British Country Music Magazine - rant!

Sheriff · British Country Music Magazine - rant!

Before I start I just want to make something clear. I am not going to name the magazine in question at this stage, however, if I don’t get a reasonable explanation for their actions I will name them and expose their snide cheating habits for all to see.
OK, let me start by stating this rant is NOT about Country Routes, Gigs & Jigs or
Pathfinder magazines, lets get that bit straight. Let’s call the magazine ‘Mag X’ for the sake of this story.
For the last year or so I’ve been keeping an eye on ‘Mag X’ and it’s content. A very well put together magazine that is packed with information for the reader. However, what gives it’s editor or whoever overlooks the content the right to exclude certain things? You see, they forget that I personally know 2 or 3 of the writers that scribe for ‘Mag X’ and they tell me “the write up defiantly included your show at XXX venue” but where was it in the published version? Here’s an example…
Write up for the Ponsmere Hotel Festival. We were booked to play there on the Friday night and after a 7 hour drive down to the hotel we put on a fabulous show which resulted in a standing ovation blah blah blah. So how come ‘Mag X’ published the write up but excluded our paragraph? It’s not the first time, in fact I have been noting them down and it would appear ‘Mag X’ has a problem with our band as we don’t seem to be in it full stop. Surely this isn’t a back lash from the time ‘Mag X’ sent me 30 copies to my house cos they wanted us to sell them on the road at our gigs? To which I politely explained we couldn’t do as putting a band on the road and the time taken on an evening at our show meant we didn’t have the spare time to promote and sell the 30 magazines. To which I recall ‘Mag X’ representative telling me “Well I hope you never need any help from us” and whacking the phone down on me. Surely ‘Mag X’ are more professional than that?
So ‘Mag X’, you know who you are, what is your problem? Because things like this only add weight around the neck of Country Music in England and as we’re all trying so hard to keep the music alive and build it’s future, stunts like this will only make it more difficult. Your doing the clubs, bands & fans no favours whatsoever.
I would appreciate some contact from someone at ‘Mag X’ please. I want an explanation for our name never been shown in your magazine and why you feel the need to exclude us. I know your writers aren’t happy either.
This leads me to wonder what else or who else they're excluding??

Not fair is it?

Judy

Lee I applaud you and what you have said I too have had dealings with a mag who for some reason WILL NOT advertise my club! Why I ask myself. I find it immature and totally unprofessional everyone needs to work together but it doesn't happen

Sheriff

you reckon it's the same mag??

Judy

It could possibly be, I wonder if I paid for a full page if they would advertise me then, when money is to be made.
I can tell you that no one will sell the mag in my club, and when I go to other clubs and folk say why dont you advertise, I tell them I do and where to find the ads. There loss my club is busy anyway I dont need folks like that.

grumpy

LEE calm down do you think anyone takes any notice of these mags most of the people i know only buy them for the gig guide and festival adds

i think i have seen most mags on the market and the quality style and content veries from good to shite

to be fair we havnt had a national cm mag since country music round up thats probably the last time i took notice of what was written in there

and before anyone gets on there high horse i wish all of them good luck

Sheriff

Just to keep you all up to date, the editor of the magazine has been approach by a friend of ours who happens to know him. This was the conversation...

Friend : "why do you not publish anything with Wrangler's name in it?"
Editor : "Because they owe me money for an advert they placed"

What? hang on a minute here! We have never had an advert in a mag that we haven't paid for. I keep proper books of the bands finances and we are definatly all paid up. Why not ring me to discuss it?

Cross Country UK - you are childish and pathetic.

Cross Country UK - you have taken a huff because you claim we owe you for an advert? Please call me and if we do, we'll settle it up - no worries.

oh and dont forget about the money you owe me...

... oh yeah, I PAID FOR A YEARS SUBSCRIPTION, 1 MONTH BEFORE IT CHANGED OWNERSHIP THEN YOU ONLY SENT ME 3 MONTHS MAGS AND SAID YOU DIDNT HAVE ANY PROOF I PAID FOR IT SO YOU WOULDN'T HONOUR MY SUBSCRIPTION.

Well I have proof - I have a bank statement which clearly shows the funds clearing my account. Shall we take the same attitude?

CROSS COUNTRY UK - Bunch of amatuers.