Ed is the one who spent tens of millions pre-paying semi trucks, Staff, Equipment, consultants on stage design, Travel and lodging and logistics. He apparently fronts the money for his own tours. People are hired, contracts are signed, things are scheduled and paid for. I don’t envy Ed. He’s not in the financial or legal position to simply cancel like the others are.

Robert Kraft is the bad guy here. Changing the rules on what musicians can play and can’t play. Art versus censorship is a tale as old as time. The industry needs to fight back, the fans need to stand up, but I don’t think we should take it all out on Ed here. I got the vibe he wants to be on the right side, but he’s too deep right now and counting on the tour dates to cover his expenses.

Where he messed up big-time was not hiring a crisis manager before he put out that defensive statement. He said some good things, but in the wrong tone, and I think people are reacting to the tone more than anything else.