Brantley Gilbert Blasts Artists for Quitting Patriotic Shows, Citing 20-Year Super Bowl Country Drought
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 16
Brantley Gilbert Blasts Artists for Quitting Patriotic Shows, Citing 20-Year Super Bowl Country Drought
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 16
Summary
Gilbert said artists who agree to patriotic events should not back out once criticism starts, calling that pattern "aggravating" after his own backlash over Turning Point USA’s Super Bowl-week halftime show.
The country singer framed his appearance as a business and family decision, saying he had just joined a new label, was paid to perform, and wanted his children to watch him play.
Gilbert said he did not expect the event to become politically divisive and argued his participation was not meant as a political statement.
His defense echoed a statement issued after the controversy, when he said he was proud of the choice, loves the country despite its flaws, and wanted to perform during a rare Super Bowl opportunity for a country artist.