Some of country music's biggest artists are parting ways with Webster PR after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct from the company's founder and ousted CEO have been made public.
Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, William Michael Morgan, Billy Ray Cyrus, Wanda Jackson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Big and Rich, Justin Moore, Lee Greenwood, Kid Rock, Tanya Tucker, Jeannie Sealy, Dailey and Vincent, Aaron Lewis and Olivia Lane are among the country stars who have been removed from the company's online roster.
This news comes just 24 hours after Webster PR was rebranded as Westby PR. The company will now be headed by Jeremy Westby, the former senior vice president of Webster PR. In a statement from the public relations firm DVL Seigenthaler, the decision to rebrand came as "Kirt Webster takes some time away from the business to focus on combating the egregious and untrue allegations made against him."
Earlier this week, Webster was accused of sexual misconduct from a former client. Austin Rick, who performed country music under the stage name Austin Cody, claims that Webster drugged and sexually assaulted him in 2008. He also says Webster offered "publicity opportunities and magazine columns in exchange for sexual acts."
In the past 24 hours, another artist and multiple ex-employees have stepped forward to share their stories of abuse and harassment from Webster. One employee noted that Webster would brag about exchanging sexual favors with Dolly Parton fans in return for meet-and-greet passes. Ex-employees also said they regularly endured explicit hand gestures, abusive language, unwanted touching and groping in the office.
So far, none of the artists that have been dropped from Webster PR's online roster have made a public comment about the allegations. Wide Open Country will keep you posted as this story develops.
