Stars Flee Nashville Power Publicist After Sexual Assault Claim

NASHVILLE, TN — Dozens of clients have cut ties with what was, until yesterday, Webster Public Relations — once one of country music's most prestigious PR firms — following sexual assault allegations against its namesake, power publicist Kirt Webster made by a former aspiring country singer.

In the wake of the allegations made public in a Facebook post Friday by Austin Rick against Kirt Webster, ex-employees detailed a culture of intimidation and harassment at the firm, which represented scores of country music's biggest stars. Early Wednesday, a message on Webster PR's web site said the firm was going out of business, but that was later walked back. Instead, it changed names to Westby Public Relations and will be headed up by Kirt Webster's long-time associate, Jonathan Westby as Webster, according to a spokesman, takes time "to focus on combating the egregious and untrue allegations made against him" by Rick, who said that, in 2008, Webster assaulted and drugged him repeatedly.

The name change, though, has done little to stanch the outflow of clients, whose names dropped from the list in bunches Wednesday and Thursday, including some of the music industry's brightest lights and Country Music Hall of Famers.

Those who have left include:

• Aaron Lewis
• Dolly Parton
• Kenny G
• KC and the Sunshine Band
• Bill Anderson
• Big & Rich
• Billy Ray Cyrus
• Crystal Gayle
• Cyndi Lauper
• Deborah Allen
• Denny Strickland
• Don McLean
• Erica Nicole
• Jeannie Seely
• Jimmy Fortune
• John Conlee
• Johnny Lee
• The Judds
• Justin Moore
• Kiefer Sutherland
• Kenny Rogers
• Kid Rock
• Hank Williams Jr
• Lacy Dalton
• Lee Greenwood
• LeRoy Van Dyke
• Lo-Cash
• Lucas Hoge
• Meat Loaf
• Moe Bandy
• Nu-Blu
• Oak Ridge Boys
• Olivia Lane
• Rodney Carrington
• Roy Clark
• Sam Moore
• Sylvia
• Tanya Tucker
• Tim Rushlow
• Wanda Jackson
• William Michael Morgan

CEO/President of Webster PR Kirt Webster speaks onstage during the NATD Honors Gala on November 9, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD)