I normally don't dignify any negative comments that anyone makes about me on this page or elsewhere with any kind of a response. However, I'm going to make an exception to that rule in response to the rumors, lies and innuendoes I've recently seen posted here and printed in other media regarding the late start to the solo acoustic concert I did in Crockett, TX on January 26th. This is not an apology, mind you! I've found that apologizing for things that are not my fault tends to make some people think that I must be guilty of something. Otherwise, why would I be apologizing?
This is simply an explanation of the factual circumstances that caused me to delay the start of my performance that evening. I will not be commenting on this show ever again at any time in the future.
These few acoustic shows that I'm currently in the process of doing are some of the first shows that I have done since coming off the road in December of 2012. On January 23, at the show we did in Reno, I discovered that my former guitar tech had left my guitars in very bad shape and in need of repair. Since my new guitar tech was not aware of how I like my guitars set up, I took it upon myself to do some of the repairs myself and set those guitars up the way I need for them to be in order for them to play in tune and sound their best. As soon as we arrived in Crockett, I made arrangements to have both of these guitars delivered to me so I could work on them and try to get them back into prime playing condition.
Needless to say, this is a very time consuming process which pushed me right up to the time for the doors to open to the audience at the Crockett Civic Center that evening. The promoters of the show graciously delayed opening the house doors to the audience, so I could come in and run through a quick sound check. Because the promoters saw that I was running behind, they also permitted me to push back the start of my scheduled pre show meet & greet. I greatly appreciated their understanding and willingness to accommodate me and my crew that evening. That is the factual and truthful explanation. Because I know the truth, I was amazed at the stories that circulated based on utter nonsense.
Some have claimed that I delayed the show because I was having a "diva moment." There was another rumor that said I had delayed the show because someone had violated a clause in my contract that didn't allow people to look me in the eye. This is the most ridiculous bunch of tripe I have ever heard in my life! The fact is that I wished the delay had not been necessary, but I did what I did strictly as an attempt to give the best performance I possibly could. I feel that I did deliver a top notch performance and given the same set of circumstances, I would do the exact same thing again to preserve the integrity of my show.
To anyone who got tired of waiting and left before I came onstage, I can't say that I blame you for leaving. I might have done the same thing if I was in your shoes. I do think you missed out on seeing a really good performance where I put everything I had into giving the audience a great show. Perhaps you will read my explanation and give me another opportunity to entertain you in the future. However, if you choose not to, then I totally understand.
One of the triggers that prompted me to make this statement was seeing an article titled "Travis Tritt: Worth The Wait?" that was written by Penny Lynn Webb who is the Managing Reporter for the County Life Daily News. As I understand it, a journalist's job is to report the factual who, what, when, where and why behind any story.
As a result, I'm confused by some of the things that Ms. Webb reported as facts in her article. To her credit, she did state that Piney Woods Fine Arts Association personnel had reported that I was late starting my performance due to the fact that my sound check had run late and thrown my schedule off. However, the factual reporting seemed to end right there as she went on to report that I was having a "diva" moment before the show, as her explanation of the real reason that I was late going onstage. She further went on to report that this "diva" moment was brought on by the fact that someone had "looked me in the eye" by mistake backstage and that I had a specific clause in my contract that forbid this sort of eye contact. She did not name her source for where this information came from other than to say that it was brought up in "talk among the backstage personnel." She also reported that PWFAA personnel and what she referred to as "artist handlers" ???? were "up in arms as to what to do to get Mr. Tritt off his bus and onto the stage" during the 1 hour delay. With the exception of the official quote that she reported as given from PWFAA personnel, all these other statements that Ms. Webb chose to "report" as factual and give credibility to, were all nothing more than rumors, innuendos and flat out lies! Why on earth anyone who is a serious journalist would feel a need to report such trumped up garbage under the guise of "reporting" is baffling to me.
First of all, on the very rare occasion I may start a show late, the reasons why can always best be found at the source. Ms. Webb never attempted to ask or even approach me or any of my crew for a statement or an explanation of why the show was delayed. Had she done so, either I or my Tour/Production Manager would have gladly told her about the set of circumstances that I was dealing with that brought about the delay. Yet, ironically, Ms. Webb commented on how unprofessional she thought my behavior was that evening.
To be fully forthright, I have to say that Ms. Webb did admit in her article that once I hit the stage, I did put on a great show. Even so, her criticism of certain parts of my show seemed unfounded. Perhaps she simply had a poor opinion of me in general, based on what she deemed as my "rude and unprofessional" behavior that evening. Nevertheless, her negative remarks about the portion of the show where I pay tribute to my late father and a couple of deceased entertainers who were "father figures" and musical icons to me, is evidence of the fact that Ms. Webb doesn't seem to understand what these rare, solo acoustic performances are really all about. The fact that these few shows are done in an intimate setting and without my band, gives me an opportunity to personally share with the audience, a little bit of never before publicized information about my background, my history and the source of my music. This portion of the show usually generates the loudest applause, as it did that night in Crocket, and prompts countless numbers of positive comments from fans. (See fan comments on my Facebook page).
When I paid heartfelt and respectful homage to Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings out of love and appreciation for all they did for me, Ms. Webb accused me of "name dropping", as if I were doing this for some sort of personal gain. It is sad to know that some people truly believe that there has to be something sinister behind anything that is done by anyone who is an entertainer and is labeled as "a celebrity" by the media. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I'm as down to earth as anyone and the least "celebrity acting" individual they know. I've remained close to my roots, just like my Mom and Dad taught me.
The fact is that liars are going to lie and haters are going to hate. There isn't anything I can do to curtail or control either one. However, what I can control is the integrity of my performances. When it comes to that, I'll err on the side of caution every time in an effort to maintain that integrity for the people who lay their hard earned money out for my show, asking only to be entertained in return. I'll always do everything in my power to give you your money's worth!
To all the ones who have given me support and encouragement over the past 30 years, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! Because of you, I can endure and overcome!
Sincerely,
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Travis Tritt
― del griffith, Sunday, 5 May 2013 06:21 (twelve years ago)
ILX Moderators,
Good evening. I normally don't make such requests, but I would humbly ask that this thread title be changed from "Travis Tritt sets the record straight once and for all about the incident that occurred at his Reno, Nevada performance on January 23rd, 2013." to the more accurate "Travis Tritt sets the record straight once and for all about the incident that occurred at his Crockett, Texas performance on January 26th, 2013."
Due to my failure to thoroughly read and comprehend the original Facebook post of Mr. Tritt's before sharing it with you all in my thread here, I accidentally included inaccurate information within the thread title. While the Reno incident involving Mr. Tritt's guitars was a contributing factor to Mr. Tritt's Crockett performance incident, it is the Crockett performance incident that is more directly the subject of his post, and, thereby, this thread. Because of this mistake, I feel that I did not deliver a top notch performance, and your edit will help preserve the integrity of my post.
Perhaps you will read my explanation and give me another opportunity to entertain you in the future. However, if you choose not to, then I totally understand.
To all my fellow ILX posters who have given me support and encouragement over the past 11 years, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Because of you, I can endure and overcome!
Sincerely,
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/301576_246007142089286_8047513_n.jpg
del griffith
― del griffith, Sunday, 5 May 2013 07:05 (twelve years ago)
two years pass...