Martina McBride has become the latest artist to pull out of Freedom 250 Presents: The Great American State Fair, a 16-day festival in Washington, D.C., running June 25 through July 10 on the National Mall to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
The event was announced Wednesday by Freedom 250, which, according to Newsweek, the Interior Department declared to be the official branding of all 250th anniversary celebrations.
“I was presented with the opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading,” the four-time CMA Award-winning female vocalist of the year wrote on her Instagram on Thursday afternoon (May 28). “I asked lots 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 only music can. … Yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.”
McBride’s Instagram statement continued: “I’ve spent my entire career singing 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.”
In the comments section of her statement, McBride found support from fellow musicians, 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.” Jason Isbell simply commented, “WHEW,” with a hands-up emoji, while Ashley McBryde chimed in, “Amen.”
Other acts who have pulled out of the free event since Thursday are Morris Day & The Time, Young MC, Milli Vanilli and The Commodores. Artists still on the bill are Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida, Bret Michaels and C+C Music Factory.
In addition to music, The Great American State Fair will feature salutes to the military and themed days, including Military & Veterans Appreciation Day and Faith Values and Inspiration Day, as well as MAHA Monday, a day focused on Make America Healthy Again, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s key initiative.
Representatives for McBride and for Freedom 250 did not immediate respond to a request for comment.
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