While sometimes mistaken identity can lead to some rather interesting and hilarious mix-ups, no one is laughing at the moment when it comes to Aussie muso Jason Owen, who has been mistakenly targeted by members of the American far-right due to having the same name as an outspoken music executive.

As Pollstar reports, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee has recently come under fire for his recent stint as a member of the board for the CMA Foundation.

Following just one day in the position, the pro-gun, anti-gay politician tendered his resignation. He later posted a statement to his website titled “Hate Wins”, where he explained, “I genuinely regret that some in the industry were so outraged by my appointment that they bullied the CMA and the Foundation with economic threats and vowed to withhold support for the programs for students if I remained.”

One of the most outspoken critics of Huckabee was Jason Owen, the co-president of Monument Records and owner of Sandbox Entertainment, who claimed that he felt Huckabee’s appointment was a “grossly offensive decision.”

“It is with a heavy heart that I must let you know moving forward, Sandbox and Monument will no longer support the CMA Foundation in any way (this includes everyone we represent collectively) considering the heartbreaking news shared today regarding Mike Huckabee appointee/elected to the CMA Foundation,” Owen wrote in a letter to CMA chief executive Sarah Trahern following the announcement recently.

So how does this relate to an Australian musician? Well, it just so happens that when conservative politicians are criticised, those who speak out against them receive horrible messages, and in this case, an Aussie muso who also shares the name Jason Owen has been targeted.

Taking to Facebook yesterday, Aussie country pop singer Jason Owen, who is best known as the runner-up in the 2012 season of The X Factor, revealed that having the same name as the US industry exec has resulted in some unwanted attention.

“Hi all. As you may have noticed, over the past 36 hours, I’ve been targeted, abused and dragged into a case of mistaken identity,” Owen wrote on Facebook.

“People are confusing me with Jason Owen from Monument Records/Sandbox Management in the USA. I am NOT him. I’m a young country singer in Australia, with nothing to do with the situation involving Jason Owen of Sandbox, Mike Huckabee, or the CMA.”

In fact, as the Lexington Herald Leader reports, the Aussie Jason Owen isn’t the only musician on the receiving end of these awful messages, with a musician from Kentucky also seeing needless hate.

“I have received threats and other nasty comments from people who support Mike Huckabee, even though I had nothing to do with what happened,” Owens said. “I have been called a bully; I have been called trash and un-American. It’s crazy.”

“I am just a musician,” he continued. “I keep politics out of my shows. I just want to entertain the fans.”

To his credit, Mike Huckabee has jumped into the ring again, calling out those who have been attacking the American Jason Owen. “Just saw this; should be reminder to do 2 things: 1-get facts straight and don’t believe cause it’s “on the internet.” 2-bullying someone or threatening someone’s livelihood is WRONG,” he wrote on Twitter.

While no one should ever be attacked for standing up for what they believe in, we also believe that those who have absolutely nothing to do with the issue should be allowed to be left out of the issue completely. Here’s hoping that these hateful, vitriolic messages cease for each and every Jason Owen involved in this mess.

Check out the Australian Jason Owen performing ‘My Last’:

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