As we get closer to Thanksgiving, many of us think about getting together with family and friends—being thankful for blessings and sharing a great spread.  For others, they’re thinking about Canadian band, Nickelback, playing the half-time show at the Detroit Lions’ game.  Apparently, it’s such a big deal that there’s a petition circulating to replace them.  I thought to myself, “Really.  They’re that bad?”

This is not old news to me that there are plenty of people that aren’t fond of Nickelback (an understatement).  Me? I’m on the fence.  They have some good songs like “Never Again,” “Side of a bullet” and “Figured You Out.”  However, I’ll definitely say that their recent work has been uneven, especially their most recent album Dark Horse (way too poppy), which was produced by Mutt Lange.  However, I’m not the one that’s circulating the petition to replace them.

The first issue that I have with this ridiculous notion is that it’s ludicrous.  Considering the timetable that would be involved with replacing them and the money involved to pay their replacement, it’s not doable.  As of this date, there are about two weeks until the game.  There would be simply too many details involved with ironing out contracts in time to make a replacement possible.

Second, any replacement would not be in a possible to increase their asking price.  Why wouldn’t they? There’s the business component to show business.  At the end of the day, musicians, while they’re in it to express themselves, are also interested in getting paid. Believe me, it would not be cheap to replace Nickelback.

I just don’t get the outrage.  If you want to get pissed off, be angry with excessive bank fees.  Be upset with our ineffective government.  Be upset at the loss of real political dialogue.  Hell, just be thankful for your blessings.  At the end of the day, being upset about Nickelback playing the Lions’ Thanksgiving half-time show isn’t worth it.

 

Author: José A. Rodríguez