Some Council Rock North Parents Livid Over Upcoming Concert

UPDATE: Council Rock has canceled the Confederate Railroad concert. READ MORE.

Original story:

NEWTOWN, PA — A country music concert event scheduled in March at Council Rock North has angered many parents and community members, who are taking issue with the band's name as well as song titles and lyrics.

Confederate Railroad has been booked by the Bucks County Fraternal Order of Police to play its annual Country Music Show event on March 2 at the high school in Newtown. The event is not sponsored by the district.

But some parents are not pleased the district is permitting a band with such song titles as “She Took It Like A Man," "Psycho Bitch From Hell," and "White Trash with Money" in their repertoire to play at the local school. Further, opponents state, the band name is offensive and promotes slavery.

A group of the concerned parents have launched a petition demanding the district cancel the booked performance.

"Not only is the name of the band offensive, their song titles and lyrics are degrading to women and many others as well. They refer to people as 'white trash,' 'rednecks,' and 'trashy women,'" says the petition, which was launched by the Council Rock Concerned Community Members group.

The petition makes clear the event is not sponsored by the district, but takes issue with the fact that it is even being permitted on school grounds.

Opponents are highlighting the following school policy (CRSD Policy 707, Section 2) as they advance their position against the concert:

“The Council Rock School District has an obligation to shield our students, personnel, and residents from harassment as well as vulgar or obscene speech and/or speech that substantially disrupts or materially interferes with school activities as well as other activities that are in violation of the policies of the Council Rock Board of School Directors. No organization or individual shall utilize school facilities for any purpose that would violate these obligations.”

The policy goes on to state "the Superintendent or his/her designee reserves the right to refuse, with or without cause, any individual or organization use of District facilities."

When contacted about the matter, Council Rock spokeswoman Susan O'Grady said the district has plans to issue a statement about the issue in the coming days.

Confederate Railroad bills itself as a family-friendly country music act that entertains at a variety of venues, including fairs, biker shows, and more.

"From rowdy country to raw emotion, a Confederate Railroad concert today covers a wide range of feelings. Young people will be there rocking to 'Trashy Women', while their parents and even grandparents will likely be singing along to 'Jesus and Mama'," the band's bio says.

As of Friday morning, 96 people have signed the petition. You can view it here.

Patch file photo, CR North