ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

April 18th 2008

SHARK Vs Cheyenne Frontier Days: Round One!

Filed under: animals, sports — parrish @ 11:29 am

Uh-Oh!!

A few days ago Ecorazzi told you that Matchbox 20 pulled out of Wyoming’s Cheyenne Frontier Days festival — the world’s largest outdoor rodeo — after the animal rights group, Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK), sent them video footage of alleged animal abuse from last year’s rodeo.

Well, needless to say the festival bosses are PISSED. And what do we do in this country if we’re angry? WE SUE!! That’s right, owners of the festival are suing SHARK claiming the animal rights group sent Matchbox 20 “false and misleading information” which caused the cancellation. Frontier Days organizers are estimating the resulting damage will be close to 100,000 dollars lost in ticket sales. They are also suing SHARK for persuading Carrie Underwood to pull out of the event in 2006.

Juicy stuff! Keep posted to Ecorazzi for all your SHARK/Frontier Days drama. Who will win? I vote SHARK.

April 14th 2008

Matchbox 20 Pulls Out Of Frontier Days After Animal Abuse Accusation

Filed under: animals, events, green and famous, music — parrish @ 3:11 pm

The Coloradoan newspaper is reporting that Matchbox 20 has backed out as the opening act at Cheyenne, Wyo.’s, Frontier Days on July 18 — possibly due to an Illinois-based animal-rights group. No official confirmation has been made, but Steve Hindi, president of Showing Animals Respect & Kindness, or SHARK, says that Matchbox cancelled only after his group provided video footage showing animal abuse at the 2005 and 2007 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeos. Matchbox 20 has remained silent over their reason for the cancellation.

In the past, SHARK has also taken credit for convincing American Idol winner and vegetarian cutie Carrie Underwood to back out of performing at Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2006 after learning of similar animal cruelty accusations. Again, nobody from the Carrie Underwood camp ever confirmed or denied the rumors.

In their defense, The Cheyenne Frontier Days Web site posted this statement: “While care, custody and control of all animals at Cheyenne Frontier Days lies with the owner, Cheyenne Frontier Days does not tolerate, condone, or permit actions that abuse animals.”

They go on to say that they “recognize animals, as well as humans, may be injured in these events. Any injured animal is accorded immediate veterinary medical attention, and is isolated from further harm. Every attempt is made to make injured animals comfortable, and offer them opportunity to recover.”

I mean I know this is just me and all…but the rodeo…seriously?!! It just seems like such a damn waste for all parties involved. Anyway, whether SHARK had anything to do with Matchbox 20’s decision or not, I’m just happy they made the choice to pull out. Yee-Haw!