Country singer Brantley Gilbert is speaking out regarding his upcoming performance as part of the Turning Point USA “All-American Halftime Show,” which is being billed as an alternative to the NFL’s official Super Bowl halftime show.
The official Super Bowl LX halftime show will feature Grammy winner Bad Bunny, who is from Puerto Rico, an American territory, and who performs almost exclusively in Spanish. Turning Point USA, founded by late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, announced its “All-American Halftime Show” soon after Bunny was revealed as the halftime headliner. The TPUSA show is aimed at being a “counterprogram” to the official Super Bowl halftime show, with Turning Point noting the show has the aim of “celebrating faith, family and freedom.”
The lineup for the Turning Point event, set for Super Bowl Sunday this weekend, includes Kid Rock, Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett.
Gilbert, known for hits including “Country Must Be Country Wide” and “Bottoms Up,” addressed those who questioned his involvement in the show by posting a statement via Instagram on Friday (Feb. 6).
“For those asking ‘who is Brantley Gilbert?’ and ‘why is he playing this event?’ I’m a songwriter who grew up, and still lives in Jackson County, Ga., whose goal in the music business was to sell out the local theater a few miles from my house and somehow make my living writing songs,” Gilbert wrote.
He continued, “I’m a recovering addict with the history of all the bad choices that come with it. I’m not proud of those choices, but I am proud of the choice I’ve made to live in another direction. I share my story through my music, in hopes that it may help and inspire others in their darkest hour. I’m a Christian, and I love our country, despite its flaws. I’ve dedicated part of my life to the men and women who fight for it, and the families of those who gave their life for it. Above all, I’m a proud husband and father of three. We’re celebrating 250 years as a country, and it’s been more than 20 years since a country artist has been asked to play the Super Bowl halftime show. I respect that some people may see this differently, but I’m not playing this show to be divisive. I was offered this opportunity and imagined my kids watching their daddy perform at halftime during the biggest game in American Football. Everything I do, I do for them.”
He added, “The way I treat people isn’t conditional based on what our differences may be. I believe ‘united we stand, divided we fall,’ and my prayer for our country is that we stand united. Thank you to my road family and all the fans who have stood beside me. Looking forward to hitting the stage this Sunday and giving folks a hell of a show.”
The Turning Point USA halftime show will air on Turning Point USA social media channels, as well as on platforms including The Daily Wire and TBN.
Super Bowl LX is set for Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, as the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots. The Super Bowl will air on NBC, with livestreaming available on Peacock.