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JULY 2018 Volume 49 Number 7 Issue 581
News
Walt Trott in Nashville Duncan Warwick in London
McBride and the lawsuit
Editor Duncan Warwick
Contributors David Allan, Janet Aspley, Donnie Ayers, Craig Baguley, Larry Delaney, Don Cusic, Julie Flaskett, Kelly Gregory, Michael Hingston, Tony Ives, Spencer Leigh, John Lomax III,, Douglas McPherson, Stephen O’ Hanlon, Roland Purdy, Adrian Peel, Paul Riley, Wayne Smart, Chris Smith, Alison Stokes, Tom Travis, Walt Trott, Jack Watkins
Assistant editor / Special projects coordinator Kelly Gregory
Photographers Patricia Presley, Barry Dixon, Billie McAleer
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John and Martina McBride, who coown Blackbird Recording Studios in Nashville, have been hit with a million dollar lawsuit filed by Richard Hanson, their former operations manager. of five years. He has alleged the couple misused unpaid student interns over a five-year period, utilizing them to run personal errands, pickup supplies, spoke in abusive tones to students, and even sent students to their home to determine if a suspected intruder was there, after arming one with a gun. That in itself is a violation of the Tennessee Protective Act, he asserts.
The average age of interns studying the recording business at Blackbird is between 16-22. After his reminder concerning wrongful use of the interns went unheeded by the McBrides, Hanson filed an official complaint with the state labor board. An hour after learning of his report, he was dismissed from the 16-member staff.
Martina has issued this reply,“ Blackbird Studios cooperated with the Department of Labor and they found this claim was not supported by the facts. John and I have created a culture at Blackbird that is familial and supportive of everyone who walks through its doors.”
Hanson maintains his firing was retribution for notifying the state, also unlawful, and his suit seeks back pay and benefits, separation pay plus damages. Blackbird clients include Alabama, Taylor Swift and White Stripes.
Someone who cares
Add country legend Travis Tritt to the forthcoming Real Country line-up, already boasting Shania Twain and Jake Owen, being produced for the USA Network. Set to premier this fall, the talent show’ s stars will help showcase emerging artists, as they seek to become the genre’ s next breakout act. According to Tritt,“ I’ ve been influenced by so many amazing country music artists in my career, and the key to longevity is using these influences as inspiration to become something unique. I’ ve never been shy about how I feel about country music, so I can’ t wait to join‘ Real Country’ to share my experiences and thoughts.”
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