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Radio programmer now blamed for state fair incident
- Thread starter flip23
- Start date
I have followed this story from a distance because I used to live in Indy, and was a regular at the State Fair.
I read the link. I don't think your SUBJECT LINE accurately portrays what the story relates. From the time it happened it was obvious that the radio guy who went on stage and said the show would start soon instead of saying: "Maybe you folks should RUN LINK HELL, pronto, pronto" would end up being among the long list of people named in lawsuits that were bound to happen. That isn't the NEW NEWS in this story.
I read the link. I don't think your SUBJECT LINE accurately portrays what the story relates. From the time it happened it was obvious that the radio guy who went on stage and said the show would start soon instead of saying: "Maybe you folks should RUN LINK HELL, pronto, pronto" would end up being among the long list of people named in lawsuits that were bound to happen. That isn't the NEW NEWS in this story.
The state fair official seems to be saying she told the radio person to make an announcement to evacuate, and that he failed to do so. He claims otherwise. In truth it's really hard to place full blame for this on any person or persons, and certainly not the guy making a stage announcement. It was a freak gust of wind that caused this. Yes, if certain things had been rigged, said or done in different ways this might not have happened, but over 99% of the time, a brief wind gust wouldn't cause such destruction.
You and I cannot settle this case on the Internet. The courtroom will eventually settle the case. (Unless the parties agree to a settlement of some kind rather than "roll the dice" with a jury.) In a damage case the courtroom can be very, very harsh.
You are leaning strongly on the idea that this was a "freak gust of wind". A suggestion that no one could have realized this had any probability of happening. Again, I am leaning on months old memory, but when they call the Weather Bureau people to the stand, and maybe a private forecaster who may have been providing advice, "it ain't gonna be purty". My memory of the stories is that the weather people were warning that this was a FREAKY STORM with a HIGH PROBABILITY of vicious winds. The jury will hear that. The jury will hear the defense say that there was no reason to believer that a "freak gust of wind" could be expected.
The courtroom can be very dangerous. And the courtroom can choose to lay the major blame ON SOMEONE that you and I could find surprising.
You are leaning strongly on the idea that this was a "freak gust of wind". A suggestion that no one could have realized this had any probability of happening. Again, I am leaning on months old memory, but when they call the Weather Bureau people to the stand, and maybe a private forecaster who may have been providing advice, "it ain't gonna be purty". My memory of the stories is that the weather people were warning that this was a FREAKY STORM with a HIGH PROBABILITY of vicious winds. The jury will hear that. The jury will hear the defense say that there was no reason to believer that a "freak gust of wind" could be expected.
The courtroom can be very dangerous. And the courtroom can choose to lay the major blame ON SOMEONE that you and I could find surprising.
Any time people are hurt or killed, others look to place blame. "Blame" for this can likely be spread among many entities and persons. Nonetheless, it was an accident. That's not to say that accidents can't be prevented. I'm sure all involved wish certain things leading up to this incident had or hadn't been done.
Most Lawyers try sue "deep pockets" if possible. Line up the funds of all parties, State Fairgrounds, Sugarland, the promoter, the broadcaster, and the programmer. Who has the most to lose? If there is a Criminal case, the DA (if elected) will often go for a win. The party with the least legal fire power could be a tempting guaranteed victory.
With experience working with both Cindy and Bob in the past, I'd say they are both capable of "passing the buck." But, in this case, my observation is Cindy didn't want to make the tough decision to cancel.
She rose through the ranks of the fairgrounds in Marketing with an education in Art history. Folks in the trailer that night, including Michelle and Margaret are marketing folks. Their goal is to put on the show and increase attendance to the fairgrounds. One thing not mentioned in the updated Indy star article is about the "emergency plan" which was quoted several months ago. Basically, it is a marketing plan to keep people happy.
Like any investigation the time for scrutiny was the day of or day after the event. Now, there has been time for excuses and justifications to be created. Nothing was ever stated before now that Bob was told to cancel the show. The shock is over and self preservation has moved to the forefront.
Cindy will blame the announcer, the band, the "freak" weather, and anyone else in this incident. Ironically, the error wasn't from the outside herself it was from the inside. In my experience she just doesn't like to make the tough decisions. Her default reaction is to let someone else take the heat and she can say "I'm sorry, it wasn't my call to disappoint these folks...come back to the fair next year."
Former director Bill Stinson never forgot he was in charge of the whole fairgrounds. Love him or hate him he would make the tough calls. Sadly, Cindy couldn't leave her marketing background behind that night. Marketing won over safety and the fans paid the price.
She rose through the ranks of the fairgrounds in Marketing with an education in Art history. Folks in the trailer that night, including Michelle and Margaret are marketing folks. Their goal is to put on the show and increase attendance to the fairgrounds. One thing not mentioned in the updated Indy star article is about the "emergency plan" which was quoted several months ago. Basically, it is a marketing plan to keep people happy.
Like any investigation the time for scrutiny was the day of or day after the event. Now, there has been time for excuses and justifications to be created. Nothing was ever stated before now that Bob was told to cancel the show. The shock is over and self preservation has moved to the forefront.
Cindy will blame the announcer, the band, the "freak" weather, and anyone else in this incident. Ironically, the error wasn't from the outside herself it was from the inside. In my experience she just doesn't like to make the tough decisions. Her default reaction is to let someone else take the heat and she can say "I'm sorry, it wasn't my call to disappoint these folks...come back to the fair next year."
Former director Bill Stinson never forgot he was in charge of the whole fairgrounds. Love him or hate him he would make the tough calls. Sadly, Cindy couldn't leave her marketing background behind that night. Marketing won over safety and the fans paid the price.
Hard to imagine "the blame" being put on any one person. It was a really sad, horrifying tragedy that unfortunately happened. Fair officials should of been monitoring the radar and been far better prepared. Even if they didn't know they strong winds were coming, they knew a heavy downpour and dangerous lightning was on the way an hour or two before the storm arrived.
This youtube video below shows the radar that evening. For nobody to realize bad weather is on the way is almost incredible to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIwttmaaUwE
No way one of the radio personalities on site should be blamed for this. At the end of the day, it is a Indiana State Fairgrounds show. And absolutely ANYONE could have grabbed a mic on stage and told people to seek shelter. Did not have to be a guy from a radio station.
This youtube video below shows the radar that evening. For nobody to realize bad weather is on the way is almost incredible to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIwttmaaUwE
No way one of the radio personalities on site should be blamed for this. At the end of the day, it is a Indiana State Fairgrounds show. And absolutely ANYONE could have grabbed a mic on stage and told people to seek shelter. Did not have to be a guy from a radio station.
Nobody in my opinion at WFMS or Even Hank-FM i dont know which station promoted the sugarland concert that night. but the Fairgrounds book them for that night so the people in charge at the fairgrounds are the ones who should take the brunt of this Not anyone at 95.5 nor 97.1 should be even remotely invovled in this case. they just promoted this eventRO77 said:Hard to imagine "the blame" being put on any one person. It was a really sad, horrifying tragedy that unfortunately happened. Fair officials should of been monitoring the radar and been far better prepared. Even if they didn't know they strong winds were coming, they knew a heavy downpour and dangerous lightning was on the way an hour or two before the storm arrived.
This youtube video below shows the radar that evening. For nobody to realize bad weather is on the way is almost incredible to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIwttmaaUwE
No way one of the radio personalities on site should be blamed for this. At the end of the day, it is a Indiana State Fairgrounds show. And absolutely ANYONE could have grabbed a mic on stage and told people to seek shelter. Did not have to be a guy from a radio station.
This couldve been say an LMFAO concert at the fairgrounds. what are we gonna do blame Radio Now's or I94's People for this.
or it couldve been Motley Crue doing the concert that night. are we gonna blame Q95 or WJJK for it
Let's assume someone standing right in front of the grandstand... a citizen, a music fan if you please, climbed up on the stage and grabbed the mic and yelled: Come on, folks. We paid good money to buy tickets for this show. Now take my word. I am a private pilot and know about weather. There is no problem. Just stand your ground a few minutes... when they see us staying, they are going to start making music.
If such a jerk had stepped forward and made such statement, he would likely be paying legal bills right now to keep a lawsuit from taking his house and every thing he owns.
Radio stations are routinely sponsors of concerts. If a radio guy (or gal) encouraged the audience to stay put... the concert will begin soon... the audience does not know who has contract with whom. The audience will see the announcer as an "authorized authority" a good lawyer is going to include the announcer (and the station) in the lawsuit. Then it becomes the radio announcers duty and expense to defend and claim he/she had no responsibility. A smart radio announcer will have in their contract a "hold harmless" clause which says the station will pay for any awards the court may make against the announcer. (The court would say hold the announcer responsible for 3 million dollars in death and injury claims.... and the announcers lawyer would turn to the station and say: Here, you pay the bill.
Now we have the problem: what, if anything does the radio stations agreement with the state fair and/or the concert promoter say about who will pay for the other guy's claim. Shoot, even if you win the case and the court says the announcer was not at fault.... who pays the lawyer's bill? One of the reasons we buy auto insurance and other liability (like homeowners) is NOT just to pay the awards, but the PAY THE LAWYER to make sure there is no award.
If such a jerk had stepped forward and made such statement, he would likely be paying legal bills right now to keep a lawsuit from taking his house and every thing he owns.
Radio stations are routinely sponsors of concerts. If a radio guy (or gal) encouraged the audience to stay put... the concert will begin soon... the audience does not know who has contract with whom. The audience will see the announcer as an "authorized authority" a good lawyer is going to include the announcer (and the station) in the lawsuit. Then it becomes the radio announcers duty and expense to defend and claim he/she had no responsibility. A smart radio announcer will have in their contract a "hold harmless" clause which says the station will pay for any awards the court may make against the announcer. (The court would say hold the announcer responsible for 3 million dollars in death and injury claims.... and the announcers lawyer would turn to the station and say: Here, you pay the bill.
Now we have the problem: what, if anything does the radio stations agreement with the state fair and/or the concert promoter say about who will pay for the other guy's claim. Shoot, even if you win the case and the court says the announcer was not at fault.... who pays the lawyer's bill? One of the reasons we buy auto insurance and other liability (like homeowners) is NOT just to pay the awards, but the PAY THE LAWYER to make sure there is no award.
O
Onesimus
Guest
No one in the broadcasting industry is more concerned about safety than Bob Richards. I worked with him for a lot of years and saw him cancel promotions/stunts numerous times because of what I sometimes thought was a heightened concern for the safety/well-being of participants. I no longer have a "dog in the fight," but feel compelled to say that anyone who knows Bob knows how conscientious he is.
C
cspotrun
Guest
having been an MC for many concerts like that, you are TOLD what to say by the band's manager and WHEN. i would be surprized if he made the annoucement without being told to.
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