During a recent Tim McGraw concert, a 19 year old boy was nearly beaten to death. In fact, he had to be air lifted, and police had trouble identifying him because of his extensive injuries.
During the end of the concert, several men in their 20’s jumped the boy and began beating him. Although the initial cause of the attack is unknown, police are pointing fingers at alcohol consumption.
“If you look at the music today, particularly country music, used to be an easy night for us, but now we have serious problems with alcohol in the parking lots during the country concerts. But look at the content of some of their music, it’s all about the booze,” said Chief Arthur O’Neill of the Mansfield Police Department.
Drinking related arrests have become common, especially following country concerts. During this past weekends Aquapalooza, police arrested 44 people for alcohol related crimes and underage drinking.
Every arrest we made was alcohol related,” he said. “Which is what happens when you get a bunch of people together on the water for a big party like this.”
Most people blame the common pre concert ritual of tailgating for the rise in underage drinking arrests, alcohol related crimes, and unruly crowds.
Kenny Chesney concerts have always had a reputation for high alcohol related arrests. In 2009 over 300 rowdy concert goers were detained and over 100 folks were arrested for underage drinking and other alcohol related crimes.
So, the question is….Was this latest event that nearly cost a young man his life the last straw?? Do country music fans have a reputation for drinkin too much like much of the music says? It’s no surprise really. Especially when alcohol flows freely before and during most country shows. And, with sponsors like Budweiser, Miller, Jack Daniels, and Corona…Who can blame people for wanting to party a little harder on their night out on the town?
I’m all for people having a few extra curricular beverages to inspire a bit more fun on their part, but we’ve got to clean up our act and be responsible. We can’t let the alcohol and fun hurt or kill others. The whole point is to go out and have a good time, and then get home safely.
Sources:
http://blog.al.com/montgomery/2011/07/marine_police_arrest_44_at_aqu.html
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/south/12004928310378/man-assaulted-at-tim-mcgraw-concert/http://www.theboot.com/2009/08/17/more-than-100-arrested-at-kenny-chesney-concert/
Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com
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I agree about the drinking and such before shows, it does get a bit out of hand. But who can blame people for pre-gaming before shows when it costs $9-10 dollars for beer in a venue. Perhaps if venues didn’t charge so much once your in the gates for a beer, people wouldn’t binge drink before going in to a show. It’s funny how people are putting a label on country fans and drinking, its really no worse than going to a hip hop/rap show, or even rock.
This kind of doesn’t sit well with me. Do country music fans like their alcohol? Sure we do. Each individual makes their own choices as to how much to consume and when to stop. I like many genres of music (country the most) so attend concerts which are not country as well. I can tell you, their is just as much drinking going on at rock concerts (if not more) than there is at a country show. Not too mention the smell of illegal drugs being smoked at rock shows. I don’t think country music should be given a bad rap because of this incident. We hear of these things happening at all kinds of concerts every year.
I took my son to a rap concert last night — rap has a weed problem — everything has something so get over it.
Jamboree in the Hills is a huge, 4-day country music festival near St. Clairsville, OH. One of the unique features of the festival is that patrons are permitted to bring in a virtually unlimited amount of their own beer. The only limit is the maximum size of your cooler. In spite of the rowdy, beer-soaked atmosphere at JITH, there are very few fights or similar problems. The largest number of arrests are for underage drinking, which law enforcement targets very heavily with undercover cops and large numbers of uniformed officers, some on mounted patrols.
Alcohol may be a contributing factor but shouldn’t bear the full blame for the misbehavior of thugs.
Ashlee, I agree the prices of beer at venues is ridiculous but if they lowered it, you would have just as many people over drinking when they got there because its cheaper.
In Canada we’re not allowed tailgating in the parking lot beforehand. Its illegal. It obviously doesnt stop you from pre-drinking BEFORE at home or in a bar but prevents you from sitting out in the parkin lot drinkin all afternoon. When I head to the States for concerts, I personally find the tailgaiting the best part of the concert experience (maybe just because I dont get to do it often) but I guess I can see how that can certainly add to the problem.
Personally tho, I like to party and have a few drinks but when Im paying $100 to see a show, Id really like to remember it.
Yes, country concerts encourage drinking. I will not go to any more Kenny Chesney concerts because Kenny encourages the drinking and partying. It is obvious he has to get buzzed to perform. When Gary Allen opened for Keith Urban it was disgusting the way he was flaunting his own drinking and acting stupid because of alcohol. No, I am not temperance! I like to have beers, etc., but I do not think the performers have to encourage alcohol comsumption.