Midland Apologizes For Doctored Photo, Pays Business Owner
To some it was much ado about nothing. But to many in Austin, TX, the Midland trio conducted a grave offense when a photo featuring the band ended up in a recent Washington Post feature with the sign of the legendary Sam’s BBQ in east Austin changed to the name of one of their songs, “Playboys.”
The Washington Post feature was first published on Wednesday, July 15th, and also appeared in the Sunday edition of the Washington Post Magazine. The photo was taken by Harper Smith, who is the wife of Midland bass player Cameron Duddy. According to The Washington Post who offered a correction and changed the photo on July 21st, it was supplied by the band’s label, Big Machine Records.
Sam’s BBQ is an iconic, locally and black-owned business integral to the east Austin community. First established in 1957, the owners were offered $5 million in 2018 to sell the property to condominium developers, but refused if nearby residents promised to continue to support the business. For many, Sam’s BBQ is a symbol of resistance to the rabid gentrification overtaking the area. That’s why the changing of the sign was seen as so offensive, with many taking to social media to criticize the doctored image, and outlets like Texas Monthly, Austin360, and others posting stories about the issue.
Now Midland has addressed the altered photo in a statement, and has also paid the restaurant owner, Brian Mays, for using the photo, as well giving him a donation that he can use for whatever charity he chooses.
We have reached out to Brian, the owner of Sam’s, and his family to apologize for the editing of their sign in a photo we used. We admire Brian and his family for everything they do and stand for. When we went to Sam’s during our photo shoot, we were honored to shoot at their iconic, locally Black-owned business that has been an Austin institution for over 60 years. We had a wonderful time with Brian and are thankful for the time he spent with us.
We regret the original photograph taken by our photographer was not the version provided to the ‘Washington Post Magazine.’ On Monday we asked — and The Washington Post agreed — to switch to the actual image.
We support local businesses. We believe in families working together. We understand the importance of protecting and supporting minority entrepreneurship in our communities. As a band we have had six children born in Austin and we want nothing more than to see this city thrive and its culture protected.
To that end, we’re sending Brian the money he has requested and we’re also sending him another amount to make a charitable contribution to whomever he and the Sam’s family thinks will most benefit our community.
The statement from Midland corroborates what The Washington Post said in their correction, which is that the photo was not provided by the band, but by Big Machine Records. By stating, “…the original photograph taken by our photographer was not the version provided to the ‘Washington Post Magazine,'” it appears that it was someone at Big Machine Records who chose to photoshop “Playboys” over “Sam’s BBQ.”
“I didn’t give them permission to do what they did,” Sam’s BBQ owner Brian Mays told Saving Country Music. “They changed the sign on the computer. They had no business doing that. They didn’t play, they never paid me to do nothing, they just wanted to take pictures. It would have been alright, but they changed the sign, and I know they’re making money with it.”
Big Machine Records has not addressed the matter.
wayne
July 24, 2020 @ 10:16 am
A decent response. Nothing further needs to be done.
Move on.
Jake Cutter
July 24, 2020 @ 10:43 am
Have the villains of the interloping tribe “Other” sufficiently bent the knee to our heroes of tribe “Real & Local?” Or is this hard fought victory merely a battle in a wider theatre? Tune in to the next installment of “The Authenticity Wars!” (Action figures sold separately).
Trigger
July 24, 2020 @ 12:43 pm
Short answer in “no.” Good on Midland for being stand up and making it right, but according to now both Midland and The Washington Post, it’s Big Machine who made the mistake here. They owe an apology to Sam’s, Midland, and The Washington Post.
Jake Cutter
July 24, 2020 @ 1:05 pm
I was hoping we’d get to hear the narratives of phony vs. real, black vs. white, and local vs. outsider spelled out for us, at the very least, one more time. I have a feeling Episode III is gonna save the franchise.
DJ
July 24, 2020 @ 1:46 pm
Spell it out for yourself- or do you need it done for you so you’ll know who to be officially outraged at
Jake Cutter
July 24, 2020 @ 1:50 pm
Yes, I need it one more time, officially.
T-grondo
July 24, 2020 @ 3:03 pm
Jake Cutter…
I can understand why the guy who owns the BBQ joint would be upset. He’s not getting free advertising….they’ve photo shopped the name of his restaurant out of the pic.
In the Wapo Mag article they include a Twitter post with the same pic that reads something like….”Here we are, standing in front of some greasy spoon….”
The BBQ guy loses both ways….
But, I don’t know why the band should be blamed for the gentrification of Austin. From what I’ve read, Austin is becoming an IT/software business hub….so blame the computer nerds…(just kidding)
Jake Cutter
July 24, 2020 @ 3:19 pm
I agree and understand about the picture, to a degree. There’s a difference between that and dramatically sensationalizing the story based on class, race and authenticity – in order to strengthen your argument and further belittle members of an out-group.
Dee Manning
July 25, 2020 @ 6:48 am
I’ve only been to Austin once for SXSW but it seemed like a good mix of gentrified but also keeping the local flavor going. These days a city should be happy it has IT business cause those can keep going forever with everybody working from home. Like we are going to have to do cause America us not flattening the damn curve.
The punchline is, one band is not going to change anything, though shame on their record company for not giving a legendary local business a signal boost …
Cool Lester Smooth
July 25, 2020 @ 10:39 am
Hah, seriously – blame Indeed, not Midland.
King Honky Of Crackershire
July 25, 2020 @ 2:53 pm
T-grondo,
Was the owner of the restaurant upset, or was it just the pasty-white Lilly Millies™️ that were upset?
If it was the latter, then this penance by Midland is significantly more stupid than it would’ve been otherwise.
T-grondo
July 25, 2020 @ 6:49 pm
King Honky Of Crackershire…
The BBQ guy’s attitude was…”You can use the pic, but if you’re gonna change the name of my restaurant…make it worth my while..!”
(I can’t blame him for that…)
There was a piece in Texas Monthly that said the locals were upset for reasons of class/race/gentrification/authenticity…ect,ect,blah,blah,blah.
Of course, they expressed their outrage with Twitter and FB rants…..
It sounds like Midland paid the BBQ guy….I’m not sure if that was enough for the social media mob…???
Colter
July 24, 2020 @ 11:31 am
Their music may be good but I can’t listen to anybody who dresses like that.
Cool Lester Smooth
July 24, 2020 @ 11:38 am
Man, wait till you find out how guys like Chris Stapleton and Charley Crockett dress!
Colter
July 24, 2020 @ 11:42 am
I know how they dress and it ain’t nearly as bad as these clowns.
Cool Lester Smooth
July 24, 2020 @ 1:17 pm
I mean, I love Aaron Lee Tasjan enough that I don’t judge anyone on how they dress for a gig…but I’ve met Charley, and the only difference between his outfit and the guy in the center’s is Charley’s bolo tie.
Sturgiil_Jennings
July 24, 2020 @ 12:31 pm
I don’t recall Chris ever wearing pants pulled up to his tits with his nuts parted down the middle bulging through
Jake Cutter
July 24, 2020 @ 1:49 pm
That’s a bulge?
T-grondo
July 24, 2020 @ 2:18 pm
Sturgiil_Jennings
“pants pulled up to his tits with his nuts parted down the middle bulging through”
That’s the “70’s Glam Rock Album Cover” pose…..
Jake Cutter
July 24, 2020 @ 2:42 pm
The Honky Tonk Man does not approve of this message.
Marc
July 24, 2020 @ 2:41 pm
Sturgiil_Jennings-“pants pulled up to his tits with his nuts parted down the middle bulging through”
Anyone who reads the commment-Quietly scrolls back to the picture for verification.
Di Harris
July 24, 2020 @ 2:52 pm
Guilty …
King Honky Of Crackershire
July 25, 2020 @ 2:58 pm
I’m not just going to type LOL or haha, to represent laughter that I didn’t literally experience.
I’m going to tell you that I straight up laughed at this comment. “parted down the middle”, hilarious dude.
The Duke
July 24, 2020 @ 5:36 pm
Yep. The trying too hard award goes to…
These guys are way phony all around.
Cool Lester Smooth
July 24, 2020 @ 11:43 am
So…it was a mixup caused by Big Machine’s marketing people not realizing what Sam’s was, and editing the photo before sending it on to the Post?
Entirely believable…but what will we get to be OUTRAAAAAAGED about???
Jake Cutter
July 24, 2020 @ 11:54 am
Fail! That way of thinking doesn’t cut the sanctimonious mustard. Neither one of them was an underwear model or actor. Charley and Chris are tribe “Real” 4 life. You can even find pictures of them making the hand sign on the internet. Nice try though.
Jake Cutter
July 24, 2020 @ 11:56 am
That one was for thoughtcrime peddler CLS.
Cool Lester Smooth
July 24, 2020 @ 5:20 pm
Bahaha
DJ
July 24, 2020 @ 1:48 pm
Empty Suit decision at a record company- imagine that. Marketing people being paid to make people see what ain’t there to help dumb down society- and wapo (a part of why the media is so looked down on) involved- SMH-
Blackh4t
July 24, 2020 @ 2:16 pm
They need to play a few free gigs there before i think they wiped the slate clean.
But so far, class act in their response.
Jimmy
July 24, 2020 @ 2:32 pm
So now you have to be from a certain location to be authentically part of a scene? Good thing Dwight Yoakam was born in L.A. or he could have never been a part of the cow-punk-hillbilly-tonk scene. Oh, wait… Well, at least he was born in Bakersfield, so it’s okay he appropriated that sound, as well. Wait again…
This truly was “much ado about nothing.” There’s enough fake outrage going around, no need to create more.
Trigger
July 24, 2020 @ 3:16 pm
“So now you have to be from a certain location to be authentically part of a scene?”
I haven’t seen anyone say that. Nor have I seen anyone call for the cancellation of Midland, or act like this incident is some sort of existential threat to anything. I completely agree too much can be made about it. But who I am seeing making too much of it is people taking a very reactionary stance to this, sensing it is just another overreach of cancel culture, as opposed to a band that has a long, repeated history of lying about their backstory getting swept up in yet another controversy.
There is a huge difference between Dwight Yoakam moving to southern California when he was dirt poor, trying to make it in music, and Cameron Duddy, who was a literal millionaire, moving to the most affluent part of Austin, buying a million-dollar horse farm, telling his buddy who was an actor on a soap opera and underwear model to move to Austin as well, and then turn around and lie to everyone how they’re an authentic, Austin-bred honky tonk band that rose through the ranks playing dive bars. Duddy was close friends with Bruno Mars and Jennifer Lopez, and leveraged his industry connections into a record deal. As a journalist, it is my duty to not allow artists or their marketeers to lie to the public. If they had let the music speak for itself, nobody in Austin or elsewhere would have cared. But they lied. See Zephaniah OHora. He’s from Brooklyn. He’s never lied about who he is.
It appears that Midland got a raw deal here. Someone at Big Machine sent a doctored photo to The Washington Post who didn’t vet it properly, and busybodies on Twitter called them racist. Even with little fault, they fell on the sword, and took responsibility. That was a sign of character from these guys, and I commend them for it. I felt this was an important article to write to set the record straight. In my opinion, not writing this update would have been irresponsible to the band.
Cool Lester Smooth
July 24, 2020 @ 5:46 pm
I mean…the above narrative is roughly as likely as the Midland guys having maliciously conspired to whitewash Sam’s out of the photo, as a deliberate insult to Black business owners everywhere.
Duddy “leveraged his industry connections” to get his band into a room with Big Machine decision-makers.
Big Machine liked the sound, wanted to diversify their offerings to preempt the decline of Bro Country, and had Shane McAnally help them translate that sound into a full album’s worth of songs.
Then, Big Machine’s marketing team decided the best narrative to get people to listen to their music, and Midtown said “Sure, whatever you think the best move is. We just want to play our music.”
I’m not even a big Midland guy – they’re a bit too “Classic Country” for me, and I prefer artists with a little more grit and grime to their sound.
But your whole vendetta against them is hipster nonsense, indistinguishable from the people calling Stapleton a phony, because he wrote with Thomas Rhett and had a completely different look in his Steeldrivers days.
Trigger
July 24, 2020 @ 6:00 pm
If I had a “vendetta” against Midland, I wouldn’t have posted an update virtually exonerating them from any wrongdoing in this matter and for being the adults in the room taking responsibility for something that wasn’t their fault. Instead I would have buried it as an update on the original article like the other outlets did, or I wouldn’t have addressed it at all. I also wouldn’t have implored people to get the hell over the controversy around their backstory and focus on the music like I did during their last album review.
I think Midland is important to returning country-sounding songs to country radio. But I can’t in good conscience let them swindle people with their embellished back story, any more than I would allow anyone else to get away with it.
Jake Cutter
July 24, 2020 @ 6:11 pm
“But I can’t in good conscience let them swindle people….“
So these articles are, or are not about this….I’m confused. In one breath they are, in another it’s a story about gentrification, another it’s the massive ream at WAPO, and in another it’s something else. Sometimes we say anyone can play country music, other times we need a legit backstory. It’s all a little too much for my little brain.
Honestly though, did your heart sink a bit when you heard Mark singing on a Moonpies album?
Trigger
July 24, 2020 @ 7:26 pm
“So these articles are, or are not about this….I’m confused.”
At no point in this article did I mention anything about the whole Midland “authenticity” debate, and I did that on purpose. It has been commenters that keep bringing it up. That’s why I have been saying that some people are reading or imprinting things on this story that are not there. This article was published to convey Midland’s apology statement, and establish that it was very likely Big Machine that doctored the image. It was to absolve Midland of blame, and applaud them for stepping up and taking responsibility anyway. If you’re using this article to tee off on me about how much I hate Midland, you’re the one with the biased view.
I did bring up the Midland authenticity stuff in the first article on this subject, but this was in attempt to explain to people who may not be familiar with either the band or Austin why people in Austin were so angry about it. And by the way, this isn’t about “authenticity” per se. It’s about embellishment, and misrepresenting yourself.
I was happy when Mark Wystrach was announced as part of the Gary Stewart record. That can only bring more attention to Gary Stewart and Mike and the Moonpies. And the last thing I had said about Midland before that was that people needed to get over the authenticity debate and focus on the music. Obviously, the sign issue was a distraction from that. And now we know it was an unwarranted one.
Jake Cutter
July 25, 2020 @ 10:51 am
“At no point in this article did I mention anything about the whole Midland “authenticity” debate.”
Ok you left it out of this one, but not only went in to detail in the previous, you linked your takedown article of them, and you’ve brought it up in several comments. Plus, we both know that this is even a story, for the very reason of their questionable authenticity. But fine, by technicality, my comment is wrong.
The thing I’ve noticed is that you sometimes like to drop things into a story and then pretend that they were done innocently and with no greater intention or consequence…even to the point you contradict yourself. For example:
You: Highlighting that Sam’s is a “locally and black-owned business.”
Also you: “This story is not a race issue.”
You highlight a “grave offense” done by 3 white guys and explicitly point out the race of the person “offended.” Spin that behind any technicality you want, we both know what consequences that can have for people in the current aftermath. Casually dropping such a charged issue into a story and then claiming it’s not about that issue, might be like Popular Mechanics technically saying “don’t tear down statues” as they publish EXACT directions of how to do it. Slick move. You also say you’re not calling for them to be cancelled while at the same time framing a story around the very reason people are being cancelled. But technically you’re right, you didn’t explicitly say it. Again, slick move.
I’m 100% for calling out dumbfuck racists. But in at this moment in time in America, criticizing a band by using a back story of a racial slight, without evidence that it was intentionally based on race, is a dick move. I’ve seen many people make similar arguments of correlation based on bad assumptions, about you. Trigger is a white critic, negatively reviewing a black rapper entering the white country space. Nudge nudge, wink wink….do we even need to technically state it? Finally, the outrage of “grave offense” as backed up by a random Instagram comment…yet another slick move. I won’t comment any further, and no need to reply. Up until a few days ago, I didn’t think you would jump on any of these bandwagons, and I guess I’m just surprised to see you do it. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe it’s just my impression. Looking forward to your Lori review.
Cool Lester Smooth
July 27, 2020 @ 2:36 pm
It’s worth noting that it looks like they’ve pretty firmly left the “Grinding honkytonkers who hit it big” narrative behind – the WaPo article talks quite a bit about their actual backstory (a few friends with different backgrounds start a band, spend a couple years developing their sound, then get in with Big Machine and blow up), specifically referring to Wystrach’s having been an underwear model and Duddy a music video director.
It’s interesting to see them speak so candidly about their process – Wystrach and Duddy very much view this as a job, and one they want to be great at, rather than a true calling, and they’re very, very open about their influences.
Natty Bumpo
July 29, 2020 @ 4:11 am
There is something that comes across superficial about Midland but I can’t really classify it. It’s weird. However, their music is still actually very good compared to 85% or more of the crap called music out there today be it country or anything else. The band is a paradox I guess in some ways but I can’t help liking their sound and even their style being tacky is still refreshing in some odd way. I’ve never known what to make of this band but they are one of the few artists out there that I actually feel comfortable paying for their music and as long as it’s good will continue to do so. Their apology was genuine without kneeling down to cancel culture or licking anyone’s boots. Not bad for a fake band.
Diamond Girl
July 30, 2020 @ 5:35 pm
Big machine made this whole mess and bad publicity for the band Midland. They are a great band and create much needed fun country music. Their live shows are reallygood, yes they are from different areas, but they played in bars and honkytonks in TX and built up a great following before the first record deal. The main singer is an authentic cowboy as well as the othercredits mentioned, model actor etc…it does not matter that they were successful before creating the band, good music is good music!!!
Hey Arnold
July 24, 2020 @ 8:09 pm
Can we please discuss the masterpiece that is “Happy Anywhere” from Blake and Gwen ?!!!! Literally sounds like a song featured in a Minions movie
Dee Manning
July 25, 2020 @ 11:12 am
If you haven’t noticed 2020 is the ultimate dumpster fire with almost 150,000 Americans dead of covid with no end in sight because idiots won’t wear masks, thousands more about to be homeless, the economy is tanking and the best thing that has happened this month is veterans, moms, dads and grandparents guarding Portland protesters against the evil cheeto’s gestapo troops.
So ya think maybe people would enjoy a sweet traditional sounding song with the message of, everything is ok because we have each other? Being that it’s #1 on iTunes all genre beating out Taylor Swift, I would guess yes. Geez.
Matt F.
July 26, 2020 @ 1:12 pm
But her emails
CountryKnight
July 27, 2020 @ 1:08 pm
150,000 dead?
Well, someone believes fake news. They are counting pretty much everything as a COVID death. All because of the agenda to remove a lawfully elected president because one blue side can’t accept that elections have consequences. (You see, elections only have consequences when their side wins.)
The economy is only tanking because it was deliberately wrecked in order to elect a dementia patient.
Portland protesters? Nay, Portland rioters.
Trigger
July 27, 2020 @ 1:31 pm
Let’s please not veer so far into politics here. This is already a contentious enough subject. Thanks!
Dee Manning
July 27, 2020 @ 10:28 pm
Will do. P.s. Happy Anywhere is still #1 on all genre iTunes chart….
Spoony
July 25, 2020 @ 12:05 am
Brian requested money for a picture taken in the public space. Okay.
Trigger
July 25, 2020 @ 10:50 am
What Brian Mays said to me when I spoke to him is that people take pictures in front of his establishment all the time and he didn’t want or expect any money. It’s when they changed the sign that he took offense. It was more about the principle than the money. Remember, this is a guy that turned down $5 MILLION DOLLARS to sell his property and never work a day again in his life, and turned it down to continue to slave over hot ovens.
I wholeheartedly understand how people on the outside looking into this issue think this story is much ado about nothing. If I was in that position, I would likely feel the same. But it’s different when you have an emotional connection to the people and places involved.
Midland was under no obligation to pay Brian Mays. It wasn’t even their fault the sign got changed. But they did anyway. That’s stand up.
Wuk
July 25, 2020 @ 2:49 am
I just don’t see what the fuss is about. Sams BBQ gets lots of free free publicity. I had never heard of it before. I will look it up when next in Austin. Shouldn’t they be thanking Midland? Not sure there was anything to really apologise but Midland could do no more than they have. Whatever their story, they play good music and put on a good show.
Sheila warner
July 25, 2020 @ 3:24 pm
Oh my goodness . I admire you guys. I’m sorry this is happening. You make me feel good every day , morning and night . I wake up with your song ( she’s gone. ) which is out of sight ! Along with fever. Gosh I KNOW all the words. For twenty minutes in the AM. And most of my day your in my head
Eric
July 25, 2020 @ 9:20 pm
All great songs. Also, don’t forget “Lonely for You Only”. After I heard the first few seconds of that song, I was pretty much sold on the album. Also, “Nothing New Under the Neon” is one of the best-written (though sad) songs in mainstream country in recent years, in addition to the gorgeous music.
“On the Rocks” is truly a masterpiece of an album, and it is shocking that an album with such amazing music would make it big in today’s country world. I hope that Trigger eventually decides to write a review, now that enough water has passed under the bridge.
Eric
July 25, 2020 @ 9:12 pm
Very happy about Midland’s actions here. I suspected that someone at Big Machine did this, and this provides the confirmation.
Now, back to enjoying Midland’s beautiful musical output…
Felipe
July 26, 2020 @ 1:50 pm
As if the sign was the only fake thing in the picture lol
CountryKnight
July 27, 2020 @ 1:09 pm
Well, the owner whined and he got what he wanted: moolah
Tired of America appeasing crybabies.