There is a lot of misinformation being repeated in the media.
I think it is important that we have an agreed and accurate record of events prepared,
ready to be used in future to set the record straight.
Here is a first draft for comment.
It is long so I would avoid quoting it in full.
If others agree that these truths should be preserved, then please comment.
Alternatively, if it is none of our business and a bad idea, please say so.
JACKIE EVANCHO AND THE LEADUP TO THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION 2016
DOCUMENTED SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
The narrative presented by the media to date is highly inaccurate.
The true sequence of events was recorded in real time and is visible for all to see
on several of Jackie's fan forums, for example:
United Kingdom:
classicalcrossover.proboards.com/thread/965/jackie-sings-anthem-inauguration-20thUnited States of America:
jackieevanchofans.proboards.com/thread/493/appearance-jan-2017-presidential-inaugerationand can checked at source from billboard.com, amazon.com and the relevant news/opinion sources.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
------------------
(Dates may be impacted by up to 24 hours because of timezone differences.)
Dec 8:
Someday At Christmas by Jackie Evancho reaches Position No.1 on the Billboards Classical Chart
Dec 15:
1. It was announced in TMZ magazine that Jackie Evancho and Andrea Bocelli will sing at Donald Trump's inauguration.
2. The story was repeated by multiple news outlets.
3. Attacks appear on Evancho and Bocelli's social media.
Dec 16:
4. The news appears on Yahoo front page.
5. Reports of harassment against Jackie Evancho begin to appear in the media.
Dec 17:
6. Reports appear that David Foster will be involved.
7. Articles appear defending Jackie's decision, for example labelling the backlash as 'a little harsh' for an apolitical performer who has performed for Obama and at other national events.
Dec 18:
8. David Foster publicly announces that he will not be involved.
Dec 19:
9. Reports of harassment against Evancho and a 'call to arms' appears on a well read Republican facebook page - the post was shared over 24,000 times.
10. Bocelli withdraws Is is later reported that he was never asked.
11. The more active fan groups discuss responding to the issue but decide to hold back until the Inauguration on 20 Jan 2017.
Dec 24:
12. Jackie herself (or her minders) shared the above facebook post (point 9) on Jackie's Facebook page.
13. The post is picked up by many Jackie Evancho Fan clubs around the world.
14. More fans begin actively responding to the online comments.
Dec 25:
15. An article "Jackie Evancho NEEDS OUR SUPPORT" appears on Trumps official Reddit account.
16. TMZ Magazine publishes an article "What Backlash?? TRUMP MADE ME #1!"
(To repeat, the album had reached #1 on Billboard Classical one week BEFORE the inauguration performance was announced.)
17. Multiple fans attempt without success to have the news stories corrected. There was no acknowledgement from
the various news sources. (I posted a proof in the comments section at TMZ. The post was removed 5 minutes later.)
18. Heated discussions on mostly Republican discussion forums have two themes "I will buy her albums to show those bullies!",
and "Wow, she has an amazing voice!"
Dec 27:
19. Sales of multiple Jackie albums increase by up to 1,370% on Amazon.
20. Multiple news articles appear "Jackie Evancho sales skyrocket". Some claim that earlier albums have risen to No. 1
but these claims appear to be based on historical Billboard pages from 2010 to 2012.
21. Evancho albums occupy 6 of the top 7 positions on Amazons "Movers & Shakers in Music" (updated hourly)
for approximately 24 hrs, and remain highly placed at time of writing (28 Dec 16 AEST)
22. Amazon sells out of multiple Jackie Evancho albums, and reportedly has reordered twice.
Ongoing..