Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Crazy Crap / Media / Silverman Shoot the Messenger: Toby Keith vs. The Tennessean's Peter Cooper
Posted by Jack Silverman on Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Wonder what "star" this could be. The only clue Hawke offers is this: "At that moment in time, the Star had a monster radio hit about bombing America's enemies back into the Stone Age." Let's see... big country star, hit song about military aggression, friends with Willie Nelson. I wish Hawke could have given us something to go on here. Like, "Does a bunch of truck commercials," or "Often refers to himself as 'Big Dog Daddy,'" or "Name rhymes with 'Moby Teeth.'" Anyway, according to Hawke, former Army officer Kristofferson took offense, stepped forward and growled, "You ever worn your country's uniform?" Mr. Teeth replied, "What?" and Kristofferson said, "Don't what me, boy! You heard the question. You just don't like the answer. I asked, 'Have you ever served your country?' The answer is, 'No, you have not.'"Now all Cooper did is relate what the Rolling Stone article said. He carefully said, "...according to Hawke, former Army officer Kristofferson took offense...," pointing out that it was Hawke's contention, not irrefutable fact. Sure, he had a little fun with the Moby Teeth thing, but jeez, he's a music journalist. His job is to discuss music news and, when possible, be entertaining. And what he wrote was damn funny, so mission accomplished. Toby's off-the-hook, motherfuckin' tirade, and so fucking much more, after the jump: As reported on Hollywood Grind:
"You from The Tennessean? You wrote that article? You thought that was funny, calling me Moby Teeth? You better watch yourself." "You thought you could dance around it, funny ha-ha, but it was me. Who else wrote a song about bombing enemies? Who else does car commercials?.... You think Ethan Hawke knows me? You think Ethan Hawke can sing a chorus to one of my songs? Or one of my 62 million spins? Doubt it! So you took the story and you Moby Teethed it and took it to another level.... You think Kris Kristofferson motherfucked me? Kris Kristofferson said that shit didn't happen. He e-mailed Rolling Stone and said that shit didn't happen. And you still wrote your story? Who supersized the story? You take credit for that? You and Ethan Hawke are guilty. He doesn't know me, that dick didn't call me, ask me what I thought. I'm struggling being here with you in the room. You ran it and took it to supersize French fries and now you have to answer for it. You've never shit in your fucking ass like you have right now. Do you want to ask me another question?" To which Cooper wisely shook his head "No." According to a witness, "You could hear a pin drop. It looked like Toby was going to knock the crap out of Cooper, who looked horrified!"For the record, Kristofferson did in fact send a note to both Rolling Stone and The Tennessean, though he didn't say, "that shit didn't happen." What he actually said was, "I have to say, though, I have no memory of talking so tough to anyone at Willie's birthday party -- least of all to Toby Keith, (if that's who the nameless star is), for whom I have nothing but admiration and respect." Notice that he didn't deny that it happened, just said he has no memory of it. Sounds kind of like he's trying to get Keith off the hook because Kristofferson said some stuff he regretted, no? And maybe he knows that his friend's tough-guy image would be harmed if people knew he actually called Toby Keith "Boy" and pointed out the hypocrisy of his faux patriotic shtick. And what better way for Keith to reclaim his tough-guy image than by shouting down a reporter in front of his peers? Only Hawke, Keith, Kristofferson, Nelson and the other bystanders (who included Ray Charles and Norah Jones) will ever know what really happened. And for the record, Rolling Stone stands behind the story. But regardless of whether it happened, Mr. Keith, uh, sir, Peter Cooper was just doing his job, and he was just paraphrasing the Rolling Stone story. Take up your beef with Ethan Hawke! Don't shoot the messeger. Don't chew out a respected reporter (who's certainly given you plenty of positive press) in front of a crowd just to show how tough you are, as it makes you look like a pathetic whiner. Sir. By the way, Mr. Keith, "Moby Teeth" is not some sort of vulgarity or insult in the English language, as far as I know. It simply rhymes with your name. And if you honestly think the rest of the Rolling Stone readers hadn't deduced it was you before Cooper put the pieces of the puzzle together, I've got a flag I'd like to sell you. And if I had a choice of listening to your music or reading the work of a journalist whose name may or may not rhyme with "Meter Super," I'll take Liter Hooper any day. In fact, I think Tweeter Scooper is a great music writer, and The Tennessean is lucky to have him. Though I do commend you for adding the term "supersize French fries" to the journalistic lexicon. But shouldn't it really be "supersize Freedom fries"? Or are you one of them?
Comments (49)
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Moby Teeth: Guilty of bad, jingoistic songs AND douchebaggery.
"You've never shit in your ass like you have right now."
Ok, what does that even mean? But it's so vulgar and vicious, maybe it doesn't have to mean anything.
keith is the petulant brat. what does that make you, silverman? this post sounds like somebody on myspace badmouthing their best friend's ex-boyfriend.
I think Keith was trying to say that dude's shit was in his pants but got confused somewhere between the colon and denim.
Guys you might proof read just a little. I'm not sure that Ray Charles was standing next to Norah Jones as a bystander. He's been deceased for a while. Jamie Foxx perhaps?
"Only Hawke, Keith, Kristofferson, Nelson and the other bystanders (who included Ray Charles and Norah Jones) will ever know what really happened. And for the record, Rolling Stone stands behind the story."
saraclark, maybe it's you who needs to proof your comments just a little. The concert in question, Willie Nelson's 70th birthday celebration, was in 2003, and Ray Charles was indeed there.
You see, Ray Charles died in 2004.
If you don't believe me, you can actually buy a copy of Willie Nelson Live & Kickin', a CD of the actual event, which features Ray Charles.
Toby Keith is first a human and then an entertainer. If they guy pissed him off he has every right to call him on it. It is not like he punched him in the face!
I think the reporter is the little whiner here. If he thought he was right why did he shrivel up under Toby's glare?
I think the reporter is the little whiner here. If he thought he was right why did he shrivel up under Toby's glare?
Because Peter Cooper is a genuinely good guy, not a vaguely talented, spoiled brat. He understood that Keith (whom he probably likes and admires) was digging himself into a hole. Cooper chose not to hand him a shovel. That's the behavior of an adult, not a coward.
Hahahaa,
the real problem here is not one of you talkin trash about a patriot, would do so to his face.
and to the reference about toby keith wearing a military uniform, regardless what he wears, he has been to the front lines more times than all of you put together.
TLDNR: Toby cares about the troops, regardless of the war.
That Mr.Cooper would approach Toby Keith about this at a press conference is very brave and commendable; It's his (TK's) turf. He was probably given the opportunity to respond to any of the Tennessean's (PC's) comments in private, but chose to do so in a vulgar and immature way, and in public. How can any mature and professional adult respond to such a venomous tirade?
If you go back and read just a little cross-section of Peter Cooper's writings (which I seriously doubt that Toby Keith has), you would see that he writes first and foremost as a music fan, and has done so much as a music writer for country music. Toby Keith has ended up being the closest thing that a struggling genre has to a blowhard professional wrestler. Patriotic pandering never feels genuinely patriotic.
Actually you misquoted the comment. I read a CMT news story that quoted Toby as saying,"It's really difficult for me to deal with you because I've known you for a long time, and you've never shit in your f**king nest like you did today. So do you want to ask another question?" That seems to make more sense. I imagine Toby was rather upset & while this whole situation was presented in a public forum, I feel that Toby has the right to defend himself publically also. If that's what Cooper got, than I hate to see what's in store for Hawke!
LOL!!! I love reading the opinions of the unballed!!!! I don't hang with such,so these blogs really offer me a lot of insight!
Hey give poor Moby Teef a break, he has never had it easy. He was a fat, average kid, he couldn't get into college, even in Oklahoma; he didn't make it in the oil fields, he tried to play semi-pro football (in Oklahoma that is like men's league softball but that is not how he tells it) and he tried out but didn't make it on the local team of the US Football League before they caved. He finally got a recording contract and started changing labels like you or I change shirts. But it was always someone else's fault. Story of his life, always someone else bringing poor Toby down. Now this week he goes to Vegas for the awards show and makes a fool of himself on stage at his place with a bottle of Jack and some foul language then plays the awards show in a half-assed manner and walks out when he doesn't win then goes back stage for the media pool and singles out Mr. Cooper to hurl more foul language on in what has been described as an event that sucked the air out of the room. I am sure the Warriors will rush in to defend him as usual with the same old tired fanclub tripe but there is only so much defending a losing horse(elsietee tries though)! And by the way, Mr Cooper did not approach TK about it at the news conference, TK came into the room looking for him and left the stage to confront him them went back on stage to deliver his tirade.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Sarah
http://adoptpet.info
Stryker - first of all he didn't go to college because he could make good money in the oil field to support his family (do you know what that means?) and the oil fields went under, he made it fine there (which you never could have)also the football league folded not Toby's fault (at least he made it would you have NO). He has never blamed anybody for anything. As far as his music goes, when you know something is right and will work,which he did with his music.When he got away from those labels he went straight to the top. He left his first label and the second label folded. He decided to have his own label and BOOM is doing just fine. Please get your facts straight before you print them, you are just like Cooper. Toby wrote it so well in THE CRITIC. I love it. Toby isn't a coward like you are, he tells it like it is and you know exactly where he stands and where you stand with him.
"He was probably given the opportunity to respond to any of the Tennessean's (PC's) comments in private, but chose to do so in a vulgar and immature way, and in public."
ummm...Toby wasn't given the opportunity to hear the fabricated story in private...no it was printed in the free press...with that freedom comes the responsibility to make certain what you print is correct. I don't care if you "pick up a story" from another source. If you choose to run a story from another source, you need to stand by the validity of the information under your by line...or at least should! Shame on Peter Cooper for adding fuel to a fabricated story. So Peter is "a music journalist. His job is to discuss music news and, when possible, be entertaining. And what he wrote was damn funny, so mission accomplished."...regardless of if it's true or not, uh? What happened to the "journalist" portion of that title? Let's have someone write a fictitious national story about something that you highly value, call you a fake and see how funny you think it is, ok?!
"He was probably given the opportunity to respond to any of the Tennessean's (PC's) comments in private, but chose to do so in a vulgar and immature way, and in public."
"ummm...Toby wasn't given the opportunity to hear the fabricated story in private..."
Somewhere between those two statements you completely changed the meaning (from "given the opportunity to respond to the Tennessean's comments" to "given the opportunity to hear" the story). But that's beside the point...
Rolling Stone stood by the story, Kristofferson did not deny it (he doesn't recall it), and after the way that Toby Keith acted at the press conference, I'm more likely to believe that the whole thing is true. If he had calmly denied it and dealt with it like a civilized adult, I would be more inclined to believe that his side of the story may be true.
I am amazed that he doesn't have some kind of "handler" that keeps him from doing stupid stuff like this...but maybe he does, and they're probably overworked from the sheer amount of stupid stuff that he probably does on a regular basis.
What is actually strange to me is that the average person probably hasn't read little ole Peter Cooper's article in the Nashville newspaper (which I would bet that some of the people defending Toby Keith's attack on Peter Cooper haven't...forumlurker?), so the only side that they see is the coverage of Toby Keith completely freaking out at a journalist that was covering an article that SOMEONE ELSE wrote about him.
And, forumlurker, Peter Cooper stood by the story that he wrote.
I like the part where one of Moby's backers accuse US of belittling his lack of uniformed service. No, Mr. SGT Latta, that wasn't us. That was Kris Kristofferson, former Army Ranger. Oops.
This is funny, I just hate Toby gave Ethan Hawke so much publicity. Hawke has not been such a star since Uma dumped him, he is just trying to get some publicity since the best he can do is write an article in a washed up magazine like Rolling Stone. I wish Toby would just not give him so much air time, I understand Toby is hot and I for one don't blame him, I just wish he could do it without getting Hawke any attention. I guess Ethan is still hurt by the fact that Uma Thurman dumped his sorry ass
As for Toby going off on Mr. Cooper , he had every right to defend himself. Even if ( and it really is no one else's business anyway ) a converstion like this took place , I am sure there was more there than meets the eye , even of the so called person who says he overheard it.
Toby is very respectful of his fellow artist and would never tell anyone not to do their own thing , just as he wouldn't want it done to him. Even though it was by Mr.Peter Jennings about the very song everyone is speaking of here ( Courteousy of the Red , White and Blue ).
I don't care who you are if you are going to do a story , blog , etc. you should get your facts straight before you open your mouth or put it in print.
As for Kris's statement about he doesn't recall this happening, you can say it's a way for him to cover for Toby doing it if you like , but Kris is one outspoken , tell it like it is kind of person just like Toby , so I find it highly unlikely that he feels he has to cover for anyone or anything.
Brenda, Peter Cooper had his facts straight.
He said that these are the version of the events according to Ethan Hawke.
And they are the version of the events according to Ethan Hawke.
What part of this are you not understanding?
C'mon folks we have to up this a notch!
Toby Keef is a super dooper star!
Hillbilly Casino are not so much - yet.
But when The Spin dissed them, the Cream blog got like 184 hits!!!!
http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/nashvillecream/2008/06/the_spin_rancid_rcktwn.php
Pile on kids!! We are holding at 24 - 25 if this make it.
Jack, I love your comment about “big country star, hit song about military aggression” it’s not that hard to see through your bias, give me a break... I know it makes folks feel smarter when they bash people like Toby Keith. I guess it’s a self medicating does of quasi intellectual gravitas. I hope Toby is laughing all the way to the bank.
If you look at the video at cmt.com you will see that he didn't exactly "rant and rave" - he very calmly discussed the issue with Mr. Cooper. He did curse a lot; but he was angry. But it was a very calm cursing out for which I believe Mr. Cooper should be thankful. If Kris Kristofferson doesn't remember and Willie Nelson now says it didn't happen, perhaps Mr. Cooper should have checked with one of the principals involved in this story before it was printed/blogged.
I am proud of Toby. He takes a beating from the press alot, he deserves to be recognized, not slandered. Toby & Kris are friends, he would never say anything like that, He treats people with respect. WTG Toby !! Toby is dedicated to the men and women who serve our country.
Oh, and I believe he said "sh** in your nest" not "a**" as one of the other commenters stated. Please get your analogies correct.
Kevin,
Much too my surprise, you're not making any sense. I made absolutely no comment about “big country star, hit song about military aggression”—that was an excerpt from Peter's story, set off in a gray blockquote after the words: "An excerpt from Cooper's piece:" And Toby didn't seem to be laughing in that video.
Pat, you might be right on the "ass" vs. "nest" debate, though I've watched the video several times and it's inconclusive. The video wasn't available at the time of my original blog post. We only had the transcripts printed, and as you see, I made it clear that the version was from Hollywood Grind. But you could be correct. There are several other slight variations from the the reported and actual comments, though nothing too consequential.
When does Toby take a beating from the press?
Are you also proud of the misogynistic songs and videos that he continues to release as "country music", Carolyn? Or does wearing camouflage, singing songs about "putting a boot in your ass" and waving flags in American car company commercials excuse that?
I wish I were Toby's "handler". I would have encouraged him to walk away from all this B.S. and not even look at it.
A lot of bored people who need someone to "scapegoat" in order to make their little lives more interesting.
While a lot of you are having a great deal of enjoyment bashing Toby Keith; he's not the bad guy here. The fact is two stories have been circulated that contain inaccuracies. Is that OK just because they mentioned Toby Keith. What if you picked up your local newspaper or a magazine with an article about you or a member of your family that was filled with inaccuracies. I think you might want the chance to correct the mistakes. And four-letter words might come to you more easily than you think.
What is actually strange to me is that the average person probably hasn't read little ole Peter Cooper's article in the Nashville newspaper (which I would bet that some of the people defending Toby Keith's attack on Peter Cooper haven't...forumlurker?), so the only side that they see is the coverage of Toby Keith completely freaking out at a journalist that was covering an article that SOMEONE ELSE wrote about him.
And, forumlurker, Peter Cooper stood by the story that he wrote.
I read the entire piece Mr Cooper wrote prior to writing my post. I did so to have all the facts. ;) As for Toby Keith "freaking out" at a "journalist" (and I use that word generously)...have you watched the 5 minute video over on CMT.com? Toby is NOT "freaking out"...he's quite in control of himself. You might also note that at the end of the video, Mr Cooper says another article stating the encounter between Kris & Toby didn't happen would run in Monday's paper...standing by his story huh?
You know what, it seems to be if anyone tries to take up for themselves against a reporter(particularly Toby Keith) its called childish. I'm sure all of you wonderful, highly intelligent people who have nothing better to do would have done a better job. Yeah right!!!
I think Toby was as calm as he could have been in that situation. You go Toby!
Since when is it childish to point out that false information has been published and to be displeased when one is the subject of the falsehoods? Since when is it admirable and good professional journalism to publish false information? Somthing is upside down here in all this Toby-bashing.
Toby is truly a good person. I join in the comment that I hope he's laughing all the way to the bank (with that $48 million top income that Forbes magazine reported)!
And we're not laughing as he makes his way to do concerts in Iraq again.
He's got to stop that.
I wish I were Toby's "handler". I would have encouraged him to walk away from all this B.S. and not even look at it.
He did this after that "Dixie" chick comment and it all went away with her clucking away about Toby Keith and no body paid attention anymore.
Toby, if you're reading this, just let this B.S. go. Like you did with the "Dixie Chicks".
jack says:
Brenda, Peter Cooper had his facts straight.
He said that these are the version of the events according to Ethan Hawke.
And they are the version of the events according to Ethan Hawke.
What part of this are you not understanding?
Jack, regardless of who said what, Peter Cooper should have investigated this information and made sure that all parties were in agreement.
Toby Keith does not insult his peers. He told about one singer who Toby asked to be a part of a childrens charity, Ally's House, and the singer said "no, I don't like your politics". Toby replied that he wasn't talking politics, he was talking about helping children. He never gave the name of the singer. That was respectful of him and not so much respectful of the singer.
There is a lot of crap written about Toby which he never gets upset about. But, when they are telling lies, he has the right to be upset.
Regardless of one’s opinion of Toby Keith, even Peter Cooper said he’s never know Mr. Keith to lie. In addition to Mr. Keith’s repudiation of the incident, both Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson have also denied that it ever happened. In fact, Mr. Kristofferson denied it twice that I know of. And while Mr. Kristofferson said he appreciated Mr. Hawke’s fine words about him, this was not the only thing in Mr. Hawke’s article that Mr. Kristofferson said was untrue, despite the fact that Rolling Stone says they stand by it. I agree with Mr. Kristofferson when he said this was ‘nonsense’.
"Are you also proud of the misogynistic songs and videos that he continues to release..."
Please name one of them for me...I'm serious.
I have followed Toby's career for over ten years and have never seen or heard anything even slightly "misogynistic" in his work, yet this isn't the first time I've heard his work described this way.
If anything, I think Toby's songs and videos show a great appreciation women...you can tell he loves 'em!
nobody needs to mess with Toby. he will handle anyone in a second. I agree on the post above mine.
TOBY KEITH (AKA---TOBY DICK) IS A FAGGOT AND A LIAR AND TAKES ADVANTAGE OF MILITARY SERVICEMEN JUST TO SELL MORE OF HIS STUPOID MUSIC.HE IS LAZY AND A FAT COWARD!
I've been in love with Kris for 30 years. Even stood by him when he went occasionally nuts. lol
I don't know much about Toby Keith. But, I did see him on the Colbert Christmas Special. I thought he was great.
This story... oh... the drama of it all. Maybe they could record a duet or something. Those "make-up" things always go over big. Even Oprah finally showed up on Letterman.
Love the drama.
Sounds to me like you are unAmerican and if you feel that way maybe you need to be sent back to the stone age Jackie boy
the posters make one thing crystal clear- worship toby keith or else...expect bodily harm at the least and being blown back to the stone age. never seen such a bunch of robotic, rabid, ass-suckers. toby's caca is ice cream. he farts rose essence. he is a genius. he is the most handsome , virile, charming perfect person. he walks on water and can part the seas. he died for our see-yuns. all hail. if toby doesn't re-engineer your ass, one of his worshipful gutter skanks or homoerotic rube fans will.
Tristan,
I Get that you don't care for Toby I think you could have found a better way to Voice your feelings instead of Using Abusive Language.
But The worst thing You called Him was a Faggot
Not only is that untrue But It was Uncalled for
& Slanderous The Fact that Some People Don't Care for Toby Doesn't Bother Me You don't Have
To But You don't Have to Resort to Abusive Language To get your Point Across Especially when Toby is Not around to defend Himself. I happen to Care For Toby
