.

Matchbox Twenty Causes Rift Between Rodeo and Rights Group

By 
April 17, 2008 10:40 AM ET

The organizers of Wyoming festival Cheyenne Frontier Days are suing an animal rights group named SHARK after the group pressured Matchbox Twenty to pull out of the performance at the festival. The organizers claim that SHARK (Showing Animals Respect and Kindness) used "false and misleading information" and "threats of negative publicity" in persuading Rob Thomas and crew to pull out of the festival. The band reportedly dropped out of Frontier Days after the band saw videos of alleged animal abuses from last year's rodeo/concert. Frontier Days organizers say Matchbox Twenty's defection cost them $100,000, and are also suing SHARK for persuading Carrie Underwood to abandon a 2006 Frontier Days performance under similar circumstances. "We ask that (fans) please understand that it would be impossible for us to put ourselves in the position of making money from what we believe to be the mistreatment of animals," Rob Thomas said in a statement.

Related Stories:

 

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

prev
The New Issue of Rolling Stone: Best of Rock 2008
Music Main Next
Kanye West, Rihanna, N.E.R.D and Fiasco Shine at Glow in the Dark Tour Opener

Picks From Around the Web


blog comments powered by Disqus
Daily Newsletter

Get the latest RS news in your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Rolling Stone newsletter and special offers from RS and its
marketing partners.

X

We may use your e-mail address to send you the newsletter and offers that may interest you, on behalf of Rolling Stone and its partners. For more information please read our Privacy Policy.

Most Popular

Photos & Videos

Go To Content

Random Notes: Hottest Rock Pictures

Go To Content Play Video

Video: Dave Grohl Sits in With the Rolling Stones

Go To Content

Gallery: 'Born Sinner' Series by J. Cole

Best Ever Lists
100 Greatest Beatles Songs

Other Lists

Song Stories

“(We're Not) The Jet Set”

George Jones and Tammy Wynette | 1973

George Jones and Tammy Wynette were still married when they recorded the tongue-in-cheek "(We're Not) The Jet Set." The lyrics, written by Nashville songwriter Bobby Braddock, who also penned Wynette's "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" and Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today," make fun of the good life by declaring, "We're not the Jet Set/We're the old Chevrolet set." Braddock recalled that while writing the song, he needed the name of a city that evened out the rhyme he had with "Riviera" and "Missourah." “I got out a Rand McNally atlas," he said. "In the first part are the maps. The last part is an alphabetical listing of cities. I wanted a rustic, small-time sound. I went to the listing for Missouri. And I found 'Festus.' I loved the sound of it."

More Song Stories entries »