Country-Rap Artist's Promoters Cause Complaints
ADAMS, Mass. — A CD sales group notorious for its aggressive pitches raised eyebrows Wednesday when its bus entered town.
Police were called Wednesday afternoon to tell the "Maverick Dirt Road Street Team" to stay out of the roundabout.
Adams residents took to Facebook with concerns over the strange van parked in the 7-Eleven parking lot plastered with Tennessee-based musician and "country rap" artist Mikel Knight's name.
The Adams Informed Facebook Page was filled with comments about promoters yelling to passing cars and "cornering" 7-Eleven patrons, although some found the sellers "super friendly." There were conflicting reports of the salesmen claiming some of the proceeds went to battered women, or maybe veterans?
The van was spotted at Allendale in Pittsfield and also at Walmart in North Adams.
According to Syracuse.com, the Maverick Dirt Road Street Team is employed by Knight to sell his CDs and his vans and buses have been spotted throughout the country. The site also reported that the sales team have been accused of aggressive sales tactics that often warrant police intervention.
Seyracuse.com reported incidents this spring with aggressive tactics in the New York counties of Oswego, Oneida and Herkimer. Police have issued warnings to the promoters and urged residents to stay away.
A Gawker article, that delves deeper into Knight's history and alleged antics, also stated that many of Knight's former employees have issued abuse complaints.
Although this may not be the case in Adams, dispatch reported that police were called to the roundabout around 4:40 Wednesday afternoon after reports of a van with "Urban Cowboy" written on the side parked in the 7-Eleven parking lot. Dispatch said a small group that was with the van was walking in and out of traffic in an attempt to promote the band.
Police asked the promoters to stay out of the roadway because it was a traffic hazard and there were no other reported issues.
Dispatch said the van does have permission from 7-Eleven to sell CDs on its property but Adams Police will intervene if they receive complaints. The van was not at 7-Eleven on early Thursday afternoon.
