Palace headliner blackballed on radio?
| Friday, Aug 06 2010 02:43 PM
Last Updated Friday, Aug 06 2010 02:43 PM
Buck Owens Birthday Bash
What: Darryl Worley, Buddy Alan Owens, Monty Byrom, The Buckaroos and Steve Davis and Stampede in concert
When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Buck Owens Crystal Palace, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd.
Admission: $71.50 to $101.50 plus fee, includes dinner. vallitix.com or call 322-5200.
Clearly, Darryl Worley has hit a nerve.
The singer-songwriter, who will headline entertainment for the Buck Owens birthday celebration at the Crystal Palace on Wednesday, is making waves with his newest single, "Keep the Change." The song, which was released in digital format on June 15, has proved to be polarizing, generating both acclaim and ire. The hook of the song, "Gonna keep our God, our freedom, a little money in the bank. Y'all can keep the change," has been criticized as a slam against President Obama, who had used the word "change" as a cornerstone of his campaign.
Worley said he isn't directing his criticism just at the president.
"It'a about all the ways and change that have happened from our government in the 30 or 40 years," he said.
Worley said the song first aired on WYCD-FM, Detroit's No. 1 station, during a promotional tour and the listener response was enormous. Several other stations added the song to their rotations. But then suddenly it disappeared from the airwaves, prompting Worley to surmise that stations are boycotting his song.
"We were getting generic responses," Worley said about calls his record label made to radio executives. "They said the song is an obvious stab at President Obama and that's all they would say."
Worley said he has been forced to promote the song outside of traditional radio. Last Monday, Worley mentioned the song on Fox News' "Great American Panel," hosted by Sean Hannity.
"Politics (is) dirty and corrupt and I don't want any part it," Worley said. "(The boycott) has forced me into the political arena."
"The truth is country music listeners are nuts over this song and they deserve to hear it," Worley said.
Worley is also aware of the impact a big hit could have on his career.
"This is a career-making song," Worley said. "It will sell records."
KUZZ program director Evan Bridwell said the station is playing "Keep the Change" without any negative comment. He also confirmed the song isn't getting a lot of airplay nationally. Citing the most recent data from Billboard's Hot Country chart, which tracks airplay, Bridwell said "Keep the Change" was at No. 50 last week and No. 49 this week.
"It's not tearing it up," Bridwell said. "Maybe (stations) are afraid of it."
"Darryl is an outspoken guy, not afraid to wear his beliefs on his sleeve, musically as well," Bridwell said. "Any time you put out what's going to be a reaction song, people are going to be afraid of it.
"People appreciate good, old-fashioned values, and I think the song addresses that," Bridwell said.
But Bridwell recognized that not every market might agree with a particular song's message.
"The name of the game is you don't want to polarize," Bridwell said. "Not every market is going to be like Bakersfield."
But apparently the song is resonating in at least one market that couldn't be more unlike Bakersfield. In Detroit, which leans heavily Democratic, station WYCD still includes the song in its rotation. Program director Tim Roberts said he was aware of the controversy surrounding the song but unaware of a boycott.
"I've not heard that until right now," Robert said.
Roberts said he doesn't doubt some stations have yanked it.
"I'm sure some stations aren't taking any chances," Roberts said. "I think it's a wimp factor. Have a little courage, people." Roberts said he's gotten "nothing but positive comments" from listeners.
"It's a reaction record," Roberts said. "People are listening to the lyrics and responding to it. People are tired of the pressure."
