The Dead South member accused of sexual misconduct returns to the group

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Disclaimer: This story contains graphic details

Regina’s band The Dead South is reuniting with their cellist, who faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct last year.

The group’s website features a group statement welcoming original member Danny Kenyon.

One of the women who filed a complaint against Kenyon in July 2020 says she feels the group is sending the message that victims don’t matter.

The Dead South (TDS) is a Saskatchewan-based bluegrass quartet. In 2014, the group was taken over by a German label and has since toured abroad.

On June 18, 2021, the group released a statement in the about section of its website saying the past year has been “a time of reflection and learning.”

“What we know for sure is that TDS just isn’t TDS without the four of us, so we want to continue this journey with Danny,” the statement said.

“We can’t wait to replay shows and we can’t wait to do so with our original lineup.”

“I don’t think that thinking is enough”

In 2020, CBC News reported the testimonies of three women who came forward for the first time by writing anonymous messages detailing Kenyon’s alleged inappropriate sexual behavior on an Instagram page for survivors. None of the allegations against Kenyon have been investigated by police or tested in court.

CBC News spoke to the women who wrote the posts and independently confirmed their identities and corroborated their stories.

The first woman who wrote an article alleged that Kenyon took advantage of the fact that she was drunk one night while on a date with Tinder. She said the next day that she woke up with him masturbating in her bedroom and he ejaculated on her without her consent.

“I feel, one of Danny’s victims, that the band and the record company are supporting men who hurt women,” she told CBC after learning Kenyon was in again. tour with The Dead South.

“He says we don’t matter. He says we deserve it. He says I deserve it.”

She said she wanted to know what Danny had done since the allegations were published, especially if he had taken advice.

“I don’t think there is enough thinking when it comes to something as serious as this,” she said. “I’m not on a big crusade against him, but I’m not sure she was treated properly.”

She told CBC that she was concerned for the safety of the other women in the group who were returning on tour.

Kenyon, who did not respond to CBC News inquiries in 2020 when the allegations first surfaced, commented on his post when it was posted on Instagram.

“Your courage in sharing this is appreciated. Thank you for bringing this to light, and I now see that my actions have caused harm. I wish you healing. I am sorry, and I will do better. Also, I am sorry. your original post has been taken down, you deserve to have a voice, “he wrote.

No word on consent training

The group released a statement on August 19, 2020, saying it “opposes and does not condone any harmful behavior of any kind.”

“We have started educating our band and team members on consent, professional conduct and creating safer spaces for our fans and our team,” the group statement read.

Six Shooter Records, which represent the group, said on its website the same day that consent workouts were scheduled for next week. He said he invited and encouraged all staff, artists, crew and agents to participate.

“This training is essential and one of the many steps we will take as a company to create safer environments for our community,” the record company said at the time.

CBC reached out to Six Shooter for comment on this story, but did not get a response. He did not respond to questions about what the consent training entailed or whether Kenyon was present.

The group will begin their Served Cold tour from Alberta in August 2021. It will continue in the United States and Europe over the next year.

Kenyon did not respond to CBC’s requests for comment.

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