It’s Time to Forgive Ryan Adams

Hi! My name is Rachel Hurley, and I am a 30-year veteran of the music business. I currently own a boutique music publicity firm, Sweetheart Pub, where I work with up-and-coming Americana, Folk, and Country artists. For more info about me and what I do, please visit http://sweetheartpr.com.

I may regret this. But it’s The Year of Truth — so let’s go.

I mostly agree with this piece from, uh, The Federalist.

https://thefederalist.com/2024/01/11/can-music-save-ryan-adams-life/

Doh. Never thought I would write THOSE words.

The piece ends on the question of forgiving Ryan Adams for his past transgressions. Well, I’ve got some thoughts.

I believed the women when they came forward. It was an easy decision. Even though I have been a die-hard fan of Adams’ music since seeing him on SNL in 2001 — I’d heard countless ‘Ryan Adams is an asshole’ stories over the years. People in the music industry love to gossip. I’d turned down at least two opportunities to meet him years before his behavior hit the national news. I loved Adams’ music so much that I didn’t want to meet him and have him ruin it for me.

When his treatment of women in his orbit came to fruition — my first thought was — DUH. I’ve been in the music industry for 30 years — and in that time, men have treated me horribly. From the dismissals to the appropriations of ideas and credit, the sexual advances that I so easily blew off (creating enemies for life) to many literally trying to destroy me and my reputation with lies and gossip. People always talk about the music industry like it’s unique and…