Posted on 12/22/2016 1:32:50 PM PST by drewh
“If anyone does do it, I hope that the check that they get is in the nine figures. Because it’s probably the last check they’re ever going to get,” Simon Renshaw tells TheWrap
The Dixie Chicks’ manager says the title of one of their songs sums up why Donald Trump’s inauguration team can’t book A-list talent: Hollywood isn’t ready to make nice with the president-elect.
Trump’s inaugural committee is still struggling to lock in A-list talent for his big festivities, according to Hollywood insiders, and even offering ambassadorships to anyone who can wrangle top singers.
“If anyone does do it, I hope that the check that they get is in the nine figures. Because it’s probably the last check they’re ever going to get,” Dixie Chicks manager Simon Renshaw told TheWrap.
Eric McCormack Would Perform at Trump's Inauguration in Exchange for 'a Lobotomy'
Renshaw said the Dixie Chicks’ “Not Ready to Make Nice” should be the anthem of anyone asked to perform.
“In my mind that’s the theme song to the Donald Trump presidency,” Renshaw said. “If anyone wants to know what we’re singing, that’s it. It’s what we should all be singing.”
He said he knows of no top artist who would be willing to take the gig.
“No one is prepared to normalize what is going on in the country right now,” said Renshaw, whose clients include “American Idol” alum Haley Reinhart and who has represented Clay Aiken and Paulina Rubio in the past.
Also Read: Insiders: Trump Team Dangled Ambassadorships to Lure A-List Inauguration Singers (Exclusive)
In a statement to TheWrap, Trump’s team denied offering any ambassadorships and said top-tier acts are “eager” to perform.
“There is no truth to this insinuation,” said committee spokesman Boris Epshteyn. “First-class entertainers are eager to participate in the inaugural events. The inauguration as a whole will be an exciting and uniting celebration of freedom and democracy. We will be releasing further details at the appropriate time.”
Despite his obvious desire for Hollywood approval, Trump may only now be realizing how unpopular he is with many in the entertainment industry, Renshaw said.
“People are just shaking their heads in incredulity,” Renshaw said. “It’s mind-blowing.”
The Dixie Chicks famously drew attention and criticism near the start of the U.S. invasion of Iraq when singer Natalie Maines said in 2003: “Just so you know, we’re on the good side with y’all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.”
“Not Ready to Make Nice,” relased June 2006 in response to the backlash, is the band’s biggest hit to date.
Also Read: Trump Team Scrambles for A-List Inaugural Performers: 'They Are Willing to Pay Anything' (Exclusive)
Thus far, the only artist publicly set to perform at Trump’s inauguration in January is 16-year-old former “America’s Got Talent” runner-up Jackie Evancho. The list of artists who have publicly refused to perform include Garth Brooks, Idina Menzel, The Chainsmokers and Elton John.
When Kanye West met with Trump this week, John Legend, who has collaborated with the rapper, said he was “pretty disappointed with Kanye that he says he would have voted for Trump.”
That’s the kind of peer pressure other artists can also expect, said Renshaw.
“Sort of, ‘What on earth were you thinking,’ is the common perception,” he said.
Also Read: Ice-T Says Trump's Team Called Him to 'Perform at the Inauguration'
He cited two artists of the caliber the Trump team is seeking, saying they would never kowtow to him like his fellow Republicans are.
“Someone like Katy Perry or a Justin Timberlake actually has a morality and it would never allow them to behave in the way that politicians are behaving around the office of the president-elect right now,” Renshaw said.
But he insisted the situation isn’t as dire as it appears, noting there is still one place where Trump could easily find all kinds of “eager” talent.
“His team’s got it all wrong. I think what they should be after for the inauguration is the Moscow State Circus,” Renshaw said.
Dixie Chicks Manager: Trump Inauguration Can't Book Performers Because Hollywood's 'Not Ready to Make Nice'
Performers including Garth Brooks, Celine Dion and The Chainsmokers have made other plans for January 20
Donald Trump is so unpopular with Hollywood that two talent wranglers told TheWrap they were offered ambassadorships in exchange for booking top singers. Here are some artists who said they wouldn't perform for the world.
He should bring in new talent and make them famous.
I have three word’s for hollywierd singer types and they are not GOD BLESS YOU...
I hate to break it to Mr. Dixie Chicks Manager, but if an artist makes money and draws and audience, he/she/they will get work and be booked. You would think a manager would understand the economics of his business.
WHO?
Post of the day. There are plenty of talented people who would love, and deserve, an audience of millions.
Hell, I didn’t even know they were still together...
Bake the d**n cake!
“He should bring in new talent and make them famous.”
Great idea and it would work! I think I heard a DixChc album a few months ago and thought “Maybe, I should end my boycott and get one..” NEVER MIND!
The Dixie Chicks are still a thing?
I thought these chicks retired to run an abortion clinic. Nobody listens to them any more
Somehow I don't think that is one of Trump's desires. Without a doubt there are those entertainers who would jump at the chance for the exposure that an inauguration performance would provide.
Is this about diverticulitis?
Hey crapweasel, if you think Trump rallies were big, wait and see the size of the audiences who attend Trump supporting musicians.
Is the first “Go” and the last “Yourselves”?
Just wondered if you picked the same ones....
Hollyweirds A list smells like sh!t. I hope none of them show up, and Trump gets people who have some real talent.
Hollyweirds A list smells like sh!t. I hope none of them show up, and Trump gets people who have some real talent.
Aren’t they the silly country girl band that lost 90% of their audience making stupid anti-Bush statements?
They may get on a blacklist, but they would get our side to buy their music, so they wouldn’t lose any income.
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