Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Reaction: Church and Stones
By Marty Smith
Given my friendship with Eric Church, I've been innundated with requests for feedback regarding his comments in the Rolling Stone article. In this instance 140-character responses don't suffice. So I figured it best to simply write about it.
So... here are my thoughts ->
Having spoken with Eric, I have context on the matter most do not. And context in any debate is critical to truth, fairness and accuracy. A quote can be accurate verbatim, but contextually misleading.
Eric said what he said and he has to own it. And he does own it.
But that doesn't mean we have the true scope of how he said what -- and at what point of a much broader conversation the words were stated. I'm not saying the writer took him out of context. Not even. But any writer will tell you that there is potential during any story for the context of his or her keystrokes to change a bit during the editing process.
Oftentimes in my job we are handed sheets of paper with quotes from racecar drivers. They are words on paper. And when read they are at times eye-popping, seemingly condescending or controversial for those reporters that weren't present when they were said. It is important to see HOW they were said.
A comment said while laughing is taken completely differently by those present than it is by those reading it on a piece of paper. Yes, those exact words were stated. But body language and voice inflection say every bit as much as the words themselves.
Not that Eric was laughing about the Idol-driven fast-track-to-fame dynamic. Because he wasn't. He genuinely doesn't appreciate it. That is not debatable. But that sentiment is not about the people. It's about the process.
Oddly enough that's why, when he names Blake Shelton and CeeLo Green in the Rolling Stone piece, it's not necessarly about Blake Shelton or CeeLo Green. They -- unfortunately -- merely provided the motor in the magazine vehicle that delivered the larger message.
He shouldn't have named names. Period. That was a mistake, and also is not debatable.
Shelton and Green are livid. And given what they read, I can see why. From there it was a runaway freight train. In instances like this reactions are quick and sides form immediately, based on personal allegiences.
The reaction has been crazy. Some of Blake's closest friends are some of my closest friends. They've asked for answers and I've not responded until now.
But Eric is my best friend. He's a badass, genuinely. I know his heart and I support him.
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Marty - I'm glad you posted this. I'm a doctoral student, I've studied media literacy. People are so quick to judge a speaker without even stopping to question the outlet its coming from. Drama sells, everyone should know that. The media is quick to set up fake rivalries where none existed. I'm still a fan of EC's. I hope Blake and Miranda can see past the printed words, they are all great artists.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's because I've lived this long inside the music biz mindset, but the names didn't matter to me. I know exactly what Eric meant because I think it myself.
ReplyDeleteI have been refreshing my twitter feed ALL. DAY. LONG. waiting for you to put a common sense twist on something that made no sense to me. I am not an artist, but I am a country music fan tried and true. I LOVE Eric's music. But I also love Miranda and Blake. I hate reality television as a whole. I understood and agreed wholeheartedly with the context of what Eric meant, but I also disagreed greatly with his delivery. I hope that those involved can have a genuine conversation, put out the fires, and move on like Jeff and Jimmie after a crash on the track. And I really hope that Eric hasn't just created his own demise by pissing off the legions of followers of Country's power couple. Country music fans are nothing if not loyal. Go pissing them off because you bad mouthed someone of importance, and it could mean the end. Just ask the Dixie Chicks.
ReplyDeleteIf he genuinely despises that "fast-track to fame" then why did he go on tour with someone who took that path? A simple no could have sufficed. Naming names was bad, yes, but he used someone who took that path as a way to get his own name out there. Not quite the pot calling the kettle black, but without that aid, he may not be where he is now. She helped get his name out there, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts, Marty! I've been a huge Eric fan since the beginning, so I would have supported him either way. But, I do think he's voiced something a lot of us are thinking.
ReplyDeleteI think it's got to be hard being in Eric's shoes when people around him take the fast track and win awards/sell ridiculous amounts of records/become more popular because of their success on TV. He continues to be overlooked by the Academy and others who vote on these awards. Chief was a pretty badass album and Springsteen is (in my opinion) the best song on Country radio right now. Jason Aldean got overlooked as well. Both Aldean and Church sing country music, not pop; and it seems the Academy is voting towards the pop/country artists just to gain popularity instead of giving credit where it's due.
ReplyDeleteI swear the ACMs and CMAs had Church as a Best New Artist for a couple of years recently and I was wondering WHY??? He's been around (at least popular) since 2005.
Agree 100%. Two words as proof? Taylor Swift. As a singer, she's a good songwriter.
DeleteYa know what's funny? If y'all substitute "Travis Tritt" & "Billy Ray Cyrus" for "Eric Church" & "Blake & Miranda" the story is a re-run! I'm sure there are plenty of folks reading this who remember THAT nonsense. All y'all younger folks, google it. All these years & a collaboration or two later, it's kind of a hoot. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know this guy but I like him! He's a hoot, I love that word.
DeletePop country is selling a lot of albums right now. I know a lot fans of traditional country that hate it. Personally I think the pop country is helping bring an influx of new fans. Fans that will tune into country stations and here songs by traditional country artists and they'll like some of the songs and buy them. So is it a bad thing?
I am glad Eric has you to defend him. I personally like Eric a lot. I saw him perform with Brad Paisley at the Borgata several years back-he was great. I believe all conversations, quotes, articles should be taken in entire context with some research into the why and what led up to the quote. When I look at stuff like this, I automatically think of Kurt Busch in November when he had the tirade with Dr. Punch-wrong-YES. However, if anyone would have taken time and reviewed the events over several prior months sequentially leading up to this like you did with Eric, it would have been at least understandable, even though that tirade was wrong. I continue to like Eric after reading this, and I also like CeLo and Blake. I just wish Kurt Busch would have had a defender-researcher in November-hint, hint-- So glad to hear big sponsor coming on board finally for Kurt-announcement Friday. He has certainly paid his dues this year. I wish Eric the best, and even though I may be annoyed for a while will cheer for Eric and Kurt.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what was said exactly but I saw little tidbits of it yesterday, and honestly I can't blame him one bit for not liking the Idol fast track because honestly its a crock of crap. Naming names is not the way to go about these kinds of things, but I will always like Eric Church no matter what he says to the media because it doesn't matter to me. His music is great and it stands on its own.
ReplyDeleteIgnorance. Not sure why this got on my nerves so bad but it did. What a shame to say something so inconsiderate and dumb. What difference does it make for someone to be found on a reality television show vs. going to a record label and begging or by chance running into the 'right person at the right time'? The bottom line is if you have talent - do what you have to do to get found. If you love music and you feel music you appreciate the music more than how it was brought to your ears. I want to be exposed to hearing great music because I appreciate it. Some people may not have the funds to be able to go to Nashville and play a demo for the label execs, and some people may not have the time and funds to travel around and put on a production for small bars, maybe someone's only chance to get discovered is driving to the closest city to audition for American Idol. Or The Voice. I think the JUDGES selected have pretty outstanding resume's and probably know something about music. What makes Cee-lo and Blake less of an artist by judging a singing competition? Or Carrie following her dreams and auditioning for American Idol? Or MIranda coming in 3rd on a show and later dominating country music charts and you OPENING for HER show? How are these people less of an artist? So sad because I love Eric Church's music... I can relate to his music because he is a Carolina boy and I am a Carolina girl and it's so refreshing to hear his music about how great the Carolina's are but what a shame someone has so much talent can have such a bad case of diarrhea of the mouth. Somethings are better left unsaid. I love how Carrie Underwood was found on American Idol and Blake moved to Nashville to follow his dreams and they BOTH have had amazing careers that are still ON FIRE and still have to work hard. And speaking of the "never would I ever's" and the "I'd rather starves" check out ya boy singin' his heart out in a competition.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/5f_1VUnIK8o
Cool.
I have ALWAYS understood Eric and the bands views about the 'quick to fame' shows. Eric and the band bust their butts to make it where they are today. Then shows come along who seem to make it a much more simple process for people to gain a fast track to success. You see the people who've spent years trying to get ahead still working their butts off and doing it the 'old fashioned' way.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do like the Voice and American Idol, I LOVE Eric. I have never forgotten all the hard work the performers like Kenny, Keith, Eric, Sara and so many like them have done to be where they are and I will continue to support them. They will always have my love and devotion and even more so because I've been with them since day 1, I've seen the struggles.
But I can understand the frustration. When you work your whole life to be where you are and you see someone being given a 'fast pass' so to speak it's tough to swallow.
I've had those discussions myself with someone very close to Eric so I understand how they feel. I see his side and I support his feelings.
Eric and the ECB are number 1 in my book and always will be!!!
People understand: Eric is an OUTLAW. Like Waylon,Hank,Kris,and Johnny before him.He WRITES and SINGS his own songs about his feelings and his life.Nashville has always been about politics and right now Blake is the IN guy since he cut off his hair and slicked it back and started wearing ties and vests and coaching the Voice.Ever wonder how he went from country journeyman to Male Vocalist of the Year a couple years in a row now? Its no coincidence.Eric is the voice of real,hard living,hard rocking country right now,something the establishment in Nashville have never truly had a place for.That's why people like Waylon and Hank were cast out.But just like Eric, those artists before him garnered cult-like followings who would follow them to whatever destination. Why? Because not only did they live that life, they wrote about it, they played and sang about it, their shows were electric, and they always spoke the truth no matter who it bothered. And that is why I loved them and why I love Chief. Reality talent shows are nothing but regurgitation karaoke of a song someone else has already made famous. Miranda is not an artist because she was on Nashville Star. Shes an artist because she can write,play, and sing. Something her husband or most of Nashville cant do .Thank you Chief for being who you are and speaking the truth.
ReplyDeleteIt's so refreshing to finally see positive, understanding comments towards Eric. He is one heck of an entertainer and I am honored to be among his biggest fans. I am glad that finally someone wrote an intelligent blog to shed light on this "feud" (I use that loosely because Eric apologized and named names when he did, even calling Miranda his friend.) And in case she forgot, Nashville Star did not immediately shoot her into fame. She, like many others, had to earn there keep in the biz. Blake did too. I think many artists are fed up and finally someone spoke up about it. I am glad to see that there are intelligent people that saw past the names, as did I. I look forward to seeing all of these artists continue to progress, but I also thank goodness that Eric is not as commercialized as other artists. "Keep on," Eric!
ReplyDelete