Solidarity

A number of people have stopped in and asked or left comments asking for a Taylor Swift concert update, so let’s discuss.

If you recall, a number of Team PJP members had tickets to one or two of the Taylor Swift concerts in Kansas City two weekends ago. My best friend’s daughter - who is also an afternoon member of Team PJP - spent hours online procuring the tickets, so suffice it to say if Kate hadn’t been willing then Ellery and I would have never been so patient.

Since most of us at PJP purchased the tickets last October, there was A LOT of time to work on outfits. And if you aren’t familiar, the Taylor Swift concerts are basically an enormous opportunity to wear the most glitter and sequins possible. Also, you have to craft up hundreds of friendship bracelets and go to the concert and trade them with people. Owners of bead manufacturing companies owe Taylor all of their gratitude. I make it a priority to not visit stores like JoAnn’s because I’m not crafty at all, but I found myself there a few times with Ellery because she was tasked with the bracelet making for she and I. On each visit, all of the colored beads and lettered beads were mostly sold out. I bet you that hasn’t happened in a hot minute pre Eras tour.

So, in terms of ranking, we all know Jason Isbell will always rank at the top for Elle and I. But we do love Taylor…I mean, is it possible not to? Her songwriting aside, here’s why I’m a fan: Taylor’s entire catalog of songs was sold to music executive Scooter Braun. He’s allegedly not a very nice person in the music industry. There’s a lot more to it (according to Tik Tok), but in general, every stream of Taylor’s music profits Scooter. To thwart his profit, she is in the process of re-recording every album she’s written (with small tweaks) so that she regains full ownership of each song. That’s why you see the “Taylor’s Version” on the re-releases.

SO MUCH RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION. I’m a full fan of it. Re-recording fueled solely by spite to protect her music has all my support. In short, this is probably why I could never franchise or sell PJP to a major conglomerate or even consider an equity investor. Clearly, I can’t have a Scooter Braun in my life. I’ll stream Taylor’s version forever in a show of solidarity.