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.
Two words:
BOYCOTT HOLLYWOOD!
Calling Ted Nugent and Kid Rock!
I thought the Chicks were safely locked up in the FR basement, next to Dan Rather’s cell?
What did the blind man say when he passed the fish market?
Good day Miss Maines.
America needs to > blacklist< Hollywood
Come on people , we can do it . 4 years NO MOVIES , and only patriotic music .
Stop buying music online , STOP going to ANY movies .
Totally boycott these pinheads . Force them to sell their Jet Streams and their estates , Crush them like bugs , financially. Teach them a lesson no one will ever forget .
Aren’t you sick of living with their crap yet? It’s time to hit them all where it hurts . In their incomes . Which come from us . Turn it off , 100%
Go compost your underarm hair and shut up, stupid Austin commies.
Gee, Blacklisting... How inclusive of them.
They should organize a pre-concert book burning down in Miami. Art Of The Deal. The symbolism would be lost upon them.
He should bring in Damn Yankees.
Before listening to the Dixie Chicks, real entertainers should consider what their intrusion into politics cost them.
Hey Hollywood!
You know all those FBI and DOJ people assigned to investigating and prosecuting film and song pirating and copyright violations? All those people who help you maintain your profit margins?
Trump is going to re-assign them to investigate vote fraud in California and New York. Have a nice day.
Hollywood doesn’t seem to respect our our nation works, like the little speech of Obama’s before the election. Hypocrites.
The Dixie Chicks name is sexist! /s
Don't forget Charlie Daniels! I don't know if he's been invited, but I always pay to hear the CDB.
HILARIOUS. Why does Trump even bother with these idiots?
besides, these jerks better know its a two way street..
Funny how someone so unimportant thinks he’s important.
Has it occurred to any of these “entertainers” that DJT has the power to make their lives and careers virtual Hell forever? Not that he would — but he could.
bake the damn cake, private individuals are forced to check their beliefs at the door and do work for hire without protest.
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