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Has Kenny Chesney gotten too big for his raising? Several fans have asked this question recently as Kenny Chesney has changed his camera policy at shows. Just a few weeks ago, an announcement came that no cameras or cell phones were allowed in shows. After an outrage cry from fans, that policy was changed to say that no cameras with video taping abilities are allowed at Kenny Chesney Shows.
Then, it was only a matter of time that Kenny Chesney himself would take a concert goer's camera. In Foxborough, Chesney fan Susan Mazar experienced first hand just that recently. According to her, Chesney grabbed her camera as she was taking photos and threw the camera on stage. She was able to retrieve the camera, but she did not get her memory card that had concert photos and family vacation photos on it. If she was indeed recording, then one must ask why did security allow her in the facilities with a camera with video taping abilities and why did they not handle the situation.
After these instances, this begs the question as to why would someone not want bigger exposure of their performances? Most fans enjoy viewing footage on websites, such as Youtube of concert footage if they are unable to attend a show. It can also help make the decision on whether they want to spend their hard earned cash on a concert ticket of a performer. Photos also provide memories of the experience no matter what level seat you are on.
When artists start out in their career, they want as much exposure as possible - whether that be photos or videos. They want people to spread the word and hopefully buy their record. However, once they "made it", it seems as though they shut out that connection with the fans and bite the hand that feeds you. It has been an ongoing battle, especially when fans are paying on average $60+ per concert ticket, as well as gas money, food/drinks, and sometimes hotel for long distance. Is it too much to ask to allow them to have cameras to record that moment in time?
In the long run, who is there to capture those memories out on the road when a performer no longer allows them? When walking through a museum exhibit or archives of a performer's lifetime of musical experience, a lot of those photos were taken by a fan. They were there at the right time capturing a moment that is etched in memory. What will be left besides an empty canvas if an artist doesn't want that memory relived?
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Comments
Security at Foxboro is notoriously poor. Even with the best security available, cameras would have to be banned outright in order to eliminate all that were capable of videotaping - to say nothing of every single cell phone.
When an artist is under contract and several different entities own various and sundry pieces of the pie, not to mention any video footage rights, the artist is well within their rights to eliminate unauthorized videos. If concert-goers would respect these wishes, this problem wouldn't exist.
Ultimately, only the woman whose camera was taken knows whether or not she was videotaping, but you can be sure that Kenny has plenty of experience spotting that kind of behavior from the stage. My money is on Kenny.
I agree 100% with Jack. Very well said!
Get over yourself Kenny. I'm a concert-going fan-I've seen Kenny 3 times, twice this summer. But no more. I love taking pictures/videos/whatever for the memories. A Kenny concert will run you at least $100 a ticket--money I work hard for and could spend to see someone else. At least my favorite artists aren't being like Kenny with pictures and videos. I would've been shocked and furious if I was the girl that he did this to. MOST country artist adore their fans as much as the fans adore them. Kenny, obviously doesn't; and thats very very sad. This may stay on the down-low, but if word gets out about this incident, Kenny will lose fans. I'm one of them.
Get over yourself Kenny. I'm a concert-going fan-I've seen Kenny 3 times, twice this summer. But no more. I love taking pictures/videos/whatever for the memories. A Kenny concert will run you at least $100 a ticket--money I work hard for and could spend to see someone else. At least my favorite artists aren't being like Kenny with pictures and videos. I would've been shocked and furious if I was the girl that he did this to. MOST country artist adore their fans as much as the fans adore them. Kenny, obviously doesn't; and thats very very sad. This may stay on the down-low, but if word gets out about this incident, Kenny will lose fans. I'm one of them.
Get over it if the ticket says no videotaping than don't videotape. It is up to Kenny what he wants to allow or not allow and if you can't follow that than you have to realize you are taking a chance of being called on it. Grow up and get over it. Kenny has been great to his fans over the years and if he wants no unauthorized video I can live with that if you can't than don't go to the concerts.
Kenny has been one of the best artisits out there and does everything he can to make his fans enjoy his concerts for the cost of each ticket. I think we can follow his wishes to not videotape the concert. Keep up the great work Kenny!!!!
I went to see Kenny in Columbus OH this year and he basically stopped singing on 2 different occasions and pointed at people videotaping. The only way to fix this problems with the setups of cameras today is to have a NO CAMERAS policy. I know lots of people like to take pictures, but I would rather see a happy Kenny in concert than a mad Kenny like he was in Columbus. He saw the videotaping early and to me, he never seemed to get over it and move on. Really put a damper on the concert in my opinion. I'm there to live in the moment, I have never been a person to take pictures at concerts, or even at meet and greets, I just count on my memory I guess. Kenny concerts are expensive, I spent around $1000 this summer after all was said and done, but it was worth it. And I don't have ONE picture to prove it! I hope he does a NO CAMERAS policy for 2010, it makes for a happier Kenny!
JACK IS RIGHT! Enough said!!
Just about everybody has a cell phone these days and the phones are designed to do everything. You can't possibly expect everyone at a concert to leave their phones in their cars because the phones have the capability to take pictures and record audio and video. Kenny is tops in concert attendance and money earned from touring. He's not losing anything by folks taking pictures and/or video. By instituting this ban, though, and even enforcing it himself, he will start to lose concertgoers. It costs too much to attend a concert to not allow any photos or video to be taken. Most people want a memento of what a great time they had. They'll still buy the t-shirts and other baubles, even if they do have video and audio. As for the contracts with different sponsors, etc. involved.....the more video and photos they allow, the more their logos / message is seen. Lighten up and embrace new technology. Look how it's aided in Taylor Swift's success!
I was there at the Foxboro concert and that girl was taking VIDEO of Kenny, she did not just take photos, no matter what she says - the red light was "on" signifying her video recorder was working. Kenny hates video and we all know it and as a fan club member of his, I honor his wises. I will gladly turn in anyone taking video or someone who has a lense on their camera that is removeable, as that is a "no no" also. Just honor Kenny's wishes and everyone will be happy. I love taking photos of Kenny and would not be very happy if I could not do so in 2010.
i know you are not supposed to hate anyone but i HATE kenny chesney wish he would fall of the face of the earth he is totally gay and ugly hey maybe that is why he doesn't want people taking pictures of him keith urban is way better and you kenny fans know it
Entertainers and security guards are not police officers and do not have any law enforcement authority. Their only recourse is to ask an unwanted guest to leave or have them arrested for trespassing if they do not. The unwarranted confiscation and destruction of somebody elses property including memory cards is probably theft. This lady should really turn the matter over to a lawyer.
I don't blame Kenny for what he did to that girl! Kenny caught her breaking the rules and he made sure that she did not get away with it. How does that make him the bad person?
God bless you and Kenny always!!!
Holly in East Tennessee
They can check your memory card backstage. A few years ago I was taking photos and was following Kenny with my camera to try and get a good shot. One of his crew came and asked me if they could check my card. I told him sure and gave him my card. He checked it and saw no video so he gave it back. He told me thanks and enjoy the rest of the show. If they kept her memory card you can be sure the was video of the show on it. I saw her camera in the news clip and it was a video camera. I think she should consider herself lucky she got the camera back.
Kenny has talked about taking a year off. Sounds like a real good idea Kenny. Looks like you need it. Heck years are short...take 2.
I saw a picture of the camera and it was a video camera with the capability of taking still photos. Kenny has always stated that still pictures were allowed but not video. I think people need to respect that and not take video. He has plenty of videos out that shows concert footage of Kenny. Fans should be satisfied with that and just take still photos for memories. As one post stated above Kenny's people check the card and if there is video you don't get the memory card back. She is lucky to get her camera back.
And to the Keith Urban fan above, you just hate Kenny because he outsells Keith in all ways. Kenny is an amazing artist and the proof is in his ticket sales for the last 6 years, plus his songs that have gone to #1 on the charts.
I'll be going to Kenny's shows for as long as he tours. I'll travel a 1000 miles to get to a show if I have to. I respect his wishes and would never think to shoot video, even though my camera could do it. It's not an option.
Most other people have security to hassle the fans while the artist puts on the show. Maybe he should become a bouncer (after he learns the legalities of course). An IR jammer would disable videotaping if that bothers him so much, then he could concentrate on doing his job.
AS someone that was there working security, i witnessed this entire event as it happened right near me.
Don't fault the security for allowing a camera in. Honestly security has more pressing issues than controlling cameras or those with recording capability. also.. Kenny WAS recording a DVD of this show, for release to be later this year? who knows. So.. what good does releasing a DVD if you, with a Video Camera <how is he supposed to know your not video taping the show?> releases the entire concert filmed 3 feet from the stage? If your going to go to a concert like this, with a questionable camera, then do so form a distance. If you were 10 feet from the stage, your camera probably never would have been noticed, and you would still have your precious vacation pictures. I saw the woman after the show whining about the camera. I am unsure, But the ticket probably said no video. So maybe they should have thought about a different camera, that did not have video capability.
I might also add, that they probably viewed what was on her memory card before keeping it with her camera. If it was only pictures, my guess is that the camera and memory card would have been returned. However since the card was kept, my guess is that the woman was caught lying to both the security at the stadium and to her touring personnel, and this was their way of punishing her.
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