Country stars who performed at various Trump events this year have included Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean and young up-and-coming new traditionalist Parker McCollum. Those aren't D listers by any measure and a network special featuring them and other performers with pro-Trump leanings would trounce previous Kennedy Center Honors ratings records. The question of artistic merit and whether such a show would live up to Kennedy Center standards is moot now that the Center has capitulated and is now a Trump entertainment franchise.
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Kennedy Center Changes
- Thread starter TheBigA
- Start date
The TV special is a major fundraiser for the center. So if they can raise more money with John Voight and Lee Greenwood, then it's worth doing. But while it's nice to have the title of chairman, the main job of these board members is to bring in money to further the artistic mission. There is a daily children's program that goes on there. The WaPo was saying a lot of big donors may not take to this becoming a political thing. Their involvement is primarily for charity. So there's a lot more thrashing about to happen.
Ben Folds, who was the artistic director of the National Symphony, resigned today. Also opera star Renee Fleming. That's an ominous sign:
www.hollywoodreporter.com
Ben Folds, who was the artistic director of the National Symphony, resigned today. Also opera star Renee Fleming. That's an ominous sign:
Ben Folds Resigns as Artistic Director of NSO After Trump Move to Replace Leadership
On Wednesday, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had been elected chair of the Kennedy Center. President Deborah F. Rutter has also departed the institution, as has Renée Fleming and Shonda Rhimes.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
These people aren't interested in systems. They're interested in tearing down systems.
I can't imagine any self-respecting non-MAGA musicians and performers will be part of any performances at the Kennedy Center going forward.The TV special is a major fundraiser for the center. So if they can raise more money with John Voight and Lee Greenwood, then it's worth doing. But while it's nice to have the title of chairman, the main job of these board members is to bring in money to further the artistic mission. There is a daily children's program that goes on there. The WaPo was saying a lot of big donors may not take to this becoming a political thing. Their involvement is primarily for charity. So there's a lot more thrashing about to happen.
Ben Folds, who was the artistic director of the National Symphony, resigned today. Also opera star Renee Fleming. That's an ominous sign:
Ben Folds Resigns as Artistic Director of NSO After Trump Move to Replace Leadership
On Wednesday, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had been elected chair of the Kennedy Center. President Deborah F. Rutter has also departed the institution, as has Renée Fleming and Shonda Rhimes.
My wife and a writing partner have been working on a new musical for the better part of 15 years. It had a very well received 4 week production last fall and they are working on shopping it around. I asked her if the Kennedy Center, while unlikely, wanted to produce some new works this coming year would they be interested in having it produced there as such a thing would normally be a huge honor. I didn't even finish asking the question before she answered with a "Hell no!".
The MAGA wrecking crew is going to set this country back decades, assuming that we ever get out from under it. Hungary went down this same path already and it's not looking good for them.
Val
Actress Issa Rae has canceled a sold-out show at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, citing "an infringement of values" at the venue after President Trump fired board members and installed himself as chairman this week.
"Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I've decided to cancel my appearance at this venue," the actress said on Instagram.
www.cbsnews.com
"Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I've decided to cancel my appearance at this venue," the actress said on Instagram.
Issa Rae cancels sold-out event at Kennedy Center following Trump takeover
Television producer Shonda Rhimes and singer-songwriter Ben Folds have also cut ties with the Kennedy Center after President Trump's takeover of the venue.
www.cbsnews.com
Washington Post reports the gloomy mood at the Kennedy Center after the change:
NPR did an interview with the ousted President of the Kennedy Center:
WaPo says these changes could destroy the Kennedy Center:
Mainly because the ideologues don't support the arts. So this means they have to change the way they behave.
One of the new board members is Lee Greenwood:
Mainly because the ideologues don't support the arts. So this means they have to change the way they behave.
One of the new board members is Lee Greenwood:
President Trump adds 'God Bless the U.S.A.' singer Lee Greenwood to Kennedy Center board
President Donald Trump has appointed Nashville singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood to the Kennedy Center board after announcing himself as the Chairman of the performing arts center's board.
www.usatoday.com
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The premise is probably right: the Kennedy Center will not exist in any kind of recognizable form by 2029... because its only recognizable form was the CBS TV special every December.
All the comparisons to Viktor Orban are null and void for that reason. The Kennedy Center is not a center of culture, outside of fêteing a bunch of retired (or washed up but still working) artists once a year.
or one hit wonders like Lee Greenwood?
Hardly a one-hit wonder. Not really a fan of his, but he had seven Billboard No. 1 country hits -- none of which was "God Bless the USA," which charted twice and never got higher than No. 7. On the Hot 100, it did even worse -- a No. 16 peak in 2001, a complete whiff on original release in 1983.
Incidentally, he never was noted as a particularly jingoistic personality until his recent association with the president. His other country hits were straightforward love and heartbreak songs, for the most part, comparable to Kenny Rogers' balladry (albeit with no story songs like "The Gambler" and "Coward of the County").
Not really. The Kennedy Center exists and operates under the rules set forth by congress. That's how the president was able to fire the board and replace them with his friends. About 16% of its funding comes from the government. Over the years, the government's financial commitment has declined, but the rules about its operations never changed.
They do lots of private fundraising. They raise $200 million a year using the contacts and programs they have. But they just blew that whole system up. So now they have to start from scratch. They're also trying to shut down PBS, so that way of raising money will likely go away. The people who used to support it aren't likely to support it now.
with more begging than an obese dachshund
The president was at the Kennedy Center, attacking what it used to be, and explaining how he will make it better:
apnews.com
He says he'll bring Lee Greenwood and Broadway musicals. He also wants to host the Kennedy Center Honors:
www.nytimes.com
Trump visits the Kennedy Center as he puts his mark on the national arts institution
President Donald Trump is visiting the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. It's his first time at the marquee arts institution since he began remaking it at the start of his second term in office.
apnews.com
He says he'll bring Lee Greenwood and Broadway musicals. He also wants to host the Kennedy Center Honors:
Trump Visits the Kennedy Center and Muses on Hosting its Honors Gala
The president had harsh words for “Hamilton,” which canceled a planned tour there after he took over the center, but seemed excited about a long-planned “Les Misérables.”
I was just thinking about this today. How are these people who have never run an arts non-profit going to raise the hundreds of millions it takes to keep the place open? Turns out they have no idea. So they're asking for an investigation:
slate.com
They will discover that when you jam politics down the throats of rich donors, they stop giving. And you're stuck with a big expensive white elephant.
Can the Kennedy Center Survive Trump?
Artists and donors are bailing. Ticket sales are down. Things aren’t looking good for D.C.’s premier arts institution.
They will discover that when you jam politics down the throats of rich donors, they stop giving. And you're stuck with a big expensive white elephant.
Waiting for threats to jail donors who are no longer donatingI was just thinking about this today. How are these people who have never run an arts non-profit going to raise the hundreds of millions it takes to keep the place open? Turns out they have no idea. So they're asking for an investigation:
Can the Kennedy Center Survive Trump?
Artists and donors are bailing. Ticket sales are down. Things aren’t looking good for D.C.’s premier arts institution.
They will discover that when you jam politics down the throats of rich donors, they stop giving. And you're stuck with a big expensive white elephant.
Or deportation.
What a terrible idea:
www.cbsnews.com
You can tell these politicians have no idea how to run a non-profit. Typically naming rights of theaters go to major benefactors. Not as political patronage. One of the theaters was named after the founder of Geico Insurance, who gave millions of dollars to the Kennedy Center. The Opera House is where they do the annual Kennedy Center Honors. So they're obviously preparing to turn it into a political night instead of a charity event.
House Republicans propose naming Kennedy Center's opera house after Melania Trump
House Republicans on Tuesday advanced a measure that would rename the Kennedy Center's opera house after first lady Melania Trump — as President Trump boosts his influence over the center.
www.cbsnews.com
You can tell these politicians have no idea how to run a non-profit. Typically naming rights of theaters go to major benefactors. Not as political patronage. One of the theaters was named after the founder of Geico Insurance, who gave millions of dollars to the Kennedy Center. The Opera House is where they do the annual Kennedy Center Honors. So they're obviously preparing to turn it into a political night instead of a charity event.
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A strange argument to make regarding a building that is named after John F. Kennedy, who was, checks notes President of the United States when the center was being designed and funded, and who appointed his wife, Jackie Kennedy, as first co-chair (with Mamie Eisenhower).