Piling on - additional ado about Ashlee

10/24: Ashlee Simpson is my schadenfreude

Simpson Dad Blames Acid Reflux for Gaffe (Yahoo News)
Ashlee's dad/manager/preacher says the backing track was used only because Ashlee had acid reflux disease that made her voice hoarse.
More from Papa Simpson:
"Just like any artist in America, she has a backing track that she pushes so you don't have to hear her croak through a song on national television," Joe Simpson told Ryan Seacrest on Los Angeles radio station KIIS-FM. "No one wants to hear that."

He insisted it would be Ashlee's live voice alone during her appearance on NBC's "Radio Music Awards" Monday night.

And he said she's never used the extra help onstage before...

The incident exposed what many consider an obvious secret: that some singers who appear onstage aren't singing live at all, or at least have their voices augmented by backing tracks.

"Every artist that I now in this business has had vocal problems at some time — from Celine on down," said Joe Simpson, also father of Jessica Simpson (news). "So you've got to do what you've got to do."

He said it was his decision to use the tapes when it became apparent that acid reflux disease had swollen Ashlee's vocal chords. After consulting Wayne Newton (news)'s doctor, she received a cortisone shot to get her ready for the "Radio Music Awards," he said.

It was the band's drummer who pushed the wrong button onstage, he said.

Yes, it's still the band's fault.

Meanwhile, from tale of two cities, irony or synchronicity?


Now, I do feel a bit sympathetic (but only a teeny weeny bit) for young Ashlee. After all, she's just a dumb teen who's been forced into showbiz by her father, and she obviously has no idea what to do on stage other than follow instructions.

And she will be singled out, fairly or not, for being the girl who lip synched on SNL when so many other artists use pre-recorded backup vocals and still maintain their cred. The bulk of the blame goes to Joe Simpson, for creating this caricature of a musician, for Universal Vivendi for the incestuous relationship between Geffen Music and NBC, and to Lorne Michael for booking crap, if popular, acts for the sake of ratings.

Finally, again from ToTC, was it part of a vast right wing conspiracy?