by: Bee Delores
Last Updated: June 4, 2024
7 min read
7 min read
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Morgan Wallen became a country music star with his album “One Thing at a Time,” which topped the charts.
He planned to open a bar called “This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen” in Nashville, but the Nashville Metro Council rejected his request for a sign.
This decision has caused a lot of discussion. People are talking about the benefits of more business, the need to keep Nashville’s image friendly and welcoming, and whether Wallen should be forgiven for past mistakes.
The council’s choice shows the balance between making money, keeping the city’s good name, and the importance of second chances.
Wallen’s story highlights the challenges famous people face in the public eye. But what was the reason behind this decision? Let’s explore it all in detail!
Morgan Wallen’s journey hasn’t been without its bumps. In 2021, a video surfaced showing him using a racial slur.
The incident sparked immediate outrage. The public backlash was swift and fierce, with fans expressing disappointment and condemnation.
Media Companies like CMT and Award shows like the ACM Awards removed his nominations, and his record label suspended him indefinitely.
After learning of Morgan Wallen’s racial slur late last night, we are in the process of removing his appearances from all our platforms. We do not tolerate or condone words and actions that are in direct opposition to our core values that celebrate diversity, equity & inclusion.
— CMT (@CMT) February 3, 2021
Wallen himself issued a tearful apology video, acknowledging the hurtful nature of his words and taking responsibility for his actions.
However, the controversy’s impact wasn’t limited to public perception. Wallen’s career took a significant hit.
Radio stations stopped playing his music, and he faced financial losses due to canceled performances and endorsements.
This wasn’t the end of the story, though. While some fans remained unforgiving, others rallied behind him, hoping for redemption.
Then, on 7th April 2024, controversy struck again. Wallen was arrested for allegedly throwing a chair off the rooftop of a Nashville bar, landing near police officers. This incident added another layer of complexity to the public’s perception.
#BREAKING If you look closely you will be able to see the chair that Morgan Wallen throw off the Chiefs bar last night. It almost hit 2 police officers – TMZ pic.twitter.com/ZN5gtxUzVt
— Fast News Network (@fastnewsnet) April 9, 2024
The public’s reaction to these controversies has been a mix. Some continue to be outraged by Wallen’s actions, demanding accountability.
Others believe he deserves a second chance, especially considering his apology. There’s also a segment that separates the art from the artist, still enjoying his music while disapproving of his behavior.
Morgan Wallen wanted a big sign for his new bar , “This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen,” to attract fans.
The sign would stand out, helping his bar get noticed in Nashville’s busy streets. Other bars have similar signs, known as “aerial encroachments,” that catch people’s attention.
However, the sign request is about more than just promotion. If the Nashville Metro Council approved it, they might be seen as forgiving Wallen for past mistakes.
This decision would show whether they believe Wallen has truly changed or if they just want to help his business.
Interestingly, the council approved a controversial sign for Kid Rock’s bar before. This makes people wonder if the council’s decisions are fair or based on personal opinions.
The choice of Wallen’s sign is about public image, forgiveness, and balancing business with character.
The Nashville Metro Council meeting about Morgan Wallen’s sign request was very intense. Emotions were high as council members discussed the issue.
On Tuesday, May 21, the council voted to reject plans for Wallen’s 20-foot sign on his six-story bar, which is set to open on Memorial Day weekend.
Only three members voted for the sign, while 30 members voted against it. Four council members did not vote.
While, some members said they rejected the sign because of Wallen’s past controversial actions. Well, all of the members had their fair reasons.
Councilwoman Delishia Porterfield said:
“I don’t want to see a billboard up with the name of a person who is throwing chairs off of balconies and who is saying racial slurs,” she stated firmly.
Her words reflected the outrage many felt at Wallen’s past actions.
In Favor | Opposed | Abstained |
---|---|---|
Jacob Kupin, Jennifer Webb, Jeff Eslick
|
Zulfat Suara, Delishia Porterfield, Quin Evans-Segall, Burkley Allen, Olivia Hill, Joy Smith Kimbrough, Jennifer Gamble, Clay Capp, Emily Benedict, Deonte Harrell, Erin Evans, Russ Bradford, Jordan Huffman, Terry Vo, Tom Cash, Rollin Horton, Brandon Taylor, Sheri Weiner, Thom Druffel, Brenda Gadd, Jeff Preptit, Bob Nash, David Benton, Tasha Ellis, Sandra Sepulveda, John Rutherford, Joy Styles, Antoinette Lee, Sandy Ewing, Jason Spain | Kyonzte Toombs, Mike Cortese, Jeff Gregg, Courtney Johnston |
Councilmember Jacob Kupin, who brought up the proposal, understood the difficulty.
He didn’t excuse Wallen’s behavior but praised TC Restaurant Group, the operator, for helping downtown safety. Kupin argued, “Having someone’s name on a bar doesn’t mean we agree with all their actions.”
The council saw the economic potential of Wallen’s bar. It could create jobs and attract tourists. Nashville’s music scene is important, and a bar linked to a famous country star could draw many visitors.
However, the council also valued Nashville’s welcoming and inclusive image. Wallen’s controversies clashed with these values.
By rejecting the sign, they prioritized inclusivity over short-term money gains. They stressed that Wallen needed to do more than just apologize to be fully accepted by the city.
In the end, the council’s decision balanced the economic benefits with the importance of Nashville’s character.
They chose inclusivity over quick financial gain, showing that the city’s values matter most. Some people supported this decision, while some fans disagreed.
Idiot libs on the Nashville City Council denied @MorganWallen 's new Broadway bar a permit to build a large sign with one of them saying that he "doesn't belong in this town."
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) May 23, 2024
King Wallen responded by posting on his Insta story one of the three nights he sold out Nissan Stadium. pic.twitter.com/G7Q2djZQxx
After the sign blow-up, many wonder if Morgan Wallen can be forgiven. He said sorry tons of times, but has he done anything else to make things right?
Some folks think he deserves a second chance, while others say sorry just ain’t enough.
Maybe true forgiveness comes with real change. Did Wallen reach out to the community he hurt? Did he show he’s learned from his mistakes?
The bar itself might still have a future. Maybe they can use a different sign, one that focuses on the music or the yummy food.
After all, the restaurant group running the bar seems like good guys, trying to keep Nashville safe. Only time will tell what happens next!
You can check out below the Council decision video:
Lover of hiking, biking, horror movies, cats and camping. Writer at Wide Open Country, Holler and Nashville Gab.
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