Hedley dropped by management, radio, tour opener amid sexual misconduct allegations
TORONTO — Besieged pop-rockers Hedley faced a barrage of more bad news Friday as they were dropped by their management team, abandoned by other musicians opening for them on their cross-Canada tour and had their music blacklisted by the CBC and more than 100 Bell Media radio stations.
The whirlwind of developments came a day after dozens of Corus Radio stations also stripped Hedley’s hit songs from the air in response to sexual misconduct allegations, which had been circulated by anonymous social media users who detailed encounters with young fans.
The former MuchMusic darlings — fronted by Jacob Hoggard and including Dave Rosin, Tommy Mac and Jay Benison — released a statement Wednesday calling the allegations “unsubstantiated,” but acknowledged they “engaged in a lifestyle that incorporated certain rock ‘n’ roll cliches.”
They went ahead with a show in Medicine Hat, Alta., that night, another in Moose Jaw, Sask., on Thursday, and were set to play Brandon, Man., on Friday — but without openers Neon Dreams.