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WHEN WE GET BACK FROM FLORIDA, I start with a Google search—normally I get home from work before Tim, so I have time to research uninterrupted for at least an hour. I find an article about the accident in Australian People. There’s a picture of the car; it’s completely mangled, and the telephone pole he hit is splintered and looks like it’ll break in half and fall at any second. The article states that Keith was escorted from the scene by a private security detail. It’s interesting that he wasn’t arrested on the spot, despite the fact he refused to take a breathalyzer test. The comments at the bottom of the online version of this article are scathing; there’s even one that calls him an attempted murderer. I think that goes a little too far. Yes, he did something very careless by getting behind the wheel that night and not letting Tamsen drive. But to call it attempted murder? Talk about a stretch. But these are the comments that the readers notice.
In a later article, I learn that another Australian celebrity who was pulled over for drunk driving is said to have “pulled a Kutter.” After the outrage died down, Keith Kutter became a punchline on late-night talk shows. Then I saw Twitter hashtags about non-celebrities pulling a Kutter, and the joke spread like wildfire. It’s not funny at all. I am sure it was absolutely humiliating for him to have to confront that noise every time he turned around. The accident occurred years ago, but it still comes up in more recent articles about drunken-driving incidents. I even learned that a chapter of Students Against Drunk Driving in Oregon still uses it as a cautionary tale when reminding students about drunk driving on prom night.
I wonder why his publicist didn’t release a statement from Keith to defuse some of the growing indignation. What would I do if I were his publicist? I know from my job that making a comeback from any sort of scandal is very difficult. As a publicist, I’ve dealt with a few scandals, but nothing as intense as the lynch mob that wants Keith thrown in jail. His publicist must have realized that this was a losing battle and decided to let it blow over instead. That’s usually the absolute last resort; I wish I could have been a fly on the wall in the meeting when that decision had been made.
But maybe he could make something positive out of the situation by being a willing cautionary tale. The accident happened; there’s nothing he can do about it. Why not own it and be that voice that says, “Drunk driving ruined my life, don’t be like me”? Instead, it looks as if he’s just waiting for everyone to forget that it happened. Sure, the outrage has died down, but the jokes haven’t. I mean, everyone thinks that Mama Cass died from eating a ham sandwich. The joke was that she was overweight, and the sandwich did her in. But it’s not really true: it was a heart attack. Sure, people are going to joke about “pulling a Kutter,” but I think he should tackle it head on instead of hiding and letting people talk trash about him all over the Internet.
It’s probably gotten to the point where Keith is scared to leave his house, not knowing if some crazy person out there intends to do him harm because of his mistake. Most famous people, I think, have that fear in the back of their minds, because they just don’t know what will happen to them when they go out. John Lennon didn’t know, did he? He’d even signed an autograph for his killer before he was shot. I imagine it’s still pretty scary to be in Keith Kutter’s shoes. Never mind the fact that his wife hates him, and he’ll probably never get to see his son again. I wonder if he still feels like he’s wearing a bull’s eye on his back. He probably still gets tons of hate mail; that must be horrible.
I stand up from my computer and pop After into the CD player. I’ll have a chance to listen to it without interruption until Tim gets home. I set my laptop aside and lie on the couch. This was the first album they released after Keith’s accident and the band’s hiatus. Yet, in reading the liner notes, there doesn’t seem to be any reference to the accident. And it looks as if Keith didn’t write any songs about it, either. The lyrics in here are no more meaningful than any other pop album. What happened to the depth of the lyrics on the Friendly Fire album? That song “Almost” that he wrote for Tamsen was exquisitely raw. What happened to lines like “One look from her and I am stripped bare/tossed in the sea under her stare?” After is a huge disappointment. It sounds as if Hydra is trying to be younger than they are, trying to compete with the boy bands. I look up the reviews on Amazon, and sure enough, they average just two stars. Ouch. I can imagine that the supporting tour looked a lot like the movie This Is Spinal Tap, where nobody shows up to events or concerts.
So, the world hates Keith Kutter. Creatively, he’s in a rut and doesn’t know where he fits in the rock-and-roll genre anymore. This is exactly the kind of artist I’d want to take on professionally, to help him repair his reputation. If only I could convince Amanda that there is a viable revenue stream here.
I think I might have to take on a pet project like Keith so that I can build my case. A handwritten note to Keith might be just the thing to cut through the noise. Do people still write fan letters? I need to stroke his ego a bit to get his attention.
I pull out some stationary that Portia had bought for me for Christmas one year. I haven’t even opened it yet; I’ve been saving the thick, creamy paper for a special occasion.
Dear Keith,
I’ve been a fan of yours since I was a teenager. You were an original voice that stood out from all the others, and you wrote the words that moved me in so many ways. I’ve just finished reading Colors Fade on vacation. Yeah, I know, it’s not really a beach read, but it still struck a chord with me. You have been through a great deal of heartache, and experiencing it while in the public eye has, I am sure, only made it worse. I know the accident was a few years ago, and I imagine so much has happened to you since then. I hope that you have since found some peace.
I am writing because I feel like your story is incomplete. As it stands right now, the listening and reading public was left hanging by Colors Fade. What is happening now? You have silenced your own voice, but we want to know how the accident has changed you. How has it affected your work as a musician and lyricist? Have you made any attempts to reconcile with your wife and son?
You are a brilliant musician and an excellent writer. Please don’t let the accident define you. As a member of your fan base, I care about the music you create, and I care about your story. We are all waiting to see how it ends. Will you please tell us?
Thanks again for all the music. I’ve recently rediscovered Hydra. I’d forgotten just how amazing you all are. I drove way too fast to your music back then, and now I can’t wait to hear what you’ll put out next.
Kindest Regards,
Brenda Dunkirk