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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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