Statement From Pollstar On Ralphie May’s Passing

This is particularly saddening to Pollstar.  May has been more than gracious to us as a company and individually and, as this is being typed, the company is very much upset.  Ralphie not only has hosted the Pollstar Awards, he has come to our office, where we all got together to have a barbecue, with meat smothered in May’s very own BBQ sauce.

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Was he a hit at the awards show?  Everybody found themselves laughing in spite of themselves as he made fun of opening act Maddie & Tae then just rocked on (see below). This happened at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and some took exception because of the venue’s Puritan background as the home of country music. Ralphie fought back (1hr zero seconds), noting that he grew up backstage at the Ryman and watched all the people doing coke.  He then continued to provide a very stirring response after CAA’s John Huie gave an emotional acceptance speech. Huie had lost a son, received a standing ovation, and proceeded to give a speech that brought the house to tears.  How does a comedian follow that?  By giving a tremendous response.

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We love Ralphie.  We’ll be cooking together again someday, and you can continue to give Brad Rogers a hard time. – JR