Toby Keith Confronts Music Journalist Peter Cooper

If I were Toby Keith I would perpetuate the Kris Kristofferson story in the hopes that it supplants the Pat Green story.

We were at that show at the Cactus Cafe and saw Guy Clark again three days later at a songwriter award show. He tried to pull off the guitar solo himself in front of a packed house and when he flubbed it, he said “Aww shit, I knew I shouldn’t have tried that.” It was pretty funny.

I think I would have tried to hide somewhere if I had been in that press room. I was kind of frightened just reading about it. That must’ve been why Toby seemed angry during his performance. I was pulling for Cooper though, I’ll admit, since he sent us a nice email after we put his great album on our 2008 End-of-the-year list. I wonder who’s inflamatory picture Toby will splice Peter with at his shows? In the end, it seems wierd that this happened, since Cooper is a reputable music journalist. All I know is that Toby is most definitely a scary guy. Most artists wouldn’t so openly confront…well…maybe John Rich would…

Pierce,

I agree.

Yeah, I actually agree that it was bad journalism not to fact check, as that seems to be the case here. But since I’m unsure of what Toby will have happen to him (he seems rather retalatory), I can’t say that I’ll be able to agree that Cooper deserves what’s coming to him just yet. I’ll have to see what comes next, if something does.

Mr. Greenberg and I will both be scooting the Belmont buggy over to New American Voices tomorra. I anticipate an evening of delights.

“Also, good luck with Peter or The Tennessean ever getting an interview or favor from Toby Keith ever again. That’s the price you pay!”

Yeah, I’m doubting they’ll be on friendly terms after this. Then again, Toby isn’t as big as he once was, so I wonder if they need him as much as he needs them.

I sooo saw that coming, Brody.:)

Please, Toby doesn’t need the Tennessean (sp). He has done fine on his own and as long as his fans are with him (which they will be) he will be fine. Peter got what he deserved. I’m proud of Toby, maybe now so called journalists will check before opening their mouths.

I’ts probably safe to venture that neither really needs the other at this point, but I’m sure you’re right that he doesn’t really need them.

Pierce,
I don’t know anything about newspapers, but what kind of favors could/would Toby refuse to do for the Tennessean? Or, are you just talking about interviews?

The story was told by Ethan Hawke (not a reporter, but called on to report) at Rolling Stone, and Peter Cooper simply noted its existence. The beef should be primarily with the originator, because if the tale’s not true, that’s where it was generated and spread from.

Of course, all of the talk about this all over the Web today was generated not by the RS story or the description of it in the Nashville paper, but by the public response to those. That’s perhaps is its own sort of lesson–if NOT spreading a story said to be false is the intent.

I’m not saying that responding to correct a false story is wrong (especially if it’s really false); of course not. But it does have its own consequences when you’re a celebrity and do it loud and in front of the press.)

I wonder how those in the press room felt about it? I know every journalist will agree that Peter made a rather big mistake, but I also wonder how many can’t relate to it, somehow, in their years of experience. Will they back up one of their own or say Toby was right to call/cuss him out like that in front of everyone.

I still can’t help but wonder what Hawke was talking about, which is something that seems to be being ignored in this story at this point.

“Pierce,
I don’t know anything about newspapers, but what kind of favors could/would Toby refuse to do for the Tennessean? Or, are you just talking about interviews?”

Good question, Lee Ann. I’m mostly talking in terms of interviews, but he could pull some advertising as well. Either way, it’s not good for one of country’s biggest stars to be fuming mad at your publication.

It’s better to have folks like that on your side. I’m sure Peter has his “go-to” folks (whether they be artists, publicists, etc.) for when there is some sort of breaking news and he needs opinions.

It could also hurt his overall image, and other artists might see what happened with Toby and follow suit by ignoring Cooper.

Ya never know…either way, it’s not good.

I’m sorry, Idlewild–that’s backwards. The original story–and Toby has agreed with this publicly–made it very clear who was being referred to. And it’s a novel and fascinating theory that using non-reporters as reporters makes the originator publication ess responsible.

Peter Cooper described the published article. It’s true that in the best of all possible worlds, every re-teller would check everythtng it all over again. But come on; that’s not what happens, now more than ever–in this era of aggregating, , linking and forwarding on the Web. The story originator–hands off, because it’s a semi-amateur hired by professionals. Someone linking to the same story, for example, hands off. But a local newspaper describes the story with jokes about how obvious the identify of the person in the first story is and that outlet and reporter should take the guff? Please.

i just read kristofferson’s statement on the whole stupid mess and he doesn’t actually say it never happened. he just says he doesn’t RECALL it happening. is there a difference? yup. he also called the whole thing ‘nonsense’. which it is.

the story, whether embellished or not, has a certain ring of truth to it. could be a kernel, could be a bushel. maybe keith was joking, i don’t know. maybe kristofferson’s memory isn’t so hot. who knows?

keith is desperate to be mentioned in the same breath as kristofferson, hag, willie, cash. methinks he protest too much about this story, though. and the doo-rag on his head isn’t helping.

Now that the ACM “Entertainer of the Year” award is fan voted it is no longer comparable to previous years (as far as female artists are concerned anyway). The multitudes of Carrie Underwear fanbot faithful did their duty as if they were still voting on American Idol. I still have no idea though of how Taylor Swift’s “Fearless” won “Album of the Year”….

I totally disagree with Sarah Buxton about the quality of her initial recordings for Lyric Street versus her more recent compositions. Sarah’s debut album is one of the most unique and refreshing I’ve heard this decade from a major Nashville label while some of her newer stuff can be artsy-fartsy and self-indulgent. Sometimes having more label oversight of an artist can be a good thing as the artist may get “too creative” if left to their own devices.

When John Rich started railing against NBC recently I figured it was because they either didn’t renew Nashville Star, or didn’t want John involved any further if they had. Now we have our answer.

Definitely agree, Rick. Chesney was right last year in disagreeing with them doing that, even if he did win. It’s just stupid, and basically comes down to who can motivate their fan base to vote for them… not the way it should be.

How about a “compromise”? Let the Academy (or whoever) vote, and the viewers vote and “average” the votes (you know, like “Dancing With The Stars” does).

:-)

Everyone nominated was deserving but I thought this was Keith Urban’s rightful year. The EOTY award will never been the award it once was. Next Year it will be Taylor Swifts turn and she’ll win with all her league of country/pop fans..plus international fans now too. She also has already toured to Beatleque crowds so with that fan support, she’ll definitely get it next year. It may start a long time before a man ever gets that award again…unless they change it back.

I wonder if Toby Keith will show up to comment and set us all straight now …

Yes Steve, and interestingly enough, its a “White Horse”.

Wow, Rick, Jamey Johnson looks like a badass version of Jonathon Rhys-Myers in the Lord of the Rings movies…

And I’ve never found Kellie Picker particularly attractive, no matter how much (or little) rubber she wears…

Like i said Jim Malec cried a river after carrie win EOTY

I wonder who you all would be crapping on if there wasn’t a female nominated for EOTY, get with the times people women are equal, and Carrie had a better 08′ based on EOTY criteria than any of those men!!

FOUR horsemen. SEVEN seals… seven of just about everything else, for that matter.

And I’m a frickin’ atheist.

What is the Toby Keith and Pat Green story?

Mike: So the story goes Pat and Toby were sitting around on Willie’s bus. Toby asked Pat how he liked his music and Toby did not like the answer. Pat won the inseing fist fight.

Yeah, what Katie and Barry M. have said.

It will be interesting to see if Keith makes younger artists and friends also boycott Cooper. I could see him dangling the carat of an “opening slot” or record deal on Big Dog with the stipulation you dont talk to Cooper. It seems inane enough, but I could see it getting there, because if Keith feels that he’s been ostracized from the Willie crowd, he will seek vengeance on those who dont believe.

HAHAHHAHAHAHAH
Leeann writes: “Most artists wouldn’t so openly confront…well…maybe John Rich would…”

Then evidentally sweetheart you dont know much about country artists.