Dance With Them That Brung You

by digby

Looks like Sarah Palin has disappointed some of her fans:

She’s making a big mistake. One of the most important things a country star does is cater to the fans. It’s expected that they will stay for long hours and sign memorabilia and get their picture taken:

Have you ever wondered why careers of country stars last a long, long time? The biggest reason, of course, is great songs. Another reason is that country stars know how to treat fans. Look at Kenny Chesney, one of the hottest out there, who is always ready with a smile at a meet-and-greet. George Jones and Willie Nelson are always ready to give an autograph or have a photo snapped. One year during Fan Fair, Garth Brooks signed autographs for 23 hours without a taking a pee break. Amazing! Alan Jackson, tall, country and shy, will always allow a photo and share an autograph. It’s just part of being country.

I’ve reported before when young artists refused to give fans autographs. Once again, I have to remind you youngsters that fans are the reason you are allowed to go onstage and sing. You owe your career to the fans. Sorry, but I’ve got to call names, and it makes me angry.

Maybe there were extenuating circumstances and legitimate reasons that some of these situations occurred, but artists — especially young artists — deserve to be told how the public views their off-stage behavior. They need to know what the word is on the street.

A case in point is the recent Indiana State Fair. It runs for 10 days in Indianapolis, and country stars perform there each and every day. It’s wonderful to get a report back that says, “Darryl Worley is the nicest guy you will ever meet.”

Then I hear Miranda Lambert refused to give autographs for security reasons. How crazy is that? Security? I have become a fan of this girl, and she has lots of fans, but will they stay around if she refuses to give autographs? I doubt it.

Yep. Indiana.

Palin may have felt she could walk away from her Alaskan constituents after less than two years, but she’s better not walk away from her fans. Being a big shot country celebrity is a very ritualistic pursuit and she had better learn the rules.

And unfortunately for her, country stars have to have a very, very strong work ethic. They work hard for their money and always put the fans first.

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