Dukes of Hazzard Blog

Hey yall check out this audio interview of Tom Wopat on a show called “Just my show” which is a pop-culture podcast. Eric sent me the link he runs “the show”. Click here to for more information.

Check out this link sent to me by the Southern Avenger, a worker at a talk radio station in Charleston, SC. This is a response to the Cincinnati POPs canceling a concert.

Look for pictures at my Dukes of Hazzard photo gallery!

CITIZENS OF HAZZARD NATION UNITE!!

NOTE: This is a somewhat lengthy personal appeal from Ben Jones. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read it.

Dear Friends,

The purpose of this letter is to let you know about the ongoing “Dukes’ controversy” in Cincinnati and to ask you to take a little action on behalf of America’s all-time favorite family show. “The Dukes of Hazzard” is being threatened by self-righteous elitists who have accused our show of being “racist”; an accusation that is false, disgusting, and an insult to everyone who has ever watched the show or shared it with their children. We cannot let this go down without standing up for what is true and right.

The facts as I know them: Tom Wopat and John Schneider are both world-class singers. They have sung often with symphonies, with “Pops” orchestras, and sung leads in Broadway musicals. (Not to mention their highly successful country and pop recording careers!) Having performed on several occasions with the renowned Cincinnati Pops, they were asked to do a show on July 14th which was to be “Dukes” themed. They agreed, were sent contracts, signed them and sent them back, and put the show on their schedules. Then they were informed about two weeks ago that the date had been cancelled because of accusations from the NAACP that the “Dukes of Hazzard” had “racist overtones.”
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Please post your comments if you’re coming. I’m staying at the Jellystone Park. I’ll be updating my gallery with pics daily. Who else is coming to Dukes Fest 2007 Nashville, TN?

Justin

I’m from Cincinnati.. And not proud of it…

From www.cootersplace.com:

SINGERS CANNED BY ORCHESTRA BECAUSE OF CLASSIC T.V. SHOW

Nashville, TN – March 15, 2007 – Former Democratic Congressman Ben Jones, who played “Cooter” on the hit television show “The Dukes of Hazzard,” has released a statement regarding an incident involving the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Jones calls the situation “a dangerous affront to the rights of performing artists and their audiences, and the worst example of political correctness I’ve ever heard of.”

According to Jones, the Cincinnati Pops was pressured to cancel a July 14, 2007 performance by singers John Schneider and Tom Wopat because of their connection with “The Dukes of Hazzard.” Jones and Schneider were both told that the cancellation came after members of the Cincinnati community complained that the popular and perennial family show has “racist overtones.” Both Schneider and Wopat have appeared previously with the Cincinnati Pops.

“I wish I was making this up,” said Jones. “But, unfortunately it is true. It is bizarre. One reason our show is loved by folks of all colors all over the world is that racism is non-existent in Hazzard County. It is an innocent show where the good guys always win and nobody gets hurt, and brotherhood is a natural thing there. What could these politically correct vigilantes possibly be thinking?”

Jones says that the NAACP apparently put its imprimatur on the cancellation. “I’m a life member of the NAACP and proud of it. But I’m not proud of this. Denying an artist an opportunity to entertain an audience because of somebody’s wrongheaded political viewpoint is just plain un-American. I have fought for equal rights all of my life, and that is why I am speaking out on this.”

In the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s, Jones was arrested several times attempting to integrate segregated facilities. He says he was shot at by the KKK, had a tooth knocked out by a Klansman, and had ammonia thrown in his eyes at a sit-in.

“In my opinion, there are two important issues here,” he says. “First of all, the original Dukes of Hazzard is a wonderfully benign show, one that is beloved by kids of all ages. My grandchildren love it. If some elitist wants to think otherwise, fine. I think that would be wrong-headed, but that is their right. But to go further and basically blacklist an artist because of a past association with that show is beyond the pale. I’m just trying to get the word out. I’ve done a lot of “Dukes’ things for almost thirty years, and I’ve met legions of black folks who love the show and its values.”

Jones says he “believes the goodhearted people in Cincinnati of all ages, types, and complexions will see the folly of this kind of precedent.”