Brantley Gilbert shares reason for performing at Turning Point USA halftime show

WASHINGTON, DC: Country music star Brantley Gilbert publicly defended his decision to perform in Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show, an alternative event scheduled the same night as the Super Bowl LX halftime show, saying his participation reflects personal conviction rather than an effort to be divisive.

Gilbert’s remarks come as conservative audiences prepare for the non-NFL broadcast headlined by Kid Rock, and as debate over cultural representation at major sporting events continues.

Turning Point USA, founded by late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, announced its “All-American Halftime Show” soon after Bad Bunny was revealed as the headliner of the official Super Bowl LX halftime show.

Brantley Gilbert frames participation in faith and family

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, February 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,” he said.

Brantley Gilbert calls for unity, not division

Brantley Gilbert also reiterated that he is "not playing the show to be divisive."

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.”

He also talked about the importance of country artists playing at the Super Bowl: “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.”

TPUSA’s alternative halftime show gathers attention

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 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.