The first “Rex in the City” called me, to paraphrase, an “univited person on stage.” I was in fact, there at the request of the spponsor, Jack Daniels, and have probably hosted a dozen events for them since the late 90’s, including several in Lynchburg, and one in DC. They are very generous to a lot of charities I volunteer for, so when they ask me for a favor, I do it.

2. The “Anoerexia” joke I told at the begining was just to get the crowd’s attention, and they misquoted it. The joke, which I have used for years, is self-depricating, and say’s “I’ve been beating anorexia for years.” IT’s a visual audience grabber, as I weigh over 240.

3. Bashing me for calling Wax Fand “the greatest band in the Universe” was the intro they wrote, not me. (again, an emcees job.) I was probably on stage for less than 2 minutes, again, to get the crowd to look at the stage, thank the sponsor, and get going.

4. Ironically, the first attack showed “Rex” not be the “saavy political insider” “he” is portrayed to be. Using the phrase “much anticipated Spoon show” doesn’t sound like it came out of a FOX News commentator. The “free” concert had lots of young folks, there to hear some good bands. The fact that I intro-ed the band shouldn’t have been front page news. Period.

Upon reading this attack, I had a flurry of back-n-forth emails with my friend Clint Brewer, the editor. He admitted error and promised a retration of sorts for Tuesday. That didn’t happen. The damage had already been done. Both my wife and I were worn out with calls and comments about some BS reporting. The retraction didn’t run the next day as promised, but Wednesday. Yes, I commented on his timing in bashing me in one sentence, and in the next one, asking me to vote a particular way. That is ironic no matter what the issue.

The news rack bill won by a supermajority, I believe 28-23. There is no First Amendment issue in this bill. It concerns advertising, and clutter. The residents of certain areas are sick and tired of having their right-of-ways blocked by “Apartment Finder” and “Auto Trader.” Supposably, the Tennessean and Scene were to “fix” the problem years ago, promised the city they would, but never did. Did I comment to Clint in a private email about this? Hell yes! Did I vote out of retaliation? Absolutely not. Again, feel free to call me with any questions at my office at 252-9937. Thanks
Adam Dread

PS-You requested a copy of an email from the City Paper to me, when I requested a correction Below is an edited one, from the editor, complete with his little “Smiley face logo thing ” at the bottom. Feel free to run it.

From: CBrewer@nashvillecitypaper.com [mailto:CBrewer@nashvillecitypaper.com]
Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 10:04 PM
To: Adam Dread
Subject: RE: PS on Dread attack-Corrections please.

Adam,
You are a pain in the ass, which I am sure is your intent.You give all your actual news to The Scene.How about this A-Dread quote for Rex next week: “That being said good luck on your news racks, fucker. The last ones I saw were in complete disrepair.? Just kidding?sort of.”

My vote had nothing to do with his attack, however, his timing appeared to be a bit ironic, which I did comment on.

I don’t believe that you actually tied your vote to the CP’s response, but for anyone who does not know you, your comments to the paper imply the possibility. I personally think that implication, unfounded as it is, was unwise.

What you read were hand picked and edited exerpts of emails between myself and the editor of the City Paper (and a friend of mine) Clint Brewer.

I have no doubt that the CP pulled the most interesting and, perhaps, the most inflammatory remarks from your messages. I think that’s why the “ink by the barrel” maxim has become conventional wisdom. It’s often true.

I respect your interest in responding to any media coverage, especially coverage you consider inaccurate. Beyond correcting any misreported facts, though, I’m not sure what it accomplishes, especially if the responder goes on the offensive. In this particular case, I think it wound up creating another story similar to the one you did not want to see in the first place.

If you care to hear what he left out, and the reason I was unhappy with his paper’s uncalled for initial attack (and conveniently edited follow-up), I would be happy to discuss them with you. You can reach me at my office at 252-9937. I have never been afraid to take on people who “buy their ink by the barrel” , and, when attacked or misquoted, will respond directly.
Adam Dread