Jake Owen is not going to let the songwriting community take down a friend. The country’s puncher came to Chase Rice’s defense when writer Abe Stoklasa called Rice a “disaster” and told him to withdraw.
In comments to Rice’s statement on Instagram after a controversial concert in East Tennessee on Saturday (June 27), Stoklasa attacks Rice on a personal level. “It sounds like Sam Hunt (sic) took shit seven years ago and somehow grew up on his lips and learned protocols,” says the composer. “My whole industry hates you.”
An hour later, he apologized for saying that the entire industry hates Rice, but not before Owen intervened.
“Hi @abestoklasa … you are a talented and smart boy,” says Owen, “Why downgrade yourself to a post like this? He is a sad man. What you said is ridiculous. ‘Hate?’ … are you going to use a word like that, at a time like this? Chase is my friend. I’m part of this industry, and trust me it’s not just yours. I defend my friends. I always thought you were a great musician. , composer and voice. You’re better than this. That was direct ignorance. “
Stoklasa’s hits include “Fix” for Chris Lane and “Get to You” for Michael Ray. He has also written album cuts for Blake Shelton, Lady A, and Tim McGraw.
Owen also tweeted his disappointment that artists from the country music community are attacking each other. Kelsea Ballerini and Will Hoge are two others who have become angry after Rice and Chris Janson performed “normal” concerts over the weekend, during the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking to the Tennessean, Rice’s manager explains that they felt good about the venue’s health protocols before the show, and indicates that they will do a better job of communicating with fans and suggesting social distancing measures during the shows.
Janson’s record label also says the artist was told that health and safety measures would be taken, noting that two dozen artists were on the account of the three-day Idaho festival he led.
Rice and Owen were once part of Sony Music Nashville. Both singers originally come from Florida.
12 artists from the country who tested positive for coronavirus:
.
