Local radio DJs: Sugarland blame game could hurt fan base

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Sugarland fans all across the country are reacting to a statement the band's lawyers released today about the stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair in August. Local country radio station disc jockeys say the comments could ultimately affect the band's fan base.

In response to a civil lawsuit filed by the victims' families, attorneys for Sugarland place some blame directly back on the people who attended the concert that night.

The lawyers call what happened an "act of God" and said fans failed to take steps to protect themselves.

Charlotte Burke from U.S. 93.3 in Fort Wayne had the same reaction many people did. "It sounds hurtful when you hear it," Burke said.

Still, she encourages people to understand that the statement is what she called "lawyer speak."

"It's in a court of law versus an interview between an artist talking about what happened in a show. But you know when that many people are hurt you can't expect it not to hit people in the heart when somebody says something like that," said Burke.

K105 morning show host Dan Austin said he was surprised by the statement, "Especially after all the support that the country music fans had given them."

 He believes this could potentially damage Sugarland's fan base significantly.

"You make a statement like this to the fans, especially because we lost so many locally, not really the smartest move and it could hurt their career. It really could," Austin explained.

Some of NewsChannel 15's Facebook friends were offended by it.
    
Courtney wrote, "Well, I never really listened to their music before but now... definitely not. And I'm going to encourage others to do the same."

Others seem to understand why the group's lawyers said what they said.

Meghann posted, "It looks bad, but they are right. All of those fans were taking a risk - you could tell a storm was coming. Probably not the best way to state their argument though."

Sugarland's manager, Gail Gellmen, released this statement in response to fan reaction. "Sadly when a tragedy occurs, people want to point fingers and try to sensationalize the disaster. The single most important thing to Sugarland are their fans. Their support and love over the past 9 years has been unmatched. For anyone to think otherwise is completely devastating to them."