Daron Norwood Apologizes for School Speech

Daron Norwood has publicly apologized following public uproar about his behavior at a Sept. 22 school assembly in Panhandle, Texas.

The singer, whose 1990s hits include “Cowboys Don’t Cry,” was accused of frightening Panhandle High School students during an appearance billed as a motivational speech about staying away from drugs. “The situation in Panhandle is very damaging to my soul,” he told local TV station KWES. “It cost me. It cost me with God, because I made him a promise I’d do my best for him.” Attendees told the station that he spent an hour and 45 minutes shouting at students and faculty, using inappropriate language, shooting basketball and playing music while barely addressing the subject of drug abuse. A fire alarm was finally pulled in order to end the assembly, and police were called to make him leave the school.

• published September 29, 2009