Tongue & Groove club owner apologizes for calling V-103 'racist'
After reacting to Trump backlash, his own Facebook rant went viral
After hearing the comments of listeners who called the station in opposition to President-elect Donald Trump, Scott Strumlauf, owner of Tongue & Groove, took to Facebook last Thurs., Nov. 10 to post a response. "Radio 103 is a racist station. Stop playing the race card. What a crutch, an excuse. your not in jail, you have no limitations. Stop whining and looking for something for nothing. You're owed nothing!!!!! Trump spoke the truth. It may hurt, but too bad."
No value assignedWhen challenged online, Strumlauf responded with a second Facebook post: "Quick to fire back," it read. "All lives matter!!! The ridicule against Trump is enough and uncalled for. The discussion today on 103.3 was completely wrong and not in support of our country or our new president Trump!! T&g is a happy place and respects all!!"
After screenshots of his comments went viral, Strumlauf issued an apology for referring to the station in that manner saying after listening to show that he was "disturbed by the continued unrest and negativity facing this country. I completely understand the struggles we all face and its time to put this all to rest." He then deleted his account.
V-103 afternoon DJ and former host of BET's "Rap City" and 1"06 & Park," Big Tigger, took to social media to say he would stop patronizing the club. A local activist group, Missing 24, issued a challenge for the owners to "sit down and discuss ways to show support for the African-American community," and is planning a boycott of the club and Mr. Strumlauf's other businesses.
No value assigned“A lot of people who support Donald Trump feel empowered now to make comments like that and pass it off like it’s nothing,” said Tiwa Works, an event planner who captured the screenshots. “It’s not right in this day and age, especially in Atlanta which is such a diverse and welcoming city.”
Tongue & Groove is one of the few nightclubs still operating after the closing of the Buckhead Village entertainment district in 2007. It moved to nearby Lindbergh City Center in 2008. On the club’s Facebook page, several patrons left reviews alleging the club is discriminatory toward black clientele by using an arbitrary dress code to deny them entry while allowing white patrons wearing similar clothing to enter.
No value assigned“As far as the station is concerned, the matter is closed,” said V-103 station manager Rick Caffey, who didn't specify which show or which listener comments Strumlauf may have been referring to. "Caffey said Strumlauf called the station to apologize to him, morning show DJ Ryan Cameron, and program director Reggie Rouse."
Tiwa Works isn’t convinced however.
“To hear those comments from the owner of a club heavily patronized by people of color was very disturbing, especially toward V-103 when the station has done events there. He apologized, but to me it’s not a sincere apology,” said Works. “The only reason he’s apologizing is because people are coming for him.”
Neither Strumlauf nor Tongue & Groove management immediately responded to requests for comments.