Aren't you the ones supposed to be setting a good example for kids?

Whenever a fight breaks out in the music world, no one really wins. Today we got to hear the latest grumblings between the popular television show Glee and actual creative people. I really didn't want to wade into this issue, but a couple of ridiculous headlines forced my hand.

I'd like to toss in my two cents without getting into the arguments out there about how Glee adds little to progressing music or how much Kings of Leon have sold out. BUT, knowing how I have strong opinions about each, don't be too surprised if a couple of jabs pop up.

First some context. Over the past couple of seasons of Glee, there has been quite a few artists that don't want their music covered on it. Damon Albarn was one of the first to chime in when he said he didn't want to hear anything from Gorillaz given the Glee treatment. "Write your own music" said Albarn while being interviewed on the matter.

In fairness to show, they didn't ask. Albarn seemed both presumptuous and a little pompous for assuming Glee would actually want his music. But while he was going on the attack for seemingly no reason, he was making an argument about how bands don't need to sell their music to shows like Glee to succeed. It was a good point and it really had less to do with the content of the show rather than what it stood for.

But then there are the artists that WERE asked. Slash turned down Fox when they approached him to get sing some Guns 'N Roses songs. He just couldn't stomach seeing his music turned into bubblegum. Who can blame the guy either? When you're a bad boy of rock and roll, the wholesome nature of Glee is like a perversion of everything Slash has ever experienced. 

Then there's the latest saga involving the Kings of Leon. I'll be honest, I was surprised that KOL didn't jump at the chance to have their music heard even more. After all, in the past couple of years they have done everything they possibly could to sell their music. So like them or hate them, you really have to hand it to the band for showing some conviction.

Apparently the folks at Glee didn't care too much for that attitude. The show's creator Ryan Murphy fired back at both Slash and KOL in the Hollywood Reporter today. Murphy used his chance in the publication to allude that Slash was "uneducated" whose career was over. To KOL, he was much more direct telling the band flat out "fuck you."

Murphy went on to say of KOL: "They're self-centered assholes, and they missed the big picture. They missed that a 7-year-old kid can see someone close to their age singing a Kings of Leon song, which will maybe make them want to join a glee club or pick up a musical instrument. It's like, OK, hate on arts education. You can make fun of Glee all you want, but at its heart, what we really do is turn kids on to music."

For a man that seems to think he sets such a good example for kids, Murphy should probably do two things: 1. look up 'Irony' in the dictionary; and 2. re-read the words he chose to share with the Hollywood Reporter.

Nathan Followill who plays the sticks for Kings of Leon and has never been shy about sharing an opinion and didn't wait too long to respond. On Twitter Followill used his 140 characters to say: "Dear Ryan Murphy, let it go. See a therapist, get a manicure, buy a new bra. Zip your lip and focus on educating 7yr olds how to say fuck." Not the most eloquent response, but he got his point across. He even went further to clarify the comment by saying he didn't intend them as being homophobic or misogynistic (although everyone jumped on him for being just that).

Followill's rebuttal, however sexist and insulting as it may have come off, was fair. Despite how he worded it I think when someone like Murphy attacks you in a publication, you are more than welcome to defend yourself.

Bickering aside, I think Glee needs to remember a couple of things. First, it's not their music to take. I can understand how frustrating it may be to lose content when you make a program with no original music in it. Sorry, but that's the risk you run with a show of this nature. Second, I fail to see how a few bands that dislike Glee have a "hate on for arts education." They simply have an issue with the program. I haven't heard a single word from any of these men that suggests kids should not take an interest in music. My third point to Mr. Murphy I feel should be taken very seriously: you cannot bully musicians into doing what you want. If you want your own music, then either write it yourself or have something commissioned. It's not yours to take and you are not entitled to it simply because you have a popular television show.

I really do applaud the work that Glee does to encourage kids, ESPECIALLY gay ones. However those who work on the show need to be reminded of an important fact: you are no longer the underdog. Glee is one of the highest rated shows on television and for some reason you keep winning awards. It's time to show a little class while doing it. If you keep on with this attitude, you're no better than any of the bullies your portray on your show.