http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2008/04/09/local_news_updates/20local_04-09-08.txt
Matchbox Twenty cancels CFD show
By Baylie Davis
bdavis@wyomingnews.com
CHEYENNE -- Apparently citing animal cruelty concerns, Matchbox Twenty will not perform at Cheyenne Frontier Days on July 18 as previously announced.
Official comment from Bob Romeo from Romeo Entertainment Group -- the promoting agency for the concert -- was that his agency received “written notification” that the band will not perform.
According to a news release from SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness, or SHARK, the band decided not to perform after viewing video of alleged animal abuses that the organization recorded at CFD last year.
Janet Enoch from SHARK said the organization sent e-mails to lead singer Rob Thomas through his foundation’s Web site, the Sidewalk Angel Foundation.
They received e-mails back saying that the band had decided not to perform because of what it saw in the videos, but Enoch couldn’t provide the name of the person with whom she corresponded.
“(Romeo Entertainment Group) is working with the CFD staff to assess all alternatives, including potential legal action,” according to Romeo.
No further comment about the “potential legal action” was available Tuesday.
“As long as CFD is going to include egregious animal abuse, it will have to find entertainers who simply don’t give a damn about compassion,” SHARK President Steve Hindi said in the news release.
But according to a statement on the CFD Web site home page, “Cheyenne Frontier Days advocates animal care that recognizes the well-being of animals, including those used and cared for by humans. We believe the right to own and use animals carries an obligation to provide proper care for all animals included in our celebration.
“While care, custody and control of all animals at Cheyenne Frontier Days lies with the owner, Cheyenne Frontier Days does not tolerate, condone or permit actions that abuse animals,” the statement continues. “We recognize that animals, as well as humans, may be injured in these events. Any injured animal is accorded immediate veterinary medical attention and is isolated from further harm. Every attempt is made to make injured animals comfortable and offer them opportunity to recover. Injured animals are not used again. In the event there is an animal welfare issue, concerned individuals should immediately contact Cheyenne Frontier Days headquarters.”
CFD Contract Acts Committee chairman Joe Lopez, speaking on behalf of his committee and the CFD General Committee, said Tuesday evening they regret that Matchbox Twenty has pulled out and they are disappointed, but they are moving forward to fill that first Friday night concert slot.
The committee still has the last Saturday night, July 26, to fill as well.
As of Tuesday evening, the Cheyenne Frontier Days Web site, www.cfdrodeo.com, had removed Matchbox Twenty as the opening night act from the home page, but the concert was still listed on the tickets section of the site.
Lopez said people who have bought tickets for the Matchbox Twenty show can call the CFD box office at 778-7222 or 800-227-6336 to obtain refunds.
I want to see their "evidence". Some of the activist groups think that putting a dog in a fenced yard is abuse....so I don't trust them.
Matchbox Twenty cancels CFD show
By Baylie Davis
bdavis@wyomingnews.com
CHEYENNE -- Apparently citing animal cruelty concerns, Matchbox Twenty will not perform at Cheyenne Frontier Days on July 18 as previously announced.
Official comment from Bob Romeo from Romeo Entertainment Group -- the promoting agency for the concert -- was that his agency received “written notification” that the band will not perform.
According to a news release from SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness, or SHARK, the band decided not to perform after viewing video of alleged animal abuses that the organization recorded at CFD last year.
Janet Enoch from SHARK said the organization sent e-mails to lead singer Rob Thomas through his foundation’s Web site, the Sidewalk Angel Foundation.
They received e-mails back saying that the band had decided not to perform because of what it saw in the videos, but Enoch couldn’t provide the name of the person with whom she corresponded.
“(Romeo Entertainment Group) is working with the CFD staff to assess all alternatives, including potential legal action,” according to Romeo.
No further comment about the “potential legal action” was available Tuesday.
“As long as CFD is going to include egregious animal abuse, it will have to find entertainers who simply don’t give a damn about compassion,” SHARK President Steve Hindi said in the news release.
But according to a statement on the CFD Web site home page, “Cheyenne Frontier Days advocates animal care that recognizes the well-being of animals, including those used and cared for by humans. We believe the right to own and use animals carries an obligation to provide proper care for all animals included in our celebration.
“While care, custody and control of all animals at Cheyenne Frontier Days lies with the owner, Cheyenne Frontier Days does not tolerate, condone or permit actions that abuse animals,” the statement continues. “We recognize that animals, as well as humans, may be injured in these events. Any injured animal is accorded immediate veterinary medical attention and is isolated from further harm. Every attempt is made to make injured animals comfortable and offer them opportunity to recover. Injured animals are not used again. In the event there is an animal welfare issue, concerned individuals should immediately contact Cheyenne Frontier Days headquarters.”
CFD Contract Acts Committee chairman Joe Lopez, speaking on behalf of his committee and the CFD General Committee, said Tuesday evening they regret that Matchbox Twenty has pulled out and they are disappointed, but they are moving forward to fill that first Friday night concert slot.
The committee still has the last Saturday night, July 26, to fill as well.
As of Tuesday evening, the Cheyenne Frontier Days Web site, www.cfdrodeo.com, had removed Matchbox Twenty as the opening night act from the home page, but the concert was still listed on the tickets section of the site.
Lopez said people who have bought tickets for the Matchbox Twenty show can call the CFD box office at 778-7222 or 800-227-6336 to obtain refunds.
I want to see their "evidence". Some of the activist groups think that putting a dog in a fenced yard is abuse....so I don't trust them.
