Ryan Adams has had his music pulled from US radio, and his upcoming album reportedly cancelled, in the wake of assault allegations brought against him.
On Thursday, it was revealed that a number of women had come forward to accuse American musician Ryan Adams of sexual and emotional abuse. In a report from The New York Times, statements were included from the likes of Phoebe Bridgers, Courtney Jaye, and Adams’ ex-wife Mandy Moore.
Likewise, the report also made mention of accusations from a 14-year-old girl who claimed that Adams exposed himself to her.
While Adams’ attorney, Andrew B. Brettler, stated that the artist, “unequivocally denies that he ever engaged in inappropriate online sexual communications with someone he knew was underage,” it was since revealed that FBI agents from the Crimes Against Children Squad had opened an investigation into the matter.
After the Times article was published, Adams took to Twitter to apologise to “anyone I have ever hurt, however unintentionally,” adding that “I would never have inappropriate interactions with someone I thought was underage.”
Now, it seems that Ryan Adams is facing the fallout from these allegations, with his music reportedly being pulled from US radio.
I am not a perfect man and I have made many mistakes. To anyone I have ever hurt, however unintentionally, I apologize deeply and unreservedly.
— Ryan Adams (@TheRyanAdams) February 13, 2019
As someone who has always tried to spread joy through my music and my life, hearing that some people believe I caused them pain saddens me greatly. I am resolved to work to be the best man I can be. And I wish everyone compassion, understanding and healing.
— Ryan Adams (@TheRyanAdams) February 13, 2019
As Billboard notes, a number of radio stations in the US have begun to remove Adams’ new single, ‘Fuck The Rain’, from rotation despite it reaching #20 on the Adult Alternative Songs chart.
According to the data from Nielsen Music, ‘Fuck The Rain’ was receiving 54 plays per day on radio as of Monday, January 11th. However, one day after the allegations against Adams were made public on Thursday, this number was down to just eight plays, with only one occurring past 6am.
When asked by Billboard for comment, a number of programmers confirmed their decision to pull his latest single from their rotation.
“I’m not rewarding this guy anymore. That’s stupid. Go count your money. I don’t wanna be complicit.”
“We pulled all of his music today, which was a difficult decision,” said one programmer. “On the one hand, I believe in innocent until proven guilty, but on the other hand, in the court of public opinion, he has already been convicted. And public opinion is what impacts our listeners.”
“I’ve always believed that what you don’t play doesn’t hurt you, but what you do play can,” they continued. “If it were only library tunes, no one would even notice, but because we are playing ‘Fuck the Rain,’ his song comes up often enough to be noticed.”
“I contacted my Capitol rep this morning and explained our decision to him.”
This just in. pic.twitter.com/WCDuOwAkJG
— Bull Moose (the vinyl) (@BullMooseVinyl) February 15, 2019
While Ryan Adams isn’t the first one to have his music dropped from radio in the wake of allegations made against him, it seems that his plan to release three new albums in 2019 may also be on hold.
As The New York Times reports, Adams’ first album of the year, Big Colors, was on track to be released on April 19th, with two others to follow in the coming months.
However, this release date seems to have been pushed back at the current moment, with Bull Moose, a record store chain in Maine and New Hampshire, explaining that they had been notified by their supplier that the album “has been canceled effectively immediately.”
Likewise, pre-orders for the record have also been removed from Adams’ website, however Capitol Music Group, who were set to distribute Adams’ records, have not yet spoken in regards to the matter as yet.
As Rolling Stone also points out, amplifier company Benson have also severed their ties with the artist.
“We are saddened and surprised by the recent allegations against Mr. Ryan Adams as documented in the New York Times,” Christopher Benson explained.
“We have decided to suspend our relationship with Mr. Adams at this moment, and will no longer move forward with the development of the Ryan Adams signature model. We have no further comment at this time.”