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BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Organizers of the largest festival in Burke County are responding Tuesday after allowing the Artimus Pyle Band to headline one of the nights. Channel 9 spoke with Pyle who denies the allegations.
The Historic Morganton Festival in September attracts tens of thousands of people each year, filling the streets of downtown Morganton.
This year, an online petition is trying to keep the band from performing because Pyle is a registered sex offender in North Carolina. He’s also a former drummer for the band Lynyrd Skynyrd.
According to the sex offender registry, Pyle was convicted of felony capital first-degree attempted sexual battery in Florida in 1993.
Already, more than 300 people have signed the petition opposing the selection of Artimus Pyle. The petition said people who signed it planned on boycotting the festival and voting against city leaders who don’t denounce the performance.
“They knew about his record before they hired him and didn’t think to let the citizens know,” parent Justina Keene said.
Pyle told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty the allegations made against him in the 1990s are false and that he’d never hurt a child.
“A girl that I was with for six years made a false charge against me to get into the deep pockets of Lynyrd Skynyrd and try to get some money,” Pyle said. “None of it is true. I’ve never harmed a child in my life.”
Pyle said that he could not financially defend himself and agreed to a no-contest plea, but that decision also required him to register as a sex offender.
Organizers said since 2013, the band has averaged 18 concerts a year without a complaint.
Pyle said he has lost venues because of the conviction.
“We just lost a gig in Sacramento because someone called,” Pyle said.
He hopes the people of Morganton will give him a chance.
“I don’t belong on that list and I’m so sad right now,” Pyle said. “I want to cry.”
What a shame. These malcontents, these “Karens,” get off on causing problems like for people. They hurt others because they can get away with it and rationalize their actions with “people have a right to know.”
They’ll claim otherwise, but there is zero altruism in their actions. They are unhappy people and, as we all know, misery loves company.
More proof that the tax-wasting Registry makes communities stupid with fear.
Also, I like to point out if Pyle was convicted of drug offenses instead music fans would embrace him for having street cred. Morons…
I’m not a huge fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd, although I do like the song “Simple Man”. Never heard of Artimus Pyle before reading this article, and now I want to hear what kind of music he plays. I absolutely agree with C…a lot of people are just so miserable, with such empty lives, that the only way they can feel better about themselves, that they are doing something “important” or “meaningful” or even “relevant”, is by deriding and banishing the current “acceptable targets” whenever they have the opportunity. Misery loves company…and so does abject idiocity. As for me, I’d rather spend my time and energy finding ways to be happy and content…states of being that can never be achieved with a mind full of hatred and fear.
How many famous country stars are alcoholics, coke heads, have multiple domestic abuse charges, assaults, gun crimes, and legions of promiscuous acts, but they are just good ol boys, right NC. Oh well, you can blame the simpletons of NC, they are just like the rest of the country, they are programed by the media and low IQ politicians that need a scare tactic to get some votes. Pyles band mate Collins was a known alcoholic and died of alcoholism,but in his day he was a legend and alwasy welcome in NC.
Yet Mike Tyson was allowed to continue his boxing career after he got out of prison….
One thing (of many), I don’t get is how Mike Tyson remains somewhat of a national sports hero and celebrated popular culture icon. How has he survived and thrived despite the government imposed social death sentence? If he was featured at a boxing exhibition and was signing autographed THC-laced, ear-shaped gummies they’d be lined up around the block.
Kudos to Iron Mike. How can we replicate his success?
19 shot and killed in Texas Elementary school. The suspect supposedly was a felon and purchased assault rifles legally, and posted them on Social Media. Yet, these idiots worry about a person who may or may have not committed a sex offense in 1993???? One word: Idiots
these Karen’s bible thumpers should look in mirror they should protest their own
They act like he’s gonna pull out a gun and kill 17 children or something SMH
NC is heavy SBC state, and the church wants to put a smoke screen over their closet doors.
The irony of course no one seems to care how many attendees have had and will have DUI’s after getting drunk at the festival. I guess having your loved ones run over isn’t an issue.
nearly 30 years later…let that sink in for a moment… nearly 13 years beyond any statistical accounting of him as a person where he joined the ranks of the public as a non-threat…statistically.
These muckrakers, which is what they really are, are doing this for publicity and because they like to see what attention they receive online, directly or attributed to without citation. They are sick individuals who have complexes that need mental evaluation and treatment.
Music festival defends hiring registered sex offender to play in North Carolina. Why?
“According to the festival, Pyle never had any inappropriate incidents during recent concerts or fan events, and the performer was fully transparent with the board about his past.”
“The Historic Morganton Festival, Inc. Board and the Executive Director are comfortable with the decision made to hire the band and look forward to having a true rock legend perform at the festival,” the release ended.
Play some Skynyrd man!
So according to this NC SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION RESTRICTIONS AND CONSEQUENCES a person who committed a sex offense is barred from public parks. This music event will take place in a public park. So rules for thee but no me. So once again money, it’s all about money.
Why do people have to raise such a stink over this? Go to the festival, enjoy the music, and have a good time. It really is that simple.
“…will be at liberty to live and work with….” Smith V Doe 2003
Ya, not so much.
Once again, a few miserable folks with a chip on their shoulder and nothing to bring them joy in life are trying to make everyone else’s life as miserable as theirs..
Do the same people trying to deny this man realize they would have to deny Elvis, Jerry, Johnny Cash and a good many other musicians they worship.
I have know Artimus for 22 years. What the story doesn’t tell you is who the person is who made these allegations. He is one of the best human beings I have ever known. He never harmed anyone.