On a court case against a venue in a dispute involving COVID-19 passports, the county music star John Rich took a victory lap on Twitter to celebrate his winning on Thursday.
Some required documentation that an individual had tested negative for the coronavirus to enter, as concert venues began to reopen during the pandemic.
Rich called that a “stupid rule” in a tweet about a venue that had implemented the requirement in 2021.
We’ve learned that the venue very recently was taken over by a different management company and they have this stupid rule in place…for now. Tomorrow we’ll know more. This was NOT part of the deal when we agreed to play there.
— John Rich (@johnrich) October 5, 2021
Rich posted on Twitter on Thursday, without providing any details about the venue or the date in question, that he had stood his ground and won in at least one case.
He wrote, “During the lockdowns, I stated I’d NEVER play a concert venue that forced fans to show their ‘papers’ for entry concerning Covid. One venue added that rule after I agreed to play, so I cancelled it. The promoter sued me. He LOST the case today! Happy to say I never bent the knee.”
During the lockdowns, I stated I’d NEVER play a concert venue that forced fans to show their “papers” for entry concerning Covid. One venue added that rule after I agreed to play, so I cancelled it. The promoter sued me. He LOST the case today! Happy to say I never bent the knee.
— John Rich (@johnrich) January 19, 2023
During lockdowns and vaccination requirements, Rich had firmly stated his opposition to both. Some of his supporters sided with him after that and his triumph tweet, but others dissed him.
Owners of some of America’s largest venues and events are changing the game for concert goers. Effective Oct 1st. Question to the fans: Do you love live music enough to “divulge your medical status” for entry? https://t.co/AGzLtNXbIq
— John Rich (@johnrich) August 12, 2021
Thank you for standing up to tyranny! We are with you!! pic.twitter.com/9lHlDCYPLg
— Jana (@JanaMcadams) January 19, 2023
I won’t be attending any of your concerts anytime soon. With that attitude, the likely attendees are going to be a concentrated group of anti-vaxxers. It sounds like a great place to catch Covid. To other John Rich fans: if you’re smart, you will stay away too.
— JulieSchendel (@JulieSchendel) January 19, 2023
Thank you for sticking to your principles. Stands like this are few and far between with high profile people who have a lot to lose.
— Scott Morefield (@SKMorefield) January 19, 2023
Rich criticized musicians who sacked people because of their personal medical preferences last year. In February 2022, he tweeted, “Recorded with an A list player today who was FIRED from one of the biggest artists in country music for not taking the jab. Tears flowed, but in the end she did not bow down. GOOD for her! These ‘country’ artists market to you, but they ain’t you.”
Rich announced last month that he had joined forces with nationally known conservatives Larry Elder and Ben Carson to launch a new financial institution that over their traditional American ideas, it won’t cancel customers.
Along with retired neurosurgeon and Trump-era Housing Secretary Carson and conservative talk show host and former California gubernatorial candidate Elder, the “Progress” singer announced that he was co-founding the new bank they are calling “Old Glory Bank.”
The bank would “never cancel law-abiding customers for their beliefs or for exercising their lawful rights of free speech,” according to the trio’s media release.
Carson said, “Old Glory Bank will serve lower- and middle-income Americans and those Americans that other banks have marginalized and ignored, hard-working patriots who keep this country running every day.”
Sources: WesternJournal, BusinessWire, DailyWire