2008 Woodie Awards
Christian band denied opportunity to perform
Kerry Lipp
Issue date: 11/2/05 Section: News
The band Towhee was selected instead of the Christian rock band The Ambassadors to play for students attending Wright State's Homecoming Dance.
Towhee was selected despite a verbal contract between The Ambassadors and the University Activities Board (UAB) said rhythm guitarist and vocalist Jason Seidler of The Ambassadors.
Seidler said that the UAB gave many reasons for the choice, but Seidler believes the main reason is because The Ambassadors are a Christian band.
"We didn't want students to be offended," said UAB President Gabrielle Howard. "I'd rather see them play at a venue more appropriate for their sound instead of asking them to change."
Seidler said a contract was drawn up, but not signed at the last minute after Howard met with her graduate advisors and decided against the band.
"There wasn't a verbal agreement," said Howard. "We never said yes." Howard said that The Ambassadors were competing with about three other bands for the chance to play at Homecoming.
Howard said that a main reason for passing on The Ambassadors was because they didn't have a demo tape and she didn't have a feel for their sound. "It boiled down to one band, Towhee, whose sound we really liked."
Seidler said The Ambassadors are upset for many reasons. The group spent about 20 hours rehearsing in a single weekend and learned 10 new songs after talking to Howard. Another part of the agreement that had The Ambassadors practicing was that their style of worship music was supposed to be watered down.
"The conditions to play were that we couldn't say Jesus and [had to] tone down our worship aspects," said Seidler. After this altering and practice they were told by the UAB that Towhee would be playing instead.
The UAB has invited The Ambassadors to play during winter quarter at an event involving live music, but The Ambassadors haven't decided yet.
"We aren't trying to bash the UAB," Seidler said, "but it needs to be out in the open to prevent future discrimination."
Towhee was selected despite a verbal contract between The Ambassadors and the University Activities Board (UAB) said rhythm guitarist and vocalist Jason Seidler of The Ambassadors.
Seidler said that the UAB gave many reasons for the choice, but Seidler believes the main reason is because The Ambassadors are a Christian band.
"We didn't want students to be offended," said UAB President Gabrielle Howard. "I'd rather see them play at a venue more appropriate for their sound instead of asking them to change."
Seidler said a contract was drawn up, but not signed at the last minute after Howard met with her graduate advisors and decided against the band.
"There wasn't a verbal agreement," said Howard. "We never said yes." Howard said that The Ambassadors were competing with about three other bands for the chance to play at Homecoming.
Howard said that a main reason for passing on The Ambassadors was because they didn't have a demo tape and she didn't have a feel for their sound. "It boiled down to one band, Towhee, whose sound we really liked."
Seidler said The Ambassadors are upset for many reasons. The group spent about 20 hours rehearsing in a single weekend and learned 10 new songs after talking to Howard. Another part of the agreement that had The Ambassadors practicing was that their style of worship music was supposed to be watered down.
"The conditions to play were that we couldn't say Jesus and [had to] tone down our worship aspects," said Seidler. After this altering and practice they were told by the UAB that Towhee would be playing instead.
The UAB has invited The Ambassadors to play during winter quarter at an event involving live music, but The Ambassadors haven't decided yet.
"We aren't trying to bash the UAB," Seidler said, "but it needs to be out in the open to prevent future discrimination."
