Hedley management drops band
Agents cite multiple allegations of sex misconduct
The management team representing the pop-rock group Hedley has terminated all “business relationships with the band.”
A statement Friday from Watchdog Management and the Feldman Agency cites “the multiple allegations against Hedley ” as the reason for the decision.
Halifax-based band Neon Dreams has pulled out as an opening act for the Hedley tour, saying on Twitter: “We understand this choice could negatively impact our band professionally but in the end we have to do what we feel is morally right.”
The other tour opener, Shawn Hook, said on Facebook he was “obviously disheartened” by sexual misconduct allegations against Hedley but would continue “to fulfil my contractual obligations.”
CBC says it is dropping Hedley ’s music from its radio and streaming platforms.
The Hedley rockers — fronted by Jacob Hoggard and including Dave Rosin, Tommy Mac and Jay Benison — are under fire in the wake of a flurry of claims from anonymous Twitter users who alleged inappropriate encounters with the band.
A statement from the band calls the allegations “unsubstantiated.”
On Thursday, Corus Radio announced it had suspended all airplay of Hedley songs across its 30 music stations, as did other stations in Edmonton and Vancouver.
The Junos also dropped the Vancouver group from the upcoming televised awards bash in what was called a joint decision with the band “after careful consideration of the situation.”
Wednesday ’s move by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences came shortly after band members issued a statement addressing claims of impropriety involving young fans.
“We realize the life of a touring band is an unconventional one,” the statement says.
“While we are all now either married or have entered into committed, long-term relationships, there was a time, in the past, when we engaged in a lifestyle that incorporated certain rock ’n’ roll clichés. However, there was always a line that we would never cross.”
Band members say they “respect and applaud the #MeToo movement” and say it is especially important within the music industry, “which does not exactly have an enviable history of treating women with the respect they deserve.”
“We appreciate the bravery of those who have come forward with their own stories, and we realize that all of us, as individuals and as a society, can and must do better when it comes to this issue,” the statement says. “However, if we are to have a meaningful, open and honest discussion, we all have to accept and respect that there are at least two sides to every story.
“The recent allegations against us posted on social media are simply unsubstantiated and have not been validated.
“We would hope that people will bear in mind the context in which these unsupported accusations have been made before passing judgment on us as individuals or as a band.”