The University of Oklahoma has been blacklisted from any future Jack White performances or any William Morris Endeavor Entertainment artists after White’s rider was published via the OU Daily prior to his show in Norman, OK. According to the OU Daily, the company said they won’t book any more bands or other talents to come to OU because the article mocked White and they don’t want their artists treated that way.

White performed at the McCasland Field House on the campus of University of Oklahoma and during the performance called out the newspaper for printing his contract and rider, which included, among other things, the cost of the show ($80,000) and White’s guacamole recipe which became a popular joke on the internet in the last few days as well as his no-banana policy on tour. The rider is there to accommodate not just White, but 60+ people on his touring staff.

William Morris Entertainment contacted the Campus Activities Council following the performance to notify them that until the policy is modified not to disseminate private information, no other shows will be booked at OU.

The policy refers to the Oklahoma Open Records Act, which requires any public entity of the state of Oklahoma (such as OU) to respond to request for records. OU must respond to requests for records involving the administration of public funds or transaction of public business, including budgets, faculty emails and other records.

White’s tour continued the other night at the Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas and most recently the guitarist took in a cup of coffee with Weird Al Yankovic and performed on The Tonight Show.

Update: White’s management has released the following statement:

Holy Guacamole!

To the students and staff of University of Oklahoma:

Jack White would love to thank all the concert attendees at his performance at the University of Oklahoma. The crowd was incredible and Mr. White played an extensive two and a half hour show for them. The students who helped organize the event were wonderful. Playing in, and for, the people of Oklahoma is one of Jack White’s favorite tour stops. At no time did Jack White or White’s management say that we would never play there again, that is untrue.

The incidents with the OU Daily student newspaper reporting the financial terms of the show, the private tour rider information, along with unsolicited photographers from their staff were unfortunate, unprofessional, and very unwelcoming. The show was one of many on this tour directed at playing for university students in their own environment. And the band were all completely thrilled with the performance and the crowd.

Incidentally, the most important function of a rider is that it lays out optimal technical specifications to ensure the audience has the best experience possible. For that, Jack hires a team of very qualified touring professionals who write the rider and attempt to execute a professional and pleasant experience for all involved. Part of that is making sure that the tour personnel of about 30 people plus the local venue staff are fed. Contrary to what some believe, Jack doesn’t write the rider nor make demands about his favorite snacks that must be in his dressing room. We’re not even sure he likes guacamole but we do know that the folks who work hard to put on the show do enjoy it.

(By the way, now that’s it out there, we recommend you try Lalo’s guacamole recipe. It’s delicious.)

We hope those present for Mr. White’s performance are able to maintain their good memories from the experience and he looks forward to seeing them again soon.

Sincerely,

Monotone Inc.