Michelle Shocked meltdown

[Debbiefromtucson]

Preaching something is very different then just spewing out a random stupid remark

Some of the reports state that this seemed like a "planned event" not just a random remark....

[MrEdyoulis]

Despite the vile nature of her comments, I want to say publicly that I think there are serious mental health issues in her life.  She has been open about dealing with mental illness in the past and I think she either went off her meds or had a paranoid schizophrenic episode.  Sad sitch.

 Listening to: Vasen

[WheelHoss]

that is dispicable. i agree, absolutely cancel her. how can we be having a sunday gospel hour (repenting for our week's worth of sins with such a hateful woman like that on stage

[WheelHoss]

planned or not planned. if you meant it or not, who in their right mind would do that in san fransisco, youre asking for trouble. and then i guess  you never know if she does something that like again or worse

[landshark]

True nature of hate. It spreads, i just got hit with smites, thats hate. and so silly. This Forum is about exchange. Keep your hate, please do not set the seed for future banning of artist over a few silly words that carry no weight. Poetry is next, careful what you say there it might hit home to a few. Silly. I hope she is ok and you will never catch me banning together to oppose one small women on the planet. Melt down or not. You give the momentum to this movement of rejection. Not good.

[BluegrassBrian]

An update from all of us at Planet Bluegrass (which I'm posting to Facebook right now as well)...

We are carefully considering the status of Michelle Shocked at the upcoming 40th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

We certainly do not condone any of Michelle's reported statements from her 3/17 performance.  But given our 20-year relationship with Michelle (and our festival being 6 weeks later than her other US performances), we are taking a little extra time to confirm all the facts (beyond the 3rd party news stories) before making a final decision.

We appreciate everyone's thoughtful comments, emails, and phone calls regarding the situation.  We especially welcome comments from people who were personally in attendance at Michelle's 3/17 performance.

Best,
The folks on Planet Bluegrass

[Mandhoe]

Wow, I thought there was no negativity allowed on these boards, much less the stage.  I'm surprised anybody wanted this lady to play in the first place.  I went to one of her hour long $35 shows, and she spent 40 min of it preaching and talking about politics.  She used to be a decent poet, now she's just trying out for the Dixie Chicks at every show.  Ferg, do us a favor and replace this line-up mistake you made, along with Dispatch.  Thanks!

 Listening to: Anything but Michelle Shocked, Dispatch, and M&S

[WheelHoss]

^ i kinda (with all due respect) agree but theres no changing dispatch and mumford unless they have some crazy stage rant

 Listening to: john prine- whistle and fish

[cardiomonster]

An update from all of us at Planet Bluegrass (which I'm posting to Facebook right now as well)...

We are carefully considering the status of Michelle Shocked at the upcoming 40th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

We certainly do not condone any of Michelle's reported statements from her 3/17 performance.  But given our 20-year relationship with Michelle (and our festival being 6 weeks later than her other US performances), we are taking a little extra time to confirm all the facts (beyond the 3rd party news stories) before making a final decision.

We appreciate everyone's thoughtful comments, emails, and phone calls regarding the situation.  We especially welcome comments from people who were personally in attendance at Michelle's 3/17 performance.

Best,
The folks on Planet Bluegrass

Brian,

After much consideration and deep, festivarian specific contemplation, it is my humble request that if Planet Bluegrass does end up cancelling MS, that PB do its very best to right this unfortunate situation with another talented female artist... I hereby nominate SHAWN COLVIN!  Why she wasn't invited to the 40th is entirely beyond me.

Respectfully,
Matt

[iain]

Still no unconditional apology on her website or facebook page.

I have a hard time believing that she is a hateful person, but if (I assume) her current poorly-treated mental illness is causing her to spew such tripe from the stage, then maybe she should take a break from the stage.  Not permanently - just until she's a bit more of a sure bet.  I would not bring my kids to see her unless she made a public apology and explanation, and had at least a year-long clean track record.

[Bevin]

Very little room for debate from where I sit (at my computer wearing Sam Bush boxer shorts).

Where the heck did you find a pair of Sam Bush boxer shorts?  I want some!

[swander99]

@landshark - I appreciate and respect your optimism and positivity, but I do not share it. I do not believe it is a "band wagon" to stand up against such hatred, and I do not believe there should be room for or risk of outspoken hate at my Telluride.

 

I think it says a lot that Nick Forster, who produced her Telluride album and is (was) a friend, has cancelled her e-Town performance. Serious stuff going down. Sorry Miki, but I don't think this is the year for redemption for her.

 
Regardless of what she comes out with next, I can't think of her the same as I once did, and will not watch her version of a gospel set on the Shellman Memorial Stage. If she does have a disorder of sort, then I could watch her perform again one day, but not in this particular slot, or year. 
    

 Listening to: Looking forward to NightGrass list? M&S NG show again!

[Mandhoe]

Still no unconditional apology on her website or facebook page.

I have a hard time believing that she is a hateful person, but if (I assume) her current poorly-treated mental illness is causing her to spew such tripe from the stage, then maybe she should take a break from the stage.  Not permanently - just until she's a bit more of a sure bet.  I would not bring my kids to see her unless she made a public apology and explanation, and had at least a year-long clean track record.

Her "current poorly-treated mental illness" is that she's a "born again Christian".  Nothing worse then the preachy, pontificated rants that these people go on.  Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that people can find the "light" after seeking it in the "dark" for so many years.  However, they use their status as a platform to spew that only "black and white" truths exist, and their new "enlightened" status has them closer to the word of God.  When in reality, these people are just former junkies whose new addiction is religion.  Seems like Shocked has taken a sip of kool-aid.

[iain]

Her twitter feed, where she says two things of interest:

1. She's not against gay marriage.  (Wait, what?)

2. She's going to be interviewed by Nicole Sandler on Thursday morning, and she will explain everything.

https://twitter.com/MShocked/with_replies

[iain]

Her "current poorly-treated mental illness" is that she's a "born again Christian".  Nothing worse then the preachy, pontificated rants that these people go on.  Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that people can find the "light" after seeking it in the "dark" for so many years.  However, they use their status as a platform to spew that only "black and white" truths exist, and their new "enlightened" status has them closer to the word of God.  When in reality, these people are just former junkies whose new addiction is religion.  Seems like Shocked has taken a sip of kool-aid.

She's been born-again for ages.  This is something new, which is why many speculate that it's more of a mental health thing.