Sharon native and four-time Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year Martina McBride was one of several artists who recently opted out of performing at President Donald J. Trump’s Great American State Fair music concerts.
The event was billed as a national celebration, which was to take place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. from June 25 through July 10 to honor America’s 250th birthday.
McBride is one of six artists or groups that has decided not to perform. Morris Day, Young MC, Milli Vanilli, The Commodores and Bret Michaels also will not take part.
The former Barber County resident, who is now among some of country music’s most iconic names, said she agreed to perform at a “nonpartisan” event in a statement released on her X (formerly known as Twitter) and Facebook accounts on May 28.
“…that turned out to be misleading,” she said in her statement of the event’s billing. “I asked a lot of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states.
“In my mind I thought this was a great way to celebrate the states and also bring people together in the way that on music can.”
McBride said she just saw the event as a typical State Fair on just a much larger scale.
“Sounds fun right?” the statement said. “Wholesome even. Yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.”
The country music star said she has spent her 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,” she said in her statement. “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.”
McBride’s post was met with an overwhelmingly large number responses from angry and disappointed fans.
Kelley Engstrom, who described herself as someone that “loved” McBride’s voice was left brokenhearted by the news. She called the singer’s decision “cowardly” and “anti-American.”
Others questioned her decision to pull out of the Great American State Fair event, while posting pictures of her at events hosted by Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Not all responses were negative, however, Gregory Hoodin said McBride “did the right thing.”
Amy Coplan thanked McBride for a “thoughtful message.”
“Your attitude reflects well upon our country, country music, & you & those who work with you,” Coplan’s response said. “Your interest in ensuring that the country come together & that all 50 states be celebrated makes it clear that your priorities are good ones.”
While the decision was met with some criticism locally, McBride received a lot of support from those that either still live in Barber County or are county natives living elsewhere.
The GHP asked whether locals agreed with the singer’s decision on its Facebook page, which drew nearly 150 interactions in about a 24-hour period, including 70 comments. The post was seen by nearly 7,000 viewers.
“I think if the event wasn’t supposed to be political and it wasn’t presented that way to her, then it’s the event organizers who should be held accountable, not her,” said Claudia Vollbracht.
Patrick Koch said as a “fellow American and native” to Barber County, “my heart stands with Martina.”
“You can’t get any more American than Martina,” he said.
McBride’s brother, Daryl Martin Schiff, even weighed in saying they were taught by their dad to stand up for what they believe in.
“She did just that. She held true to what she believes in,” Schiff said. “If you don’t love her because of this then you aren’t a fan of her amazing talent…….you are politically driven. And that doesn’t have anything to do with her talent or her loving heart.”
The President took to Truth to respond to the artists.
“We should have a giant MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN RALLY, for 250, instead of having overpriced singers, who nobody wants to hear, whose music is boring, and yet who do nothing but complain,” Trump’s said in his social media response. “Cancel it, just like I canceled by involvement with the failing and unsafe to be in Kennedy Center, because a Highly Conflicted, Crooked Federal Judge, said that I should not be allowed to spend my time and money in order to MAKE THE CENTER GREAT AGAIN, actually, far greater than it ever was before!”
Trump went on to say Saturday morning that he might replace the music lineup with a rally and his own speech.
“I understand Artists are getting “the yips” having to do with their performance on Wednesday, so I am thinking about bringing the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World, the man who gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime, and he does so without a guitar, the man who loves our Country more than anyone else, and the man who some say is the Greatest President in History (THE GOAT!), DONALD J. TRUMP, to take the place of these highly paid, Third Rate “Artists,” and give a major speech, rallying the Country forward like I have done ever since being President,” the President said via his Truth social media account. “Two years ago, the United States was DEAD. Now we have the “HOTTEST” Country anywhere in the World. I don’t want so-called “Artists” that get paid far too much money, who aren’t happy.
“I only want to be surrounded by Happy People, Smart People, Successful People, and People that know how to WIN. So, by copy of this TRUTH, I am ordering my Representatives to look at the feasibility of doing an AMERICA IS BACK Rally on Wednesday, Washington, D.C., same time, same location. Only Great Patriots invited – It will be a Wild and Beautiful Celebration of America!”
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