Organized Groups Planning A “March” On Music Row To Remove Blake Shelton From The Grand Ole Opry.
Blake Shelton ruffled some feathers recently when he made comments like nobody wants to listen to their grandpas music. It was a big to-do with plenty of fans, musicians and industry folks for a good week, and then Shelton made a few apologies and legends like Merle Haggard accepted them. Well…we only thought the fuss was over.
Several organized groups are still up-in-arms about the situation and have decided to take action. By action they mean having Shelton removed from the Grand Ole Opry.
Bob Everhart, President of the National Traditional Country Music Association since 1976, had this to say,
“We organized a large non-profit corporation 39 years ago to prevent the very thing Blake Shelton is espousing. Today we have joined forces with the Traditional Music Association of America; Classic Country; The Real Old Farts & Jackasses; American Music Group; and several other organizations who are very concerned about the insults Blake Shelton tosses around so nonchalantly.“
Maggie Penn, who heads up a country music association in Michigan, echoed Everhart’s concerns.
“We are going to march on Nashville. We are demanding that Blake Shelton be removed from the Grand Ole Opry. We are also demanding that huge radio conglomerates respond to our requests to feature more traditional and classic country music on these so-called country music radio stations. Clear Channel is one of the worst offenders. Mr. May, CEO, of Clear Channel needs to remember that the frequencies they broadcast on do not belong to them, they belong to us.“
The “march” is set for April 17th down Music Row in Nashville.
My question for you is, do you think all of this is necessary? We want to know what you think, so fire away in the comment section below!
30 Responses
That is absolutely ridiculous. Blake apologized…Ray Price accepted his apology and Merle Haggard tweeted his support just the other day. So he didn't word it as well as he could have…big deal we all say things sometimes that we later realize we could have worded better. Blake is a great artist and anyone that is a fan of him knows his sense of humor…he wasn't trying to disrespect anyone. This is taking things way to far…leave Blake alone and get over it already.
Posted on March 8th, 2013 at 6:30 pm
I'm dun listening to him…..too bad he has such a nice voice. I listen to my grandpas music! I prefer it over todays country!
Posted on March 8th, 2013 at 6:32 pm
Blake just needs to be careful what he says..and learn there are consequences for your actions AND your mouth!!
Posted on March 8th, 2013 at 6:47 pm
I know I have already left a comment but reading this just made me think and I just have a few more opinions here that I want to express. I don't care if anyone else agrees with me or not. I am sick and tired of people getting so butt hurt all the time. Every time someone says something that somebody else does not agree with they holler out how offended they are or they go and organize a protest or start a petition. They want that person banned or want to ruin their career. All because of what? That person said something they don't agree with. Well get over it already. If you don't like someone you can choose not to support that person and support who you do like but don't go and try to ruin someone over a difference in opinion.
Posted on March 8th, 2013 at 7:05 pm
I rather hear them old farts then him or his wife any day of the week.
Posted on March 8th, 2013 at 8:45 pm
Really Folks!! There are more important things in our nation to worry about. Like O the government suspending tuition assistance for those brave folks that protect our freedom. If you wanna do a march and rally, how about using your time for something more meaningful. Blake's statement was blown out of proportion and he has offered apologies. Move on Peeps. I love all country music. But there are really more important things happening to our nation right now other than what a country singer said or did.
Posted on March 8th, 2013 at 9:53 pm
I agree with Heather! I love Blake Shelton and his music. He could have been more sensitive, but people need to stop being so offended at everything all the time. If you don't like what they're saying, ok. You don't like what they're saying. I think the evolution of country music is merely a change in the times and people have to understand that it's still incredibly valuable music!
Posted on March 8th, 2013 at 9:53 pm
I totally agree with Heather Johnson, get on with show and leave what was said alone, he has appoligized, it would be totally different had he not give a darn and just ignored the whole thing, he regrets what he said and from knowing Blake didn't intend to hurt anyone so get with it.if they remove him from the Grand ole opry I lose total faith in the country music industry.
come on Blake fans get behind a great country entertainer and support the man, thanx.
Posted on March 8th, 2013 at 9:54 pm
I forgot to mention I am 72 yrs young grew up with all the old and great country stars as Jimmy rogers, Hank sr.hawk shaw Hawkins , elton brett and many more, enjoy all the old and new stars alike.
Posted on March 8th, 2013 at 10:03 pm
I cant believe people have nothing better to do. Blake did NOTHING wrong and please they are not going to remove him. Blake is extremely talented and has a sarcastic humor to him, people nees to just relax. I had the priveledge of meeting Blake in October and he was one of the most down to earth artists ive ever met, he truly cares about his fans. He is playing here in Houston at the rodeo next week and tickets are very hard to get…this is a stadium that holds close to 80,000 people so i wohld say he has nothing to worry about with his fans or his cateer.
Posted on March 9th, 2013 at 12:02 am
This is just ridiculous. We fans love Blake and we understand how he sometimes says things without wording them in the best way. That’s actually part of his charm. But he is a loyal country fan himself, and he did not mean any disrespect by what he said. His fans will never leave him, no-matter what. That is a fact.
Posted on March 8th, 2013 at 7:08 pm
Please stop making a big deal out of nothing !!! Blake is harmless and loves ALL Country Music…spread the love
Posted on March 8th, 2013 at 7:15 pm
Blake Shelton was just echoing what is a diriving trend in “country” music these days. If you’ve got a pretty face (regardless of your vocal qualities), and can get teenagers to purchase from Itunes based on your latest photo shoot — Hey you’re in there!
If Nashville had employed these practices years ago, we would never, ever had heard the likes of folks like George Jones, as he would most likely not have been “purdy” enough. So… My Grandpa’s music; the kind that didn’t rely on Pro Tools to “assist” where talent was lacking? – hey he/she still has that face to bring em’ in. I think talent “should” win out every time…. but hey, maybe I’m not photogenic enough to understand the difference. JMO
Posted on March 8th, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Talk about people with nothing better to do with their lives. And Maggie Penn stating that Clear Channel does not own those airwaves? I'm sure there's a contract showing billions of dollars exchanged that indicates that they actually DO own those airwaves! Even more ironic is that most of the old time country stars who were offended were actually making pop and rock versions of country music back in their own heydays and I'm sure not all of them showed complete perfect decorum all the time either. Word just didn't get around as fast back then.
Posted on March 9th, 2013 at 2:41 am
If you want to get technical, Clear Channel does not OWN the airwaves.
They are publicly owned airwaves. Radio and TV stations are granted licenses that have to be renewed on a regular basis. Beside that, I totally agree with you. 
Posted on March 9th, 2013 at 2:47 am
Ok, goes to show you what I know. Fun rant though.
Posted on March 9th, 2013 at 2:51 am
I read a post here on fb where he called a lady a BITCHA WHAT HELL WAS HE THINKING, MY OPION OF HIM IS NOW, NO MORE OF HIS MUSIC,,, EVER!
Posted on March 9th, 2013 at 3:22 am
OMG , PEOPLE GET A LIFE, THE STATE OUR COUNTRY IS IN, AND YOU PICK THIS TO GATHER AND MARCH! SHAME ON YOU ALL. EVERYONE KNEW WHO BLAAKE WAS WHEN GOT GOT INDUCTED, YOU LET A DRUNK IN SO MANY YRS AGO AND FORGET HE ABUSED HIS WIFE. HANK WILLIAMS SR. OMG HES A LEGEND, YOU'D NEVER TAKE HIM DOWN , BUT HE WAS RUDE AROGANT AND MEAN, EVEN ON THE STAGE, WHEN HE WAS NOT TO DRUNK TO PREFORM. THAT's ONLY ONE EX. I COULD GO ON. HEY I HAVE A LIFE AND FAMILY. WHY DOn't YOU ALL GET ONE. BLAKE HAS NEVER TRIED TO BE ANY DIFFERENT THEN HE IS, YOU ALL KNEW IT.DOn't MAKE ASSES OUUTA YOURSELVES BY DOING THIS.HEY WHY DOn't YOU GATHER AND PROTEST A WORTHY CAUSE, LIKE KEEP OUR TROOPS SAFE AND OUR TAXES NOT BE DRIVIEN SKY HIGH. HEY HOW ABOUT HELPING TO FIND A MISSING CHILD. YOU WANNA BE SEEN AND HEARD , DO SOMRTHING WORTHY. YOU ALL ARE BEING PETTY, I CAN LIST ATLEAST 5 THAT IS 20TIMES WORSE THEN BLAKES MOUTH , YOUR NOT TRYING TO PULL THEM OUT 2 ARE ALWAYS DRUNK, AND ADMIT TO USING DRUGS PUBLICLLY AT THEIR CONCERTS. I LIKEBLAKE, BUT HES NOT A FAVORITE OF MINE, BUT WHEN I SEE SOMETHING THIS HIDEOUS , I CANT HELP BUT RESPOND. GROW UP GET A LIFE IF YA ALL SHUT UP IT WILL BLOW OVER, AND IM QUITE SURE BLAKE WAS BEING BLAKE. SARCASTIC AS ALWAYS, FIND A REAL CAUSE PEOPLE AND RALLY FOR IT!
Posted on March 9th, 2013 at 1:13 pm
It's kind of sad that people get offended by anything these days. I understood what Blake meant when he said that and actually kind of agree. I do miss a good Jim Reeves song every once in a while, but I don't listen to those radio stations for a reason. I like the country music as it is today with a little bit of older choices thrown in. To quote a really good country song "People are crazy"!
Posted on March 9th, 2013 at 1:16 pm
seriously people? Shall we remove Troy Gentry for canned hunts as well? I think when our personal lives cross over into our careers folks are over stepping their limits, have none of you made a mistake you now regret? Let it go and move along to more important topics, fight as hard to get our military home, our elderly safe, our children educated…and keyboard warriors off the internet!
Posted on March 9th, 2013 at 1:28 pm
Well this just seems ridiculous. No comparison to Troy Gentry.
Posted on March 9th, 2013 at 1:37 pm
I dont agree with many things folks do, that being said, removing someone from what they've earned rightfully for a snide remark (that could have been more gently expressed) is over the top crazy..and your right Troy Gentry's escapades far worse…and I wouldn't condone removing them from the Opry either…
Posted on March 9th, 2013 at 1:40 pm
OMG, the world is falling apart around us and people are getting bent out of shape over a comment Blake made. If they offended artists accepted Blake's apology then it should be a done deal. So glad you "march organizers" are so perfect and never had a slip of the tongue. One bit of advice for ya'll GET A LIFE!
Posted on March 9th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Well heck no! Omg does anyone get Blake?? Really people he is just a good character full of life!
Posted on March 9th, 2013 at 5:28 pm
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Posted on March 9th, 2013 at 6:59 pm
Wrote a comment last night and it didn’t “stick” so here we go again. Blake is a great singer, did they forget he has Entertainer of the Year the last two years and Best Male Vocalist? Besides that he is just an all around good ole boy who likes interacting with his fans. I love all country music — traditional, in-between and new. It is all great music. Blake sometimes says things he shouldn’t but don’t a lot of people in the new age of social media? He wouldn’t hurt anyone on purpose and he apologized. GET OVER IT!!
Posted on March 9th, 2013 at 8:45 pm
Wrote a comment last night and it didn't "stick" so here we go again. Blake is a great singer, did they forget he has Entertainer of the Year the last two years and Best Male Vocalist? Besides that he is just an all around good ole boy who likes interacting with his fans. I love all country music — traditional, in-between and new. It is all great music. Blake sometimes says things he shouldn't but don't a lot of people in the new age of social media? He wouldn't hurt anyone on purpose and he apologized. GET OVER IT! Lots of artists have said and done worse, don't see anyone hatin' on them. Look at Randy Travis, and I like Randy too, but really? You're going to march on Blake? Find something worthwhile to march on to better the world, not because of something someone said that they apologized for.
Posted on March 10th, 2013 at 1:58 am
This is ridiculous! There are more important things to protest. Get a life.
Posted on March 10th, 2013 at 1:28 pm
I want to sign any petitions you have to remove Blake from Grand Ole Opry!
In my opinion I could not believe when I heard he was becoming a member!
Posted on March 11th, 2013 at 7:40 pm
I think everyone is entitled to their opinion and sometimes things that are said don’t always come out the waywe want them to. I do think Blake is a true country artist and he likes all the older singers. If we didn’t have new artist coming on board, where we the music be? Listening to the same ones over and over.
Posted on March 13th, 2013 at 11:43 am
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