notion, apologize and move forward being there for his fans.
Fans stick around even after the record companies find someone who sings better and is more attractive.
I think that Shooter has real talent.
I have like all but the last of his CDs and I plan to continue buying them when they are released.
I hope to see him follow the paths established by his parents, be grateful to his fans, play long sets and encores and enjoy life without spending his way into oblivion like so many of the singers who make it to the top only to find that massive amounts of wealth and accolades probably won’t last forever.
Let the big label singers buy and sell the Nashville homes which have their own zip codes, go bankrupt and then play Brason until they can’t even draw fans to those venues.
July 10, 2013 @ 11:24 am
This is kind of like watching the pig get slaughtered and then trying to enjoy the bacon. I am a fan of Shooter’s music, but am finding I am becoming less of a fan of him. Best case scenario hes left standing with his dick in his hand all by himself, well everyone else has some drinks with artist that are happy that someone took there hard earned money and paid to see a show. I would never pay to meet someone, but if someone is stupid enough to then that’s up to them. $85 can pay for a pretty good time at the local bar.
July 10, 2013 @ 12:57 pm
I saw shooter jennings a few weeks ago, and he signed autographs and took pictures after the show without charging anything.
If people want to pay 85 dollars for the package, that’s their prerogative. ‘
My guess is that you wouldn’t hang out with Shooter if he paid you, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Sorry, I can’t get outraged over this
July 10, 2013 @ 11:15 pm
” I saw shooter jennings a few weeks ago, and he signed autographs and took pictures after the show without charging anything.”
So if you had paid $85 for something that other people were getting for free (notwithstanding the merch it includes), wouldn’t you be mad? As disingenuous as it is to charge your fans $85 to meet you, it’s even more disingenuous to charge some fans for the privilege, and not others.
And folks, let’s please not lose sight that this is all predicated on the idea that Shooter is such a superior human to the rest of us, that you have to pay to shake his hand, or have your picture taken with him. Just appreciate the arrogance this displays.
July 10, 2013 @ 1:02 pm
I’m just here for the popcorn and sodas.
July 10, 2013 @ 1:50 pm
Trigger- My first reaction to this news yesterday was pretty one sided. Who does Shooter think he is? Then I realized that it doesn’t matter who he thinks he is. The point is that people will pay this fee for the meet and greet. And, the people that pay it will do so without hesitation, because there is value in it for them.
As one of the Farm members commented earlier, maybe Shooter plans of giving them a couple extra hours of playing music. Maybe Shooter will be passing around some bottles of TN whiskey and sharing stories in an intimate setting, and maybe he plans on using the money to put it back into the music he obviously loves.
The point is that no matter what kind of article you write if it is regarding Shooter Jennings you will continue to get these pissy, angry comments. Most people are tired of it.
And, the fact that there are musicians, promoters, and label owners that are a huge part of this movement getting upset at your Shooter bashing should speak volumes about Shooters possitive impact on this “scene”. I personally think you go too far with every Shooter related articel I’ve seen you write, and you paint a very unflattering image of yourself when expressing yourself in all caps arguing with the very artists that make this site possible. Where I’m from (TX) that is just plain disrespectful.
On a side note: I was hanging out with my brother and another buddy yesterday when I heard about Shooter charging for a meet and greet. All three of us are musicians and very avid fans and supporters of country music. But, we had never sat down and listened to any of Shooter’s music. A quick search on Youtube and about 15 minutes later we all agreed that his music wasn’t for us. Call it overproduced, mixed poorly, or whatever. I still can’t understand why people hate him other than the fact that he’s making big waves in the movement and he is successful.
July 10, 2013 @ 6:53 pm
Kyle you said ‘Let’s not blame Muddy Roots specifically for this’ after you wrote this article SPECIFICALLY singling out Muddy Roots and quoting Jason and Anthony in it. I have read and enjoyed many of your articles and it is unfortunate that you chose, for whatever reason, to stir up such unnecessary drama. Shooter is entitled to market himself however he sees fit whether you like it or not. It is in such poor taste that you would put Muddy Roots into the mix of your personal opinions and drama. Shame on you.
July 10, 2013 @ 11:34 pm
Honestly, I don’t see how any of this implicates Muddy Roots at all, and certainly isn’t “slinging out” anything. All I was doing by providing the initial quotes from Jason and Anthony of Muddy Roots was simply to set the context of why Shooter offering a VIP package at Muddy Roots was against the principles and culture of that particular festival.
I also did the same with Zale at Pickathon. So did I “sling out” Pickathon as well? Of course not, I simply was using verifiable quotes from other people to back my assertion that offering VIP perks is against the principles of grassroots festivals.
I have no knowledge if Shooter asked Muddy Roots if he could offer this VIP package, or if they worked together on it somehow. But seeing how Shooter is offering the package at every single one of his upcoming appearances (except for Farmaggedon Fest curiously), my guess is Shooter just assumed it would be okay. And no matter if Muddy Roots was involved, in the end the onus should be on Shooter to respect the culture when he plays a festival such as Muddy Roots.
What people need to appreciate is that Shooter cut his teeth in the mainstream world where this is the norm. That’s why I say all the time, he is a mainstream artist. He’s on the outside looking in on how the independent music world works. This latest episode is even more proof.
July 10, 2013 @ 10:11 pm
i would of thought that Jayke Orvis and Darren Darlarque would be incredibly busy with they’re own careers that they wouldn’t need to look for part time work as Shooter Jennings weed carriers…smh.
July 10, 2013 @ 10:18 pm
Have you ever considered you could possibly be obsessed with SJ? This is supposed to be about saving country music, but your negativity and persistence involving this “feud” is doing nothing but driving a wedge in the roots community. It’s no wonder that this scene is still underground, and some amazing artists aren’t getting their just due. The quote “they divide us so they can conquer us” keeps ringing in my head. This is a movement that needs to be united, and like it or not, SJ is a part of it and there is no amount of rhetoric that will change that. Now you could be the bigger man and use the SCM platform as a springboard for this movement, but it always seems to come back to this obsession.
Please choose to do the right thing and use this platform for positivity, not mudslinging. There is already enough of that in the world. SCM fans will appreciate it, artists and fans of the scene will appreciate it, and you will come to appreciate it. Let go of the hate and contempt in your heart, life is too short for that shit. You are a good writer and could really make a difference in the scene if you focused on the positives. There is way too much good music, venues, and people to waste time or space on mudslinging/feuds/negativity. Remember you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
July 10, 2013 @ 11:56 pm
Ha!
So let’s just consider this for a second. So I call out Shooter for offering a VIP package at an independent festival, and this is considered “obsessed.”
SO what are we then supposed to consider Shooter when he publicy tried to extort me by saying he had evidence that I hacked his site and it was going to resort in “federal charges of the highest order.” And of course, it all turned out to be complete bullshit.
https://savingcountrymusic.com/shooter-jennings-threatens-federal-charges-against-scm
Oh, and then there’s the fact that Shooter was perpetuation 13 different alias comment names on this site, posting over 150 comments in an attempt to undermine this site, including trolling an article he wasn’t even mentioned in, and then pulling a quote from my response and putting it at the very top of his website and press releases.
But Shooter is never charged with being negative or a divider. Oh, but that’s probably because I met him once, and gee, he was such a nice guy.
“This is a movement that needs to be united, and like it or not, SJ is a part of it.
No he’s not. He’s a mainstream artist that charges his fans $85 to shake their hands and cuts pop country songs and pop country videos with with the Nickelback of Country Music, Bucky Covington. Shooter’s also a subversive element in country, pointing a tank at the Country Music Hall of Fame, and turning his dad’s songs into rap remixes. Shooter has no material similarity to underground music whatsoever, he is the opposite of underground. And this latest episode proves it. I will never hitch my wagon to Shooter because it would mean the selling out of every one of this site’s core principles.
Also, I focus on the positives all the time, it’s the readers who are not. You as readers have choices to make. Why did you not read the recent features on Lindi Ortega, Austin Lucas, David Allan Coe, Willie’s 4th of July picnic that I spend 15 hours putting together, the story on Charles Carr, or 5 Artists that have made it this year, or the feature on Patty Griffin, or on Brent Amaker & The Rodeo? All of these articles are on the home page. They’re all right here for you to read. BUt you instead decided to read this one. Saving Country Music IS focusing on the positive. It is the readers who are focusing on the negative.
August 9, 2013 @ 9:12 am
Selling out every one of this site’s core principles? Kinda like having a Luke Bryan ad on the top of the SCM page? How’s that not selling out? Seems a bit hypocritical.
August 9, 2013 @ 9:45 am
A very simple, elementary understanding of how the internet works would afford you the knowledge of Google ads and how their content is chosen. If you think SCM is purposefully advertising Luke Bryan, and you choose to attempt to spread that information, the only fool you are going to make is out of yourself. The fact that you’re seeing a Luke Bryan ad says more about your own browsing habits and tastes than it does any actions by SCM. If I saw the ad, I could eliminate it, but I’m not. And since you apparently have sufficient bile built up against this site, you can take solace to know that SCM hemorrhages money every month, and that the miniscule revenue one Google ad brings in in no way covers the expenses of a site that must facilitate 140,000 visits a month must pay out.
August 9, 2013 @ 4:01 pm
Those who can afford to should hit the donate button and donate something ($1, $5, $25, $50, etc.) to help pay the bills for a month to keep this site going. Or buy ad space. Many places promoting artists charge for that promotion. And “Support SCM and start your Amazon shopping here.” I have no financial interest in this site but know how it works.
July 11, 2013 @ 12:48 am
And by the way, the reason underground country is still underground is not because of some ding dong blogger. It is because the focus went away from the music, and the underground’s promotional plan is to grab onto the butt hairs of Shooter Jennings and hope he delivers them to the Promised Land. The artists that are doing well are the ones that are getting away from the underground and its image-driven popularity contests that have nothing to do with the music.
July 11, 2013 @ 11:56 am
I haven’t read everything involved in this whole deal and I don’t plan on it, but I just want to say that I really wished you hadn’t written this article. Now there is yet another who said, she said battle among our already small community. It might sound inane but I don’t want to even get on Facebook when stuff like this is going on because my news feed is suffocating from negativity. It makes me sad that Muddy Roots is even mentioned in an article that brings so much drama. I owe so much to Jason and Anthony for everything they have done for me and so many of us. It kills me that I won’t be there this year because I know I will miss three days of life changing moments and complete bliss. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but we will wither away as a community if we start creating clicks and groups. We are all broken and flawed, that is why we are family right? I just hate to see you guys at each other throats and hope we can put aside our differences and stay together as the dysfunctional family that we are. Nasty words and shit-talking isn’t cool and starts wars. I’ll miss you guys this year at Muddy Roots. Keep it chill out there and remember that we are all in this together. Just trying to exist and get by like everyone else out there.
July 11, 2013 @ 1:21 pm
Trigger,
I don’t know you or your writing but sounds to me like you’ve been gaining popularity by riding on Shooter’s coattails for a while now! Leave the man alone! You say you’re “savingcountrymusic” sounds to me like you might as well be writing for People magazine or some other gossip magazine. Bashing people just to get a rise out of people or to get them to read your blog…… Come on man. If you don’t like Shooter talk about other guys like Sturgill Simpson, unless you’re gonna start talking crap about him too.
July 11, 2013 @ 2:45 pm
See, this is the perfect example of why folks who come here only for the one Shooter article posted here every three months (roughly 1 out of every 100 articles) should at least take a cursory sniff around the site before deciding to criticize it.
By the way, who is this Sturgill Simpson guy you speak of?
https://savingcountrymusic.com/5-worthy-artists-finding-success-in-2013
SCM Premiered his 1st music video.
https://savingcountrymusic.com/sturgill-simpson-goes-godzillabilly-in-railroad-of-sin-video-premier
https://savingcountrymusic.com/saving-country-musics-best-albums-of-2013-so-far
https://savingcountrymusic.com/album-review-sturgill-simpsons-high-top-mountain
https://savingcountrymusic.com/saving-country-musics-best-songs-of-2013-so-far
https://savingcountrymusic.com/sturgill-simpson-talks-high-top-mountain
https://savingcountrymusic.com/sturgill-simpson-live-at-sun-king-brewery
https://savingcountrymusic.com/7-men-who-could-immediately-make-country-music-better
https://savingcountrymusic.com/sturgill-simpson-to-release-high-top-mountain-june-11th
https://savingcountrymusic.com/sturgill-simpson-retools-for-2013-live-review
https://savingcountrymusic.com/2012-saving-country-music-song-of-the-year-nominees
https://savingcountrymusic.com/sturgill-simpsons-life-aint-fair-the-world-is-mean
https://savingcountrymusic.com/sunday-valley-becomes-sturgill-simpson-the-high-top-mountain-boys
https://savingcountrymusic.com/go-ready-bands-in-country-music-right-now
https://savingcountrymusic.com/recap-saving-muddy-hillgrass-xsxsw-5-2012
https://savingcountrymusic.com/saving-country-musics-best-live-performances-of-2011
https://savingcountrymusic.com/sunday-valley-album-review-epk
Maybe I’m “obsessed” with Sturgill, or riding his coattails too.
July 11, 2013 @ 6:41 pm
First of all having never attended the Muddy Roots Festival, I cannot speak to access that fans have had and do have to artists performing at the event. Also, having never followed this ongoing feud between the two of you, I don’t know, nor do I care what has happened in the past. Now what I do take exception with is the blatant lies about what the Shooter Jennings VIP Upgrade is and is not about, as I do have direct knowledge of this experience. I saw Shooter earlier this year at a venue here in Texas and I did purchase the VIP upgrade and will say as far as I am concerned it was money well spent. I am able to afford the ability to spend the extra $85 for this experience and it was totally my choice to spend the money, otherwise I could have attended just the concert for $15 like many other fans did that night. My experience with the VIP upgrade was more than just a hello, a handshake and a picture, Shooter spent time standing around talking with those of us who had purchased the upgrade, we were provided beer to drink while the VIP portion was going on. I had never met Shooter before that night and I found him to be very down to earth and very easy to talk with on any subject that came up, from his music to his family. You say that Keith Urban only charges half the amount Shooter is asking, but what is the difference in the price of a Keith Urban concert ticket versus a ticket to a Shooter Jennings show? I would be willing to bet there is quite a big difference in the price. So as others have said it is a choice whether to purchase the upgrade and if you feel it is too much then you don’t have to make the purchase. I chose to do it in the past and if I have the opportunity I will again, that is the great thing about living in the United States, I am free to make that choice.
July 11, 2013 @ 6:53 pm
Glenn,
At no point in this article or the proceeding comments did I say anything about Shooter Jennings short changing the people that purchased the VIP package, not spending enough time with them, or anything like that. In fact I have a specific picture in the article of what the VIP package includes, so I’m not sure where the “blatant lies” come in. Aside from my opinion that the asking price is egregious, I have no doubt that Shooter treats the VIP purchasers well, nor have I implied any different.
July 12, 2013 @ 3:13 pm
“Shooter is now asking his hard working fans for $85 simply for the opportunity to shake his hand right before his show and walk away with a tote bag…..
What do you get for your $85? A T-shirt, a tote bag, 5 guitar picks (that grand total will cost Shooter less than $12-$15 wholesale), and this is my favorite one, an “Invitation to pre-show private shopping experience.” That”™s right folks, for your hard earned $85, you get the exclusive opportunity to spend even more money on Shooter”™s merch. What you don”™t get for $85? Actual admittance to the show. That will cost you extra”
Yeah, you didn’t short change it at all.
July 11, 2013 @ 6:50 pm
You hit the nail on the head w/this blog and had the balls to call it for what it really is. Stick to yer guns!!
July 11, 2013 @ 8:09 pm
So I guess Jon Hensley is admitting a “stupid asshole” made him and shooter change their minds a bit..Who’s the “stupid” one again?
July 11, 2013 @ 9:14 pm
This is the same adolescent bravado that perpetually oozes from the Shooter camp. I’m sure all the independent artists that have come to Shooter’s defense can relate to having an organization so big the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing, and you get to have glorified hanger’s on make statements for you. It’s funny how there were two separate comments about Shooter’s manager being a dill before he stuck his nose in to this, and now that we’ve heard from him, he proves it himself. This is the type of conceited refuse Shooter attracts.
July 11, 2013 @ 8:32 pm
The old “hiding behind a computer” line. How original. And if a blogger has a problem with their VIP packages, well, they can address it face to face. But first, they’ll have to fork over the $85 for the privilege. Hilarious.
July 11, 2013 @ 9:08 pm
Genius, Jack.
July 11, 2013 @ 8:55 pm
all i know is that Sturgill Simpson came over and talked to me and my wife for 15 min for no other reason than me being an over Zealous excited fan. No line just a chance meeting that he didnt have to be so cordial about. i felt so dumb because i didnt want to lead on how he is like a hero to me. he was geniunally flattered and humble. This comes from chipping away at the “Scene” for a long time, tons of sweat and blood. TRUE GRIT as they call it. Shooter did offer a free VIP that no one seems to talk about. Same as the other just no gift bag. Shooterjenningsstreatteam is what they called it. We were set up to go after the show then i realised AFTER THE SHOW that they had changed the time to pre show. I eventually found that email . NE WAY it was all good his tour manager was just a super dick and very “Sorry bout ya” shooter already left. Yeah 4 min after encore. Not shooters fault but i talked to several fans that did go FOR FREE and enjoyed it.
Regardless
STURGILL SIMPSON IS THE BADEST MITHER FUCKER ALIVE!!
July 11, 2013 @ 9:17 pm
Agreed with your Sturgill quote. I feel like a fanboy whenever it comes to him. Every time I see an article about him, I hop on it. All thanks to SavingCountryMusic, so Trig, you must be doing something right, because you diffidently introduced me, and I’m sure many others, to one of the best REAL country musicians out there.
And on the topic of Sturgill being nice; he looks like a really humble and honest guy. I mean look where he comes from. He left working to do what he loves, he didn’t grow into this. He worked his ass off, and I have nothing but love and respect for him.
July 11, 2013 @ 9:03 pm
I come to this site (and enjoy reading the commentary/articles) about every 2 to 3 weeks. I don’t read everything, but I read a few entries when I notice somewhere else that something interesting has been posted.
Until I scanned this thread I had no idea there was a huge Shooter/Kyle feud. I can tell you that I’m tired of the comment thread already and I’m pretty sure that people bitching about the feud must be more boring than the actual thing.
I’ve found a lot of good music I wouldn’t have heard of otherwise through this site and I notice that Kyle is taking the time to communicate with everyone who is complaining. Whether you agree with him or not he’s communicating with commenters, treating them civilly and addressing questions asked and comments raised.
If people keep asking him about Shooter – how is he supposed to maintain his rapport and also stop talking about Shooter?
July 11, 2013 @ 9:06 pm
Gotta say, for someone who’s supposed to be well into the Roots thing, I’m not that pleased that Shooter would do something like this. However, at least now that they just narrowed it down to just his shows, I’m pretty much “whatever” about this . . . personally I think this is more that asshole manager’s idea than it is HIS. Of course, I can’t pass any judgement on anything since I don’t know anyone here.
As for the Shooter vs. SCM thing, WHO CARES?! He owned up to trolling (took him long enough) and making up the whole hacking thing. Personally, I don’t think there’s a feud. Just two different paths to a similar destination. One likes to kiss ass and the other likes to kick ass. Will say this though, I get more of a kick of the supposed “feud” being between two firearm-related-nicknamed folks (let’s just call it the gunfight already!) than the actual so-called conflict himself. For all I know, Shooter’s a cool guy when not being kinda pompous. Trig (or Kyle, whichever one you like), for all I know you’re an awesome guy when not having to call bullshit. Looks like the fight’s just being carried out by the other peeps on here than it is Shooter, or you.
Probably won’t do for me to say “give it a rest” so I’ll do the next best thing: go get some popcorn and a soda, and sit down to watch the fireworks.
All the best,
C.J. Benoit
Guitarist/Singer
Los Swamp Monsters/Stranded Travelers/Solo.
ps: I know it isn’t relevant, but what’re your thoughts on “Big” Al Anderson’s music?
July 11, 2013 @ 9:19 pm
Not particularly familiar with it. I will have to check it out.
July 11, 2013 @ 9:28 pm
He’s really good. Worth every dime spent on his cds in my opinion (NO, this isn’t him. Just a fan.). He kind of reminds me of Dave Edmunds in his work, especially as a lead guitarist. He’s also written several songs that turned out to be hits. Many actually appeared on the radio sung by other artists, but he does ’em much better.
Also helps that he was in NRBQ for a while.
July 11, 2013 @ 9:46 pm
Have to admit that his music (Sturg) CANNOT leave my ears for too long havent felt that way about ANY music since i was a freshmen in HS. I listen to all music but real country is what gets it for me. His style of expression is unmatched and brutally honest. I dont know of any artist that passionate and Piercing at the same time. underground OR mainstream. Its been pissing me off today that when i did meet him i didnt have anything better to say than sooo where you guys goin next. Oh wel i feel confident that given the chance he will be as gracious as he was At Sunking brewery. Actualy now im pissed that this post is going to get lost beneath 3 days of SJ SCM posts’ oh well needed to get it out. And yes thank you to Trigger for helping turn us all on to (in my opinion) is SO FAR the most underapriciated artist of today. I hope and pray that it will Break big for him soon. For his and for all our sakes. Thx sorry for the blabbering Gotta get it out!!!
July 11, 2013 @ 10:02 pm
I’ll get up $90 bucks to get my fellow Alabamian to sign an LP for my 2 year old son’s birthday(7-14), Shepard Jennings. I’m definitely here: http://www.ryman.com/event/detail/jasonisbell.html
Just coincidence on my last name, but Adam Hood, Chris Posey, Dooley, & Eady will most definitely remember me requesting “Uncle Waylon” songs. Not “Uncle Shooter” though I jam his tracks, too. It’s just an age deal, but let’s focus on keeping “mud_rap-country” (whatever they call it) off air waves. Be good folks. It works & nobody’s at fault.
Nobody is ever ‘right’ in an argument. We all apparently turned this into something it ain’t. $85 is what I spent for my wife and I to go see JI @ THE RYMAN.
Nuff said. Y’all drop it… like itz hot
gyxjec
July 11, 2013 @ 10:21 pm
atta boy Shooter…Muddy Roots is gig where you go to make fans,not money. believe me,you made the right decision.
July 11, 2013 @ 11:47 pm
I think you chose the term Svengali to describe him, because of your affinity for the television series Seinfeld.
July 12, 2013 @ 6:56 am
First off, I enjoy coming to this site to find new artists that maybe I’ve never heard of or to find out about new releases from some I have. Also, I’m a big fan of Shooter Jennings’ music, don’t know the guy personally, met him one time after a show, had a beer, took a picture, shook his hand, seemed like a nice enough guy. Clearly you two don’t care for one another. Here’s my problem, you want to write up little articles like this that take personal shots at his character, at him riding his dads name, etc. but you don’t even offer a review of The Other Life when it came out. I thought this website was supposed to be devoted to music, yet you can’t even offer an opinion on his latest album. You mentioned something about how people don’t react as much to Florida-Georgia Line reviews/articles, well that’s probably because most of us don’t give a flying fuck about them. If people wouldn’t play their shitty music on TouchTunes machines in bars I would never even have heard a complete song by them. I understand you can’t devote your page solely to music reviews because people do enjoy the mainstream news, rants, and bashing, I get that. But this is clearly more personal. Shooter isn’t the enemy of country music, roots music, alt country or whatever anybody wants to call it; he’s the enemy of savingcountrymusic.com. That’s all it is. You talk about him thinking he’s superior because of this idea to sell VIP packages, and because of the absurdity of trying something like this at a roots concert YOU MUST BRING HIM DOWN. That’s one of the most delusional things I’ve heard in a long time. You are the only person spouting off about this Shooter Jennings superiority complex while others like Jayke Orvis, Justin Wells, etc are on here defending him. But of course they only defend him because he is an ass kisser. OR maybe, just maybe, some where along the line he helped them with their careers, tried to get them some attention, make them a little money so they can keep doing what they want to do, make music. There aren’t nearly enough people getting the message about some of the great fucking music being made today (and specifically just this year, 6 months in – Orvis, Boland, Isbell, Moreland, Shooter, Fifth On the Floor, and so many more, wow) and attacks like this aren’t going to help the cause. This site has turned me to guys like Sturgill Simpson and thank you for that, his new album is great, listen to it nonstop, but this childish petty little bullshit feud does nothing for anybody. Not you, not Shooter, not country music.
July 12, 2013 @ 2:01 pm
First off, I have NEVER said or implied that Shooter Jennings is riding off of his daddy’s name. In fact I bristle at that accusation about ANY son or daughter of a famous country star, and have specifically defended Shooter over the years on this point, saying that he has talent all his own.
Also, understand that, if I am to believe Shooter’s management, Shooter was ALSO angry that these VIP packages were being offered at Muddy Roots, and that is why they have pulled that option. Shooter’s opinion also flies in the face of folks like Jayke and Darren who said these VIP packages at grassroots festivals are not a problem. Clearly, Shooter feels differently, and has done something about it. This apparently is one thing both Shooter and I are in agreement on.
And in the end, I am not going to change my opinions because it is cool in a “scene” or to a select few artists. One of the reasons I brought this topic up was because artists had come to me saying this was a violation of the spirit of the festival, and wanting me to do something about it.
Long story short, they VIP option has been eliminated at Shooter’s festival stops, and I will mark that as a victory, however dirty the process was to get there.
July 12, 2013 @ 3:22 pm
I’m keeping score here, it’s 0-0, but the rest of us are losers having to read and hear about this nonsensical feud. I feel like you ignored most of what I said, but I guess my main point that got lost in my rambling was…. why all the negative attention you give Shooter for his career and/or personal decisions, but no full album review? This is supposed to be about the music first, right?
July 12, 2013 @ 4:22 pm
“but the rest of us are losers having to read and hear about this nonsensical feud.”
No you don’t. You’ve made the choice to read this, and then to take the effort to comment on it. If you don’t want to read it, don’t read it. Funny how I never get complaints that nobody wants to read my album reviews, they just don’t. And then the one occasion every three months I post about Shooter, they wonder why I can’t cover something positive.
I have no obligation to write a review of anything. There’s 10 albums released every week that I could review. Are you not aware of the album? Do you not have your own opinions on it? So why do you want to see a review from me? This just further proves that people don’t want to read reviews to be turned on to new music, they want them to simply validate their opinions. So what is the use in that?
But specifically the reason I have not reviewed “The Other Life” is because Shooter’s asshat fans can’t behave themselves in the comment sections.
And love how folks are still posting how they’re tired of seeing the drama four days after this article was posted. FACT: The people who say they’re tired of the negativity or drama are the first to put their noses into it, and the last to take it out.
July 12, 2013 @ 4:37 pm
I think you meant “The Other Life.” And I thank you for not reviewing it, especially after Gunslinger-gate.
July 13, 2013 @ 5:54 am
“But specifically the reason I have not reviewed “The Other Life” is because Shooter”™s asshat fans can”™t behave themselves in the comment sections.”
Now you are just flat out contradicting yourself. You can’t write a review on the guys album because of his “asshat fans” but instead can write an article tearing apart decisions that were probably not even made by the man himself? The last part is irrelevant because he still participated in the damn thing but you get my point. Yeah, I formed my own opinion on the album months ago and whatever you have to say about it wouldn’t change my opinion. I was just trying to get my point across about the music being the most important aspect. I take the effort to read almost everything you post on this site regardless of what is, and I read the reviews in an attempt to seek out new artists and music I haven’t heard before (ie Sturgill Simpson), not to validate any opinion, whether it be positive or negative.
July 12, 2013 @ 7:35 am
For every person who thinks this is more of a personal vendetta, there is one who realizes your righteous indignation. I wont even like Shooter’s facebook page, thats how much I despise his attempts to cash in the roots movement. This isn’t the first time, nor the last, actually his entire career is based around just that. I hope he hits it big and goes on to the nashville scene. Leave the rest of us alone. Waylon didnt do it this way.
Thanks Trigger
July 12, 2013 @ 7:39 am
This crap is unbelievable. All you Shooter apologists are so full of it. If y’all would just shut up, this thread would go away and get buried. Instead, you keep piling on and drawing this thing out.
First off, this is Trigger’s site. He can post what he wants to and he can say whatever he thinks needs to be said. Y’all keep saying that Shooter can do what he wants demand what he wants from his fans and if they want to pay it, let them and if they don’t want to pay, they don’t have to. Well, that cuts both ways because Trigger can post what he wants and if you want to read it great. If you don’t want to read something critical about Shooter don’t. But don’t throw a tantrum just because Trigger is pointing out shortcomings about someone you don’t like. He obviously has an axe to grind against Florida Georgia Line and country rap, but no fans of that group/”genre” are taking him to task for some honest assessments.
Speaking of country rap, whatever credibility Shooter had with me went out the window with his presence on this:
http://www.amazon.com/I-Am-Struggle/dp/B00CUQJ4CW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1373639080&sr=8-2&keywords=i+am+struggle
Not only is he on it, but he facilitated the corruption, abuse, and degradation of his father’s music. Waylon’s music belongs to all of us and has been with us at important moments of our lives and it means something to us. Shooter obviously doesn’t give a rats ass about what it means, what country music means and for its traditions. Obviously he wants to make a buck (or $85 to shake his hand).
Of course, we could go into the Bucky Covington travesty or many of the other things Shooter has perpetrated, but Trigger has pointed all of this out more than adequately. Let Shooter’s actions speak for themselves and if they fall short, let those that will point them out do so, but don’t throw a hissy-fit because the effect had a cause.
July 12, 2013 @ 9:28 am
I am at a loss. Trigger Man is a my friend, and Shooter is my friend. I can defend them both in this sense: Trigger Man has his ear to the ground with music. He always has. I respect what he’s done to keep people informed about the real deal, non-Nashville music out there. He reviews things honestly, and spreads the word whenever and however he can. I don’t understand why there are more posts that are anti-Shooter than there are posts that are pro-music. There are a lot of bands, Cd’s, labels, and tours that are worth talking about… To take the time to drag Shooter down takes away from that. It’s not the way I’d go, but this isn’t my site. Free will is a motherfucker.
I can also say that in the few years I’ve known Shooter, the only “meet and greets” he’s ever done were FREE and for Kids With Cancer and Veteran’s organizations. I’ve NEVER heard of him charging a dime for something like that. This is not to say it hasn’t happened.. But it’d be a first that I’ve heard.
I have asked both Trigger and Shooter to drop this lame feud. To my knowledge, Shooter has.. Kyle, I hope you will too. Your talents are better served promoting music rather than promoting negativity.
As far as I’m concerned, you two should box each other at Muddy Roots or something and donate the money to Wounded Warriors or something, and end this shit once and for all. It’s old. You’re both better than this, and it’s a shame to see so many post that aren’t about new bands, new records, and tours going on. I just came off a few weeks on the road and would have loved the support.
Anyway, Godspeed to you both. Cheers. -JB
July 12, 2013 @ 1:04 pm
“I don”™t understand why there are more posts that are anti-Shooter than there are posts that are pro-music.”
You obviously don’t read many of the articles, because that’s simply not true.
July 12, 2013 @ 2:50 pm
I agree. Would be much cooler to hear about a tour or a new album than this crap. Trig does cover a good deal of that stuff to his credit… I don’t personally give two shits if Shooter wants to make a buck on a meet-and-greet. I also don’t doubt that he is generally great to his fans. If some dip-shit wants to pay to meet someone then they deserve to lose their money. Also, I last saw you tour in Spokane with Hank3 back in ’05. It was awesome. I would love to get the chance to see you again soon after your album comes out this fall.
July 12, 2013 @ 11:43 am
Basically it comes down to this
As I said before STURGILL SIMPSON IS THE BADEST MAN ALIVE
Any other topic is just irrelevant at this point.
Did yall know his lead guitarist Adam had to leave the group and sturgill is playing lead guitar. THATS WORTH TALKING ABOUT.
Everyone gets what they are due in the end.
In the Words of =W= and willie
“He aint wrong hes just different but his pride wont let him DO THINGS TO MAKE YOU THINK HES RITE”
July 12, 2013 @ 3:21 pm
“STURGILL SIMPSON IS THE BADEST* MITHER FUCKER ALIVE!!”
“As I said before STURGILL SIMPSON IS THE BADEST* MAN ALIVE”
***BADDEST (Double Down on you D’s, Please)
I think what they were trying to say is that:
Mr. Simpson is THE MOST BUDDHIST AND OEDIPAL MAN TO EVER LIVE. EVER.
To which I say Bravo!!! I’m more impressed with his music, myself, but these are some interesting personal facts as well!
PS – I kind of like JB Beverly’s charity boxing match solution (Trigger vs Shooter), but who knows how much it would cost to get Mr. Jennings to do that…….if we’re talking $85 per handshake / photo, I’m thinking a full-on boxing match would be easily $10K. If it were to be more of an MMA style match (maybe a cage fight?), you’d be looking at $100K.
July 12, 2013 @ 1:09 pm
Judging by his response, it’s seems to me that Mr. Hensley should take a look in the mirror before he starts throwing around words like “stupid” and “asshole.”
I think Trigger was being very gracious in calling the response “high school.” I’d say more like elementary school playground.
July 12, 2013 @ 3:10 pm
we need some sort of Woody Guthrie school for musician ethics for all the popstars out there…
July 12, 2013 @ 6:42 pm
My bad for the grammar issues big thumbs small phone.
This is a blog rite not spelling/english class??
spelling police
“please spell words correctly”¦”¦UHHHH!!! but i want to see these Guys fight YEAH”
I know lets put it on WWE well get the smack talk and all.
Are you an english major or fight promoter. Or both
Edgar Allan King.”¦No
King Edgar”¦”¦No
DON POE”¦”¦ YES!!!!!! ”¦”¦”¦”¦”¦”¦ASS!!!
July 12, 2013 @ 6:52 pm
And how is Sturgil playing lead guitar ( at least for now) not talking about his music????
Seems pretty relevent given his high potentcy on the Telecaster.
Did I spell that right?????
LMAO
all good man just giving it back to ya
July 13, 2013 @ 2:53 pm
I’m with JB on this one. I believe I mentioned a boxing match between Trigger & Shooter on one of the last Shooter articles as well. The donation to charity is a great idea. I bet y’all would get a good turnout and put a nice dent in a charity. Duke it out guys! Hell, charge for an Internet podcast of it o folks who can’t make the fest. It’d be awesome. Shooter fans and Trigger fans could place bets ad the whole bit. A lot of friends would be made and good times for all. Do it!!
July 13, 2013 @ 5:44 pm
That match would have very lop-sided odds. All the smart money would very much be in one corner.
July 13, 2013 @ 9:33 pm
I’ve never seen Triggerman so I don’t know. But I’m sure he has a height advantage over Shooter. But that doesn’t mean much. The hardest I’ve ever been hit was by a shorter guy. Damn near knocked me out.
July 14, 2013 @ 10:09 am
And let’s not forget Shooter has that deadly motherfuckin’ trigger finger.
July 14, 2013 @ 12:27 am
$ 85 for a meeting? Sounds like a real prostitue’s offer. No offence to the ladies working in that profession 🙂
July 14, 2013 @ 9:50 am
http://www.nme.com/news/alice-cooper/69396
$10,000 bucks to golf with Alice Cooper!?
July 15, 2013 @ 9:19 am
Keep the faith in real music – support blogs like SCM, rally behind Triggerman and keep the commercial crap out of our country and bluegrass music god given birthright. Read and commit to memory The Mission below.
Thanks for being here Kyle. Love ya.
July 19, 2013 @ 9:38 am
I hate everything to do with the term VIP. If you are a VIP you are probably on a guest list. If you bought a ticket you bought the one you can afford and ain’t no different than the rest of the herd. Velvet ropes are pretty useless when it comes to getting any work done.
January 15, 2014 @ 10:40 am
Just want to share my experience. I did pay for the upgrade package. I found the VIP experience to be wonderful. It is not the same as meeting him in the bar where if you are lucky you get 2 minutes before someone interrupts your conversation. The experience for me to meet someone who I enjoy and and have a thoughtful conversation in a relaxed atmosphere. I have purchased a similar package for another artists who where nowhere near as nice as Shooter and his staff where. I am putting this out there so if anyone else wants to know is it worth it yes it is in my opinion.
February 10, 2014 @ 1:20 pm
My husband and I bought Meet & Greet packages to see Shooter this past year. We were promised an acoustic set before his show, which we did not get. That wasn’t Shooter’s fault, as the venue didn’t have the space for it, but we sure didn’t get offered any money back. That’s $170 + fees + tickets. They didn’t even have the VIP merch, even though we put in our sizes ahead of time, as requested by them.
We still love Shooter and we would do it again, but it would be great for him to think about his loyal fans who are putting up a lot of money (for us) and not getting what we paid for.