Brantley Gilbert isn’t talking about entertainers who attend patriotic events only to walk away when public criticism begins.
During a recent appearance on the Net Positive podcast, the country star said it’s frustrating to see fellow artists pull out of performances after agreeing to perform, and pointed to the backlash he received for his appearance on Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show during the Super Bowl, which was headlined by Kid Rock.
“It’s frustrating to see participants sign up and then leave,” Gilbert said. “I feel like I put a lot of energy into “Turning Point.”
Gilbert explained that from his perspective, this decision was never about politics.
“The kids got to watch two quarters of the football and then watch their dad play, which is great,” he said.
The “Bottoms Up” singer added that she sees the performance as both a business opportunity and a memorable experience for her family.
“We agreed to do it. I’m an entertainer as well as a businessman,” Gilbert said. “I don’t do it for free. We get paid to play music.”
At the time, Gilbert said the high-profile appearance was an easy decision since he had recently signed with a new record label.
“At the time, we had just signed to a new label,” he explained. “It wasn’t a bad idea for us to do a big show like this.”
Gilbert said he did not expect the event to become politically divisive.
“I never looked at this and thought, ‘This is going to be divisive, this is going to be great,'” he said. “That doesn’t make sense.”
The country singer also dismissed criticism surrounding the Super Bowl halftime show, which featured Bad Bunny as the headliner, saying he doesn’t care who performs.
“I don’t know anything about that guy (Bad Bunny),” Gilbert said. “I’ve never heard any of his songs before. I don’t speak much Spanish. I wouldn’t understand.”
Gilbert did not identify specific artists who have withdrawn from patriotic or politically adjacent events, but made it clear that he believes performers should honor the commitments they voluntarily make, even if the public reaction is negative.
Gilbert, who faced backlash for participating in Turning Point’s halftime show, said he is “proud” of the choices he continues to make both personally and professionally.
“I’m a songwriter who grew up and still lives in Jackson County, Georgia. My goal in the music industry was to fill local theaters a few miles from my home and somehow make a living writing songs,” he said in a statement at the time.
“I’m a recovering addict with a history of all the bad choices that come with that. I’m not proud of those choices, but I’m proud of the choices I made to live my life in a different direction.
“I share my story through music in hopes of helping and inspiring people in their darkest times. I am a Christian and I love this country, despite its flaws. I have dedicated a portion of my life to the men and women who fight for our country and the families of those who have given their lives for our country. Most of all, I am a proud husband and father of three.”
Gilbert added that he wanted to perform for his children and said it was the first time in more than 20 years that a country artist was asked to perform at Super Bowl halftime.
“We’re celebrating our 250th anniversary, and this is the first time in over 20 years that a country artist has been asked to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show. I respect that some people may see this differently, but I’m not doing this show to be divisive.
“When I was offered this opportunity, I imagined my children watching their father perform at halftime of the biggest game in American football. Everything I do, I do for them,” he said.
“The way I treat people is not conditioned by our differences. I believe that ‘united we stand, divided we fall.’ My prayer for our nation is that we stand united.”
