Re: Vic Chesnutt confusion
Hey Folks,
Needless to say, last night was a confusing and emotional night for everyone, including those of us at Blur who were closely following the story concerning a beloved local musician.
A whole lot of false information was thrown about last night, and we’d like to apologize profusely if our premature post concerning the death of Vic Chesnutt added to a senseless rumor mill. We posted the information based on what we believed to be reliable sources both in Athens and far beyond (including Billboard and Spinner). It’s fortunate that we were incorrect; when word spread shortly after that Vic was indeed still with us, our post was removed and we awaited more word deep into the night – word which thankfully never came. The situation was compounded by not only the digital age rumor mill, but also our staff and many of our sources being spread out for the holidays, sharing partial or bad information. The bottom line is that we were premature, and for that we apologize.
The most important thing today – the only thing that matters - is that Vic, according to his friends and those in the know in Athens, is reported to be alive. Let’s concentrate our efforts on his survival and recovery.
Vic, we’re all thinking of you today.
It wasn’t just other media sources – his PR agency was also confirming his death early this morning and then redacted it. Regardless, it is a sad situation that has been difficult for many.
Everyone should be appalled that the entire American entertainment news establishment based their breaking stories on erroneous blog posts, possibly beginning with my own. I am an artist with a part-time blog that does not pretend to be an accredited news source. It never gets read any other time but, because I trusted a source I thought to be in the know, and have automatic cross-posting to Facebook “Notes,” I caught all kinds of grief with old friends accusing me of somehow being anxious to report Vic’s passing. Never mind that one of my favorite women in rock, Kristen Hersh, was telling the whole world about suicide attempts and brain damage, that Billboard’s journalistic practices apparently don’t even match that of the Flagpole or that I withdrew my erroneous post immediately upon being corrected by people at the hospital.
I’m angry and sore about the whole thing. I didn’t put those pills down Vic’s throat and I really don’t appreciate his creating this situation in the first place. I never would have done that to him.
It isn’t just entertainment media, quite a lot of supposed “journalism” has been increasingly and rapidly moving in the direction of sensationalist spin doctoring and sound bite definitions of reality. I frankly find it rather disturbing when a media organ like AP, in the middle of what may have been the most important election in the history of this country, admits to basing their sources for articles on “Associated Press political bloggers” and the like. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t a blog generally someone’s opinions on a thing? I always understood that news was made of fact, not opinion and catchphrases. Seems some things did CHANGE.
check to see if he is breathing. hint hint… if he is breathing then he’s not dead…
How brave of you, “Anonymous.”
Thanks for the clarification. I work at a large daily newspaper and agree with Chuck about “supposed” journalism. It happens to the best and most reputable news sources, including old standbys like The New York Times.
Regardless, this is a very sad and tragic day in what has been a very devastating year for Athens music. It’s hard to grasp so much tragedy is such a short amount of time.
So so sad for all of you who knew Vic.
Bless his soul, bless his family, and his friends.
I knew him mostly from the last NPR interview, which was a window into his mind and soul.
This life is about forgiveness and redirection of energy.
How fragile and blessed this life is.
Perhaps the most intense new year’s beginning for many.
Hold on, this too shall pass. More will happen. It, too, will pass.
Learn. remember. learn. remember.
Be Grateful. for every breath. that will get you through.
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