Industry Puts Wallen On Pause

In addition to mandated stoppages detailed below, the Academy of Country Music has halted Wallen’s eligibility and potential involvement in the 56th ACM Awards cycle. The show is scheduled for April 18 in Nashville. A just-released statement reads in part, “The Academy does not condone or support intolerance or behavior that doesn’t align with our commitment and dedication to diversity and inclusion. In the coming weeks, the Academy will expedite the offering of long-planned diversity training resources for our ACM membership, board, staff and the … artist community.” Read the full statement here.

Shortly after the video broke last night, Cumulus ordered a cease in airplay via internal memo from EVP/Content & Audience Brian Philips and SVP/Programing Operations John Dimick that says, “Unfortunately, country music star Morgan Wallen was captured on video Sunday evening using a racial slur. Effective immediately, we request that all Morgan Wallen music be removed from our playlists, without exception. More to follow.”

iHeartMedia’s Corporate PR team issued the following statement: “In light of Morgan Wallen’s recent actions involving the use of a racial slur, we have made the decision to remove his music and content from our stations effective immediately.” Premiere syndicated morning host Bobby Bones spoke more openly and directly to his audience this morning, saying in part, “I don’t even think this word. This word doesn’t even come into my head, and when someone uses it, it is so disgusting to my insides that I don’t quite understand … There is no room for that word, [and] there is no room for a limited view on any race or sex … I like Morgan Wallen as a person; this I don’t like one bit … I am an advocate of Morgan going away for a while. But, I’m also an advocate for him learning and coming back and being able to help others.” See his full segment here.

An Entercom spokesperson tells Country Aircheck, “In light of Morgan Wallen’s recent use of a racial slur, we’ve discussed the incident with our Country brand leadership team and together have made the decision to remove Morgan’s music from Entercom’s playlists.” Similarly, Beasley Chief Content Officer Justin Chase offers, “We were deeply saddened and disappointed to hear of the recent comments made by Morgan Wallen. Beasley is a company that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. We have pulled his music from our seven Country stations’ playlists.”

CMT is also pulling Wallen’s music, saying via Instagram, “After learning of Morgan Wallen’s racial slur late last night, we are in the process of removing his appearances from all our platforms. We do not tolerate or condone words and actions that are in direct opposition to our core values that celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion.” The Country Music Association (CMA) issued a tweet saying, “In light of Morgan Wallen’s recent use of a racial slur, CMA is removing his digital content from our platforms. We support our country music partners for taking swift action. We will confer further with our board of directors to review additional measures and will examine our industry’s inclusivity efforts.”

Big Loud Records has indefinitely suspended its recording contract with Wallen, issuing a statement that reads: “In the wake of recent events, Big Loud Records has made the decision to suspend Morgan Wallen’s recording contract indefinitely. Republic Records fully supports Big Loud’s decision and agrees such behavior will not be tolerated.”

To date, the only statement directly from Wallen was issued to TMZ saying, “I’m embarrassed and sorry. I used an unacceptable and inappropriate racial slur that I wish I could take back. There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever. I want to sincerely apologize for using the word. I promise to do better.”

Courtesy of  Country Aircheck