Connie Henderson
2010-05-06 03:49:53 UTC
http://stacyharris.com/musicrowreport.html
Copyright © 2010
Stacy's Music Row Report All rights reserved
CHELY WRIGHT did not choose to make the first public declaration of
her lesbianism on her own Website. As the announcement was timed to
coincide with the May 4, 2010 release of Wright's new album (produced
by RODNEY CROWELL) and autobiography, she didn't want to leave the
opportunity for maximum exposure (no pun intended) to chance.
(Crowell's memoir, btw, is slated for January, 2011 publication.)
My first awareness of Chely came when I received a letter from PORTER
WAGONER inviting me (his former publicist) to an event at which he
would be introducing his young protégé to the Music Row press corps.
There were a lot of ugly rumors coinciding with the invitation (and
now I guess we know why Chely put up with them, just as she later did
nothing to discourage gossip about a romantic relationship with
then-unmarried duet partner BRAD PAISLEY). Wagoner had a predilection
for bragging about all of his music industry conquests without regard
to his marital status at the time. Depending on which names Porter
dropped, the consensus of opinion was that Wagoner was being truthful
at times and at other times not, so tongues wagged about why Wagoner
would take such a public interest in a young woman who was not part of
his own TV and/or stage show. (The Wagonmaster's primary interest
was himself and his own music.)
The story was that Wright had a rich respect for, and appreciation of,
traditional country music. So, whatever Grand Ole Opry management
thought about Porter's giving Chely early entre to the Mother Church,
it went along with the hype.
Wagoner's imprimatur got Wright on the charts, but Chely gets the
credit for her subsequent, if limited, success as a solo and duet
artist.
It's a shame that the Wright media blitz of the next few weeks will be
based on something other than her music, since her music alone would
not be enough to interest those who will be making money off of her
coming out. Chely must surely realize that this reality cheapens her
artistry, but who could be more aware of the reality of today's
marketplace? After all, it was controversy that inspired The Bumper
of My SUV and gimmickry that propelled Single White Female to hit
status...
Copyright © 2010
Stacy's Music Row Report All rights reserved
Copyright © 2010
Stacy's Music Row Report All rights reserved
CHELY WRIGHT did not choose to make the first public declaration of
her lesbianism on her own Website. As the announcement was timed to
coincide with the May 4, 2010 release of Wright's new album (produced
by RODNEY CROWELL) and autobiography, she didn't want to leave the
opportunity for maximum exposure (no pun intended) to chance.
(Crowell's memoir, btw, is slated for January, 2011 publication.)
My first awareness of Chely came when I received a letter from PORTER
WAGONER inviting me (his former publicist) to an event at which he
would be introducing his young protégé to the Music Row press corps.
There were a lot of ugly rumors coinciding with the invitation (and
now I guess we know why Chely put up with them, just as she later did
nothing to discourage gossip about a romantic relationship with
then-unmarried duet partner BRAD PAISLEY). Wagoner had a predilection
for bragging about all of his music industry conquests without regard
to his marital status at the time. Depending on which names Porter
dropped, the consensus of opinion was that Wagoner was being truthful
at times and at other times not, so tongues wagged about why Wagoner
would take such a public interest in a young woman who was not part of
his own TV and/or stage show. (The Wagonmaster's primary interest
was himself and his own music.)
The story was that Wright had a rich respect for, and appreciation of,
traditional country music. So, whatever Grand Ole Opry management
thought about Porter's giving Chely early entre to the Mother Church,
it went along with the hype.
Wagoner's imprimatur got Wright on the charts, but Chely gets the
credit for her subsequent, if limited, success as a solo and duet
artist.
It's a shame that the Wright media blitz of the next few weeks will be
based on something other than her music, since her music alone would
not be enough to interest those who will be making money off of her
coming out. Chely must surely realize that this reality cheapens her
artistry, but who could be more aware of the reality of today's
marketplace? After all, it was controversy that inspired The Bumper
of My SUV and gimmickry that propelled Single White Female to hit
status...
Copyright © 2010
Stacy's Music Row Report All rights reserved