Brantley Gilbert calls out artists who back out of patriotic shows
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Brantley Gilbert doesn’t mince words about entertainers who attend patriotic events but walk away when public criticism begins.
During a recent appearance “Net Positive” podcastThe country star said he was disappointed that other artists backed out of their performances after agreeing to participate, pointing to the backlash he received for performing during Turning Point USA’s “All-American Halftime Show” during the Super Bowl, which was headlined by Kid Rock.
“It gets worse to see guys sign up and then back out,” Gilbert said. “Most of the time, it feels like we were put under a lot of pressure for the Turning Point thing.”
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Brantley Gilbert harshly criticized artists who did not participate in patriotic activities. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Gilbert explained that from his perspective, the decision was never about politics.
“My kids got to watch two-quarters of football and then watch their dad play. It’s great,” he said.
The “Bottoms Up” singer added that she sees the performance as both a business opportunity and an unforgettable family experience.
“We decided to do this. Like, I’m a businessman, but I’m also an entertainer,” Gilbert said. “I didn’t do this for free. We get paid to play music.”
At the time, Gilbert said he had recently signed with a new record label, so a high-profile appearance was an easy decision.
“We had just signed to a new label at the time,” he explained. “It wasn’t a bad idea for us to do a big show like this.”
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Gilbert appeared on Turning Point USA’s “All-American Halftime Show” during the Super Bowl earlier this year. (Getty Images)
Gilbert said he never expected the event to become politically divisive.
“Not once did I look at it and think, ‘This is going to be divisive. This is going to be great,'” he said. “This doesn’t make any sense.”
The country singer also dismissed criticism of her Super Bowl halftime show starring Bad Bunny, saying she didn’t care who was performing.
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“I don’t know anything about that man [Bad Bunny],” Gilbert said. “I’ve never heard one of his songs before. I don’t speak Spanish really well. I don’t understand.”
Although Gilbert did not identify any artists who withdrew from patriotic or politically proximate events, he made clear that he believed artists should honor the commitments they made voluntarily, even if the public reaction was negative.
Gilbert said his involvement was a business decision. (C Flanigan/FilmMagic)
After receiving backlash for his appearance on Turning Point’s halftime show, Gilbert said he was “proud” of the choices he continues to make both personally and professionally.
“I am a songwriter who grew up and still lives in Jackson County, Georgia, whose goal in the music business was to sell out the local theater a few miles from my home and somehow make a living writing songs,” he said in a statement at the time.
“I am a recovering addict with a history of all the bad choices that come with it. I am not proud of those choices, but I am proud of the choice I made to live in another direction.
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“I share my story through my music in the hope that it will help and inspire others in their darkest moments. I am a Christian and I love our country, despite its flaws. I have dedicated part of my life to the men and women who fought for it and the families of those who gave their lives for it. First and foremost, I am a proud husband and father of three children.”
Gilbert added that he wanted to perform for his children and that it had been more than 20 years since a country artist was asked to perform during the Super Bowl halftime show.
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“We’re celebrating our 250th anniversary as a country, and it’s been over 20 years since a country artist was asked to perform in the Super Bowl halftime show. I respect that some people may see it differently, but I’m not doing this show to be divisive. I was offered this opportunity and envisioned my kids watching their dad perform at halftime of the biggest game in American football. Everything I do, I do for them,” he said.
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“The way I treat people doesn’t depend on what our differences may be. I think, ‘United we stand, divided we fall,’ and my prayer for our country is that we stand united.”
