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“We Still Like His Records”: Twin Temple Clears The Air On Charley Crockett Firing, Announces New Shooter Jennings-Produced Album
Clearing the air on the controversy.
At this point, I’m sure you’ve already heard about Charley Crockett’s most recent controversy regarding satanism (of all things). In case you haven’t, let me catch you up to speed.
Back in March, the “Jamestown Ferry” singer announced his sprawling, 49-show Age of the Ram Tour that began back in April and will conclude in early October. Unsurprisingly, Crockett grabbed a ton of openers, employing the likes of Nat Myers and Durand Jones & The Indicators as primary openers during a majority of the tour. Additionally, he called upon the likes of Kashus Culpepper, Sierra Hull, Margo Price, Lee Fields, Honky Tonkin’ Queens, Wild Horses, Pony Bradshaw and Twin Temple as support on select dates.
If you’re familiar with the alternative/independent country scene, a majority of these names are sure to ring a bell. With that being said, however, there was one major outlier, at least aesthetically: Twin Temple.
Taking to Instagram last Wednesday, Twin Temple announced that Crockett and Co. have removed them from their upcoming shows that were slated for this week (July 14th and 18th) due to their satanic imagery. The duo would apologize to fans and express how grateful they are for their support, finishing the post by hailing Satan.
“Today we were informed that Charley Crockett has decided to remove Twin Temple has decided to remove Twin Temple from his upcoming shows next week due to our Satanic imagery. Unfortunately, that means we will not be able to perform for you next week as planned. We are really disappointed as we were looking forward to getting back out and seeing you, and also what it means as far as bringing different types of people and music lovers together. We are sorry to everyone who was planning to see us. We’re grateful for your support, not only of Twin Temple, but more importantly of artistic freedom. HAIL SATAN! 93/93″
View this post on Instagram
In response, Crockett would go on a bit of a social media tirade (which has all been wiped on Instagram as of writing). First, he’d take to Instagram to upload a photo of Johnny Cash posing in front of a church, along with Kris Kristofferson’s “To Beat The Devil” playing in the background. In the caption, he’d simply write:
“If they did it to Jesus, imagine what they’ll do to you.”
A day later, he’d post a fairly standard photo of himself. Here, he’d not only take aim at satanism itself but also President Trump and Jeffrey Epstein in the caption in an admittedly strange response.
“F*CK TRUMP
F*CK EPSTEIN
BUT HAIL SATAN?
NOT ME JACK”
He’d follow that up with yet another post on Instagram Friday night, saying he is “not sorry” for canceling them as openers, clarifying that he is not politically aligned on the left or the right, adding that “God is the fabric that ties all of life together.”
He also explained how he feels about the entertainment industry, summing it up by saying there are many involved who he believes would “kill a relative” to get famous or make it, seemingly implying that Twin Temple are nothing more than soulless shock rockers.
But throughout this entire saga, Twin Temple had not commented on the whole situation outside of the initial announcement. That, however, changed today.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, the husband and wife duo would confirm that the removal came from Crockett himself, with Alexandrea noting that they got a call from the “Jamestown Ferry” singer’s agent.
“Our former agent got a call from Charley’s agent, and he just said, ‘Charley made the decision to remove you due to satanic imagery.’ We just recently started working with a new agent, and we asked them to call Charley’s agent again to confirm, and that’s what they said.”
On the topic of artistic freedom, Alexandrea would express that she was disappointed, explaining that she thought it could bring different types of people together. Additionally, she’d say that she thinks they share a lot of similarities at the core of their music.
“Artistic freedom isn’t guaranteed, so that’s something that we don’t take for granted. But I felt like it would have been a really cool statement on Charley’s part about music being able to bring people from different backgrounds together. I feel like music is maybe the hands-down most beautiful and powerful art form to bring people together. The reason why we were so excited about these shows was to build some of these bridges. Charley is a really talented artist, and I think we share so much musical DNA: our love of everything from Roy Orbison to Buddy Holly, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, Burrito Brothers, the blues. So, we’re a little sad. It felt like maybe it’s reinforcing a divide between artists.”
I think they might overestimate how many people actually want to “build some of these bridges” with people who openly hail Satan… performative or otherwise.
Zachary would also add that Crockett ultimately had the right to make the call since it is his show, and that they hold no ill will towards him. When asked directly if there’s a feud with Crockett, both Zachary and Alexandrea would shoot down the notion, with Alexandrea explaining that they still have a lot of respect for what he’s doing in the Americana scene.
“We still like his records, and we still respect what he’s doing for American music.”
Clearing the air, Zachary would also add that the point of the initial post wasn’t to call the Texas native out, but instead to notify fans about the cancelled dates.
For all intents and purposes, Twin Temple handled the entire situation incredibly well, better than Crockett, admittedly. You can have your qualms about the fact that they’re satanists; however, this was a beyond respectful response that quite easily could have been handled with much more anger towards the Texas troubadour. Gotta give credit where credit is due.
They duo also announced their next album today. Titled Doomed Lovers, the album is produced by none other than Charley Crockett’s own most recent producer, Shooter Jennings. Are you starting to understand how they got booked in the first place? Seems like Shooter may have made the connection or the recommendation, and Charley and/or someone from his team didn’t dig into it at all.
Doomed Lovers is out October 9th… if you’re interested in “satanic doo wop.”
Age of the Ram Tour Dates
July 14 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield with Twin Temple
July 15 – Spokane, WA – BECU Live at Northern Quest Resort & Casino with Sierra Hull
July 16 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater with Margo Price
July 18 – Paso Robles, CA – Vina Robles Amphitheatre with Twin Temple
July 27 – Goshen, IN – Elkhart County 4-H Fair
Aug 27 – Canyon, TX – The Lumberyard Canyon with The Weary Boys
Aug 28 – Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas with The Weary Boys
Aug 29 – Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas with Jake Penrod
Aug 30 – Helotes, TX – Floore’s Country Store with Jake Penrod
Sept 01 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre with Pony Bradshaw
Sept 02 – Dothan, AL – The Plant with Pony Bradshaw
Sept 04 – Savannah, GA – Johnny Mercer Theatre with Pony Bradshaw
Sept 05 – Charlottesville, VA – Ting Pavilion with Nat Myers
Sept 09 – Orlando, FL – Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts with Nat Myers
Sept 10 – Hollywood, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with Nat Myers
Sept 12 – Robinsonville, MS – Horseshoe Casino’s Bluesville – Bluesville with Nat Myers
Sept 14 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live! with Nat Myers
Sept 15 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee with Nat Myers
Sept 16 – Maryland Heights, MO – Saint Louis Music Park with Durand Jones & The Indications
Sept 17 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre with Durand Jones & The Indications
Sept 19 – Youngstown, OH – Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre with Durand Jones & The Indications
Sept 21 – Wilmington, NC – Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park with Durand Jones & The Indications
Sept 22 – North Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery with Durand Jones & The Indications
Sept 24 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre with Durand Jones & The Indications
Sept 25 – Atlanta, GA – Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park with Durand Jones & The Indications
Sept 26 – Louisville, KY – Bourbon & Beyond Festival
Sept 29 – Lewiston, NY – Artpark Mainstage Theater with Durand Jones & The Indications
Oct 01 – New York, NY – SummerStage in Central Park with Durand Jones & The Indications
Oct 02 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage with Durand Jones & The IndicationsThe post “We Still Like His Records”: Twin Temple Clears The Air On Charley Crockett Firing, Announces New Shooter Jennings-Produced Album first appeared on Whiskey Riff.