Martina McBride Will No Longer Perform At Freedom 250 Concert, Says Event Was ‘Misleading’
“I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading.”
Photo Courtesy Of Martina McBride
Martina McBride will no longer be performing at Freedom 250 Presents: The Great American State Fair and has issued a statement to “clear the air” after facing backlash over her involvement in the event, explaining that what she was told about the show no longer aligned with what was actually taking place.
On Wednesday, it was announced that McBride would join a lineup featuring Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida, Bret Michaels, and others as part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The event, set to take place June 25 through July 10 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was announced by Freedom 250, an initiative reportedly created by the Interior Department to serve as the branding for the nation’s 250th celebrations. According to NBC News, Freedom 250 is a public-private partnership backed by President Donald Trump.
Now, McBride has officially withdrawn from the event.
The CMA Award-winning singer took to social media to explain her decision to step away from the lineup.
“I will not be performing at the Great American State Fair on June 25th. I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading. I asked lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states,” she wrote. “In my mind I thought this was a great way to celebrate the states and also bring people together in the way that only music can. I saw it as just a bigger version of so many state fairs I have performed at over the years, celebrating community and what makes each state special. Sounds fun, right? Wholesome even. Yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.”
She continued, “I’ve spent my entire career singing songs about real people with real issues. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be a voice for those who have felt like they didn’t have one. It greatly upsets me that any fan who has been moved by my music may now feel like I’m abandoning the meaning behind those songs. I assure you, that is not the case. I appreciate every single fan who has reached out. I hope to get back to the DC area very soon.”
McBride isn’t the only artist to distance themselves from the event. Several other acts, including Morris Day & The Time, Young MC, Milli Vanilli, and The Commodores, have also removed themselves from the lineup.
“The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event,” Young MC wrote on social media. “I hope to perform in D.C. in the near future at an event that is not so politically charged.”
The Commodores also shared a statement, writing, “our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party. We support the betterment of all Americans.”
Several artists showed support for Martina McBride’s decision in the comments section, including Sheryl Crow, who wrote, “Martina, you are a beautiful artist, mother, citizen, American. You have always been exactly as you are in this moment… authentic and real. So moved by you and proud to know you.”
Ashley McBryde, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild, Brittney Spencer, and others also applauded her decision.
This 16-day event will feature musical performances, a 100-foot Ferris wheel, special movie screenings, and more. According to the official event website, it is a celebration of “the triumph of the American Spirit.”
UPDATE: Bret Michaels has also dropped out of the event. “Unfortunately, what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of…. Because of that, I have made the difficult decision to step away from this performance.”
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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