Editorial: A Night Out and a Lesson in Respect
Salute to Summer 2024
When I founded Country Entertainment News, I promised myself to keep things positive, avoiding the negative. But sometimes, despite the best intentions, situations arise that need to be addressed. Maybe we can chalk it up to Mercury in retrograde.
After years in the music industry, I’ve worn many hats and still do—studio work, live performances, event promotion, and even a stint as a radio sidekick. My experience in the sporting media has been just as broad, from owning media outlets to moonlighting as a Getty Images photographer in NASCAR. I’ve attended countless major sporting event banquets, music award ceremonies, and radio conferences. It’s all part of the job—nothing glamorous, just business as usual.
I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a concert snob. I grew up sitting in the front-of-house or on stage. For some, that might seem like a big deal, but for me, it’s just part of the journey. I’ve been backstage with legends like Aerosmith, Mötley Crüe, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Pantera, Weezer, Goo Goo Dolls, and Marilyn Manson, among others. I’ve sat on stage at Rush shows next to Neil Peart’s kit. I’ve recorded with talents like Darrell (Dimebag) Abbott and members of Marilyn Manson’s band. I have had access to every NASCAR driver from 2002-2013. These experiences are great stories, no doubt—but to me, they’re just stories. I am no better than the next person. It’s just the world I grew up in and my chosen professions.
Sometimes, I love the spontaneity of hitting the road for a show after a long, hard-fought week—just to be a face in the crowd, enjoy live music, and meet people from all walks of life. You get the real vibe of what is happening in the music world and it’s a totally different experience as an average concertgoer. I’ve made so many lifelong friends just by meeting people in a crowd.
However, the truth be told, I hate crowds. For an avid concertgoer, this is an issue. As a woman in the crowd, I don’t enjoy being touched or groped—who does? Oh boy, does it happen. Better yet, having my feet stomped by some drunk bozo. I’ve actually had my foot broken at a show in 2020 by someone doing just that. My solution to these issues has always been simple: find a spot off to the side, away from the crowd if possible. Usually, I opt for stage right. It’s just a habit that started, I’m sure, watching Johnny Solinger play a billion shows in Dallas years ago. When I attend a concert, I’m not there to sit, nor stand, in the back, especially after driving hundreds of miles and spending countless hours to get there. NEVER.
Now, about Saturday night—there’s a protocol for media (at least in the real professional circles I work in). Contact the event’s PR team. If they’re unavailable or nonexistent, make yourself known at the venue. I did just that, presented my card, and mentioned that I had a professional camera and might snap a few shots if it was okay. A lot of venues will not allow cameras. If there was an issue, it was their job to let me know when I entered. There wasn’t an issue and that was never the issue; I was told I could go anywhere a regular concertgoer could. But as it turned out, that was really nowhere. I wish I had known before I made the drive. I wasn’t there to cover it, really. I was there to enjoy myself, and if the mood struck, I’d write about it—that’s the joy of owning your own media outlet. Well, the mood struck after some real confusion and drama caused by three ladies working the event.
The entire front of the stage and about 40 feet on each side of the stage were barricaded. Then there was VIP seating another 30 feet back from the stage, accessible to some, but no one at the event could explain who those “some” were. I asked to buy a seat and was told the seats weren’t even sold. I am sure someone will gladly send me actual dimensions of their layout, but here is a photo taken from my second location.
I guess the ridiculousness of the seating is what spurred me to take this photo.
Let’s talk about the seating situation at this so-called “free” concert. Why host a concert for the town, promote it as a free event, and then turn around and block access to the show for nearly everyone?
It’s baffling and frustrating. The idea of a free concert should be to bring the community together, to let everyone enjoy live music without barriers. Yet, when you restrict access with barricades and reserved sections, it defeats the whole purpose. What’s the point of inviting the town if you’re going to limit their ability to actually enjoy the event?
If you’re going to promote a free concert, make it accessible. Otherwise, it’s just a bait-and-switch that leaves the audience feeling disappointed and excluded.
Speaking of accessibility (ADA)…where was that? And restrooms? Security seemed to consist of a couple of police officers, one on each side of the stage.
The organizer, Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation publicized on their website, “The 2024 festival will continue the great Summer Salute tradition of family fun and attract attendance from over 100 miles away.” Yes, that was us. We were highly disappointed.
On to the staffing and the three ladies. If you’re working a one-night event and have just gotten your first ever backstage pass, don’t let your ego get the best of you. Unfortunately, I’ve seen this a million times—from NASCAR to concerts—this one-night rodeo ego. For those running events in the future, remember—no one cares if someone is wearing a pass. What matters is treating everyone with respect. You owe that to everyone who enters the venue. You are no better than anyone else.
If your event isn’t ready for people to enter, that’s on you. If you haven’t placed barricades far enough out to block off more access on one side, that is your issue. Don’t start screaming at someone who is following the rules and is in an area designated as “okay” for everyone. Thanks, I asked. Then it was an issue. This isn’t my first rodeo, as I have explained my background above. Ladies on stage left (since you probably don’t know, that is actually the right side if you were looking at the stage), this incident happened almost at the end of the opening act, and now, we’re dealing with the reaction to it—Newton’s Third Law in action: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Attitudes are everything. If you think that someone will take yours, you might be surprised. Again, you owe everyone respect who walks into a venue. EVERYONE. That includes the people picking up garbage and cleaning toilets, if you had them. Do not scream at someone because you or someone else hasn’t done their job.
Let’s end on a positive note.
I’d like to thank the band’s tour manager for reaching out to me. Unfortunately, it was like baptizing a cat at that point. I’ve been going to their shows for many years, and they weren’t responsible for what happened—just caught in the crossfire. There shouldn’t have been an apology from them, but their olive branch means a lot. Once we got to the opposite side of the stage, we had all kinds of new staff—less egos. They put on a heck of a show as always. And guess what! As I predicted, the barricades came down. I guess we know the band well enough to predict that.
But as promised, this story is out, and sadly, this is the story you get from this event. The focus should have been on what a charming town it was and how much I enjoyed meeting the salt-of-the-earth people at the concert. Their joy was infectious, and I had a great time watching them dance and sing. The musical acts were top-notch; at least Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation got that right.
I go to shows to forget the stresses of the week. Event staff shouldn’t ruin that for people, and neither should a creepy guy who thinks it’s okay to grope the woman in front of him. Remember Newton’s Third Law—you never know when you’re gonna grab an old rock-n-roll chick.
Shout out to The Mixer—a great restaurant I visited before the show. And to Jus’ Burger food truck for serving up the best smashburger I’ve ever had.
Again, for those that hung out in almost Clarksville at the barricades with me for most of the show and then down front, it was a pleasure to meet you guys! Enjoy your guitar picks! Hope to see you at another show in Kentucky, just not Salute to Summer in Hopkinsville!
Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation, you have a lot to work on, starting with the seating.
The Mixer – https://www.themixerky.com
Jus’ Burger – https://www.facebook.com/JusBurger413
