Oliver Anthony, Don’t Work With This Guy, Kirt Webster
Today, October 17th is the day that a concert film called Still Playin’ Possum: Music & Memories of George Jones will be showing in select theaters in a one-day event. Filmed on April 25th in Huntsville, Alabama at the Von Bruan Center, the film celebrates the life of George Jones 10 years after his passing. It features performances from Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Tanya Tucker, Jelly Roll, and others.
But there’s one hitch that fans of George Jones and country music should know about this film that the numerous media outlets rebroadcasting the press release are overlooking. The film—just like the concert—was produced by accused rapist and sexual predator Kirt Webster, who is also currently managing the George Jones estate as reported by Saving Country Music back in May.
Kirt Webster is the former President and CEO of the once major country music publicity firm Webster Public Relations. On October 27th, 2017, a country artist by the name of Austin Rick, who performed under the name Austin Cody in the late ’00s, enumerated numerous instances where he said Kirt Webster sexually assaulted him, in part with promises that he could help further Rick’s career if the young performer complied. Webster allegedly bribed and intimidated Rick to keep the behavior quiet.
At that time, Webster Public Relations and Kirt Webster represented a large stable of artists, including legends like Dolly Parton, Hank Williams Jr., Kenny Rogers, and Tanya Tucker, more contemporary artists such as Justin Moore and William Michael Morgan, and artists outside of country music such as Cyndi Lauper and Kid Rock. Beyond the publicity work, Kirt Webster was also a significant power player in Nashville in other roles.
The accusations from Austin Rick were significant, but they were just the very beginning of a wave of accusations that emerged in the coming days and weeks. A second young male singer came forward, as did nearly two dozen employees and other associates of Webster Public Relations, speaking to both The Nashville Scene and Buzzfeed about the toxic environment working for Kirt Webster at Webster Public Relations. Many spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of retribution from the powerful publicist.
Employees said they were asked inappropriate sexual questions by Kirt Webster, that pornography was played in the work environment, and that sexual favors were requested from Webster in exchange for favors within the industry, among other disturbing allegations. Amid the scandal, high-profile Webster artists began to leave the firm including Dolly Parton and Kid Rock. Then on November 1st, 2017 as the allegations continued to pile up, Webster Public Relations closed.
Metro Nashville Police investigated the allegations against Kirt Webster from Austin Rick, and released a report on December 21st, 2017 that showed there was enough evidence to prosecute Kirt Webster for sexual assault. But since the alleged occurrences happened in 2008 (9 years previous), it was too late to bring charges due to the statute of limitations.
Despite the litany of allegations and all of the negative press coverage for Kirt Webster, he continues to be entrenched in the country music industry via shadow hand management of the publicity company 2911 Media, and the management company Spinning Plates where he often works through intermediaries. Saving Country Music exposed this by interviewing previous employees who also verified that the abuse of Kirt Webster is ongoing.
One of the numerous ways Kirt Webster has attempted to launder his reputation is by naming himself as the producer for numerous television specials and movies for clients he manages such as Lee Greenwood, Don McLean, and the George Jones Estate. Another way is by taking pictures with important artists.
On September 17th, viral “Rich Men North of Richmond” artist Oliver Anthony made his debut appearance in Nashville as part of the annual Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge Birthday Bash on Lower Broadway. It’s extremely unlikely that Oliver Anthony had any idea who Kirt Webster was when the disgraced publicist walked up to him and asked for a photo. But Webster has a way of working his way into the inner circle of artists and unlocking opportunities for them, and thus earning their loyalty.
There is no indication that Oliver Anthony is currently working with Kirt Webster or any of his intermediaries. At this point, it appears to be just a photo. But if there was anyone that Oliver Anthony would need to categorically avoid in the music business, it would be Kirt Webster.
Along with managing the George Jones estate, Lee Greenwood, and Don McLean, Kirt Webster also represents the Charley Pride estate, the BJ Thomas estate, and other high profile estates and clients.
– – – – – – – – – –
If you’re a victim of abuse at the hands of Kirt Webster or have further information about his behavior, please reach out to Saving Country Music.
October 17, 2023 @ 11:33 am
Thanks for staying informed and keeping us informed, Trigger.
October 17, 2023 @ 11:58 am
lol. from what I understand, Oliver is a smart dude. does his research. won’t happen. no one in the business with a respected reputation will touch Webster with a ten foot pole these days. they don’t want to look guilty by association. which is why he tries to grab onto older acts. he either pulls the wool over their eyes, or they’re just desperate. and it works for him in some cases. but his days of working with A or even B list artists are long gone. that’s what happens when you’re a horrible person. and the internet never wipes clean. karma sucks, don’t it big boy!!!
October 17, 2023 @ 12:01 pm
Eh, he screwed over a venue by cancelling because tickets were too expensive. He didn’t do his research there, and trusted the wrong person.
October 17, 2023 @ 12:36 pm
Tootsies is a client of 2911 Media and they were handling press for this event that Oliver Anthony and others performed at, further proving that Webster is very much present/involved with what 2911 Media does. As always, great continued coverage of this matter.
October 18, 2023 @ 10:30 am
Nailed it. So basically, any act on the 2911 roster is associated with Webster. That’s public knowledge at this point. Which hurts each and every one of them, whether they want to acknowledge it or not. Lots of the major industry players won’t play ball with them on that premise alone. But you can’t fix stupid.
October 17, 2023 @ 12:40 pm
Gosh. People. Don’t even take a photo with this guy. Very bad PR!
October 17, 2023 @ 1:00 pm
Only in the Nashville music industry is this fucking jackass still functioning a business.
October 17, 2023 @ 1:13 pm
Trig,
This is definitely a topic you need to take a podcast episode up on. The fact that he is still out there in a desperate state is concerning and likely to perpetuate more victims.
October 17, 2023 @ 3:22 pm
Yes, will probably have an in-depth podcast on all of this at some point.
October 18, 2023 @ 10:50 am
If you do, please go into more detail on the other “high profile estates and clients” and 2911 Media
October 25, 2023 @ 10:12 am
When is this is going to happen? Seems like an opportunity for many of the actual victims to come forward and speak up and out. Maybe someone in law enforcement as to why or how he has not yet been investigated.
October 25, 2023 @ 10:22 am
The allegations by Austin Rick were investigated by the Metro Nashville Police Department and were found to be credible. However, due to the statute of limitations, charges could not be brought.
October 17, 2023 @ 1:19 pm
Hey Trigger, off topic but I’m trying to use the contact form and the name and email fields are locked. I looked at the page source and they’re marked as read only.
October 17, 2023 @ 1:24 pm
Hey Scotty,
I just tested it and it seems to be working fine, but I’ll look deeper into it.
If you need to send me something, feel free to reach out to trigger at savingcountrymusic dot com.
October 17, 2023 @ 1:53 pm
You’re doing the lord’s work.
October 17, 2023 @ 6:43 pm
The world will slowly put the puzzle together. Organically became a household name overnight. The answers are in plain site.
October 18, 2023 @ 10:16 am
???????
October 17, 2023 @ 7:41 pm
Thanks, Trigger, for bringing up this topic, obviously an important one. I also thank Austin Rick for having the courage to speak up. Women’s sexual abuse experience is brought up frequently, but men’s are not, in part because of people’s conclusions when men or boys are abused. If it’s a man who abuses you, people assume you are gay, and if it’s by a woman, it is discounted as the male hitting the jackpot.
October 18, 2023 @ 4:55 am
He should just work with that guy who turned Lil Nas X and Zach Bryan into superstars. No brainer. Sounds like he’s the go to guy if you’re “viral.”
October 18, 2023 @ 6:35 am
Allegations are not convictions.
October 18, 2023 @ 9:49 am
What a completely ignorant comment. Allegations from more than 20 people carry significance and deserve to be acknowledged. Please keep in mind that for convictions to happen, allegations must be made. In this case, PLENTY of credible allegations have been brought forth all alleging the same behaviors and experiences.
AND we’ve seen over the years how the US Justice system is NOT a perfect institution, and sometimes allows these predators to continue to operate for many years. Harvey Weinstein. R. Kelly. Jefferey Epstein.
Please take your “allegations are not convictions” comment and shove them directly up your ignorant ass…this is foundational reason why these predators are allowed to operate.
October 18, 2023 @ 11:29 am
Allegations and convictions seem to be the norm these days but people dont seem to care. At one point in history a persons reputation and moral character meant something. All genres have these type of people.
The music business seems no different than any other corporation or government that knowingly hires, elects or otherwise do business with know scumbags.
October 18, 2023 @ 7:33 am
So is Nancy Jones and the Spinning Plates Records which she also owns in some way involved knowingly?
October 18, 2023 @ 12:55 pm
I am not sure about Spinning Plates Records. I will have to look into that. But Nancy Jones definitely knows that she is working with Kirt Webster, and she is working with Kirt directly as opposed to an intermediary. We know this because during the press conference announcing the “Playin’ Possum” concert, she thanked Kirt Webster by name. That is where I first figured out that Webster had re-emerged after all of the controversy in 2017-2018. Kirt is also named as a producer of the film of the concert.
October 19, 2023 @ 11:20 am
Nancy Jones does not own spinning plate nor does Webster manage the George Jones estate. Not sure where you bozos are getting your information. I would stop spreading lies before you find yourself in a lawsuit buddy.
October 19, 2023 @ 1:14 pm
The George Jones State is a client of 2911 Media – the company handles PR and marketing campaigns that the estate pays them to do. Ex: The George Jones tribute show that was mentioned, and most recently 2911 Media handled the press (coordinated interviews, sent press releases, etc.) for Nancy Jones’ new book.
October 19, 2023 @ 6:28 am
“If you’re a victim of abuse at the hands of Kirt Webster or have further information about his behavior, please reach out to Saving Country Music.”
Please, if you’re reaching out to anyone regarding this matter, make it the authorities handling the case FIRST.
October 19, 2023 @ 7:26 am
Of course. But unfortunately, the “authorities” have not been handling this situation. The press has dropped the ball as well. This should not be something handled by a music blog based in Austin. But here we are.
October 19, 2023 @ 1:07 pm
Too bad this Webster POS isn’t behind bars ( for decades) as he deserves. Jolly Ollie and every else in Nashville should avoid this chap like the plague.
October 22, 2023 @ 9:15 am
I appreciate Trigger’s Kirt Webster work, but if I never hear about Oliver Anthony again it will be too soon.
October 23, 2023 @ 1:38 am
I feel
A) I don’t really give a crud about the George Jones estate working with a possible sex criminal (I’ve written here before about my own experiences with sexual assault…don’t know how exactly how to explain this contradiction other than…
B) This is about Ollie Somewhere Around Richmond and yet at the same time not really about him or anything else at all
October 23, 2023 @ 8:03 am
There are 330 comments on Facebook under this article, and the majority of them are simply a visceral reaction to seeing the name “Oliver Anthony,” and have nothing to do with this article at all.
You don’t take issue that a guy who has been accused by multiple people of literal rape, and dozens of others of inappropriate sexual misconduct is working with the estate of a Mt. Rushmore-level country legend?
To me, this speaks to the “I can’t think rationally whenever I see the name ‘Oliver Anthony'” depravity has gone.
October 26, 2023 @ 5:40 pm
Trig,
First off, I can understand why the first part of my response would come off as flippant at best, so let me explain myself a bit: sometimes people who do horrible things have friends who stick by them and maybe give them gigs. Maybe they also do this in part because of their say Christian beliefs in redemption and forgiveness and “judge not lest ye be judged”. If either or both of those things is the case, I’m fine with that. It would probably be different if this man was on the board of the CMHOF, etc.
As to my second point, this post came off as basically clickbait to me (I’m not saying it is clickbait but appearances matter); since you seem to genuinely care about this story, I’d recommend not writing a post that so blatantly comes off as clickbait if you want other people to also genuinely care about the thing you care about.
March 26, 2024 @ 11:06 pm
“Surviving Possession: Inside Kirt Webster’s Twisted Toy Chest” will be released soon, and it will not take any prisoners.