According to Consequence of Sound, at least 13 individuals have come forward with accusations against major Nashville music publicist Kirt Webster of a range of sexual misconduct, involving assault and molestation. At 43 years old, Webster has stepped down from his position at the head of the Webster PR firm as a result of several and increasing allegations of abuse and misconduct, both sexual and otherwise. The agency, which is now being run under the name Westby Public Relations by Webster’s associate, Jeremy Westby, has counted Dolly Parton, Hank Williams Jr., Kenny Rogers, and Kid Rock amongst its clients. Kid Rock has disbanded from the company following the accusations of a number of former clients and employees.
The allegations are so widespread it is near baffling. Some convey Webster yelling so much he vomited on two separate occasions; that he threatened to punch an employee for purchasing candy for the office candy dish with company resources; and that he frequently made individuals watch hardcore porn or talked about his sex life in the work place. There were also occasions of Webster grabbing male employees by the rear and crotch, or asking them to take a naked swim in his hot tub. He allegedly touched people inappropriately, whether it was for unwanted massages or twisting an employees nipple; two employees accuse him of pantomiming a sex act on them in front of others, with one woman claiming he pulled her hair during the incident.
Austin C. Rick, also known by his stage name Austin Cody, was the first individual to come forward with allegations against Webster. He claims Webster said to him “I want there to be fireworks in your career, but first there has to be fireworks between you and I.” The flirtation contributed to Webster asking Rick to sit on his lap while they watched pornography, and threats that if Rick didn’t play along and comply, Webster would kill his music career. It built up to an event during an Easter party in 2008, when Rick was apparently staying in a guest room at Webster’s. “I drank a drink. I drank a second drink, and before that second drink was gone, I remember nothing else. The next thing I remember was waking up, coming to, under his sheets, in his bed,” Rick recounted. “I had my own guest bedroom right down the hallway with my stuff and everything. But I wake up in his bed. It’s just us. All of the partiers had gone. He is like bear-hugging slash cuddling me and he’s kissing my ears, my nose, my mouth, my neck, everything.”
As mentioned by People, rep for Webster’s PR said in a statement on Tuesday “It saddens Mr. Webster that nine years later, after Mr. Rick’s music career has been stagnant, Mr. Rick has taken the opportunistic approach of mischaracterizing that relationship and posting untrue allegations.” Read the Tennessan‘s for accounts from a number of specific accusers.
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