Brantley Gilbert stands by his decision to perform at Turning Point USA’s rival halftime show.
“For those asking ‘who is Brantley Gilbert?’ and “why is he playing this event?” the 41-year-old country singer wrote in a lengthy statement shared via X on Friday, February 6. “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 home and make a living writing songs.”
Gilbert added that he is a “recovering addict with a history of making bad decisions that comes with it.”
“I’m not proud of that choice, but I’m proud of the choice I made to live in a different direction,” he continued. “I share my story through my music, hoping that it can help and inspire others in their darkest hour.”
Turning Point USA, the conservative and right-wing organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, is hosting its own Super Bowl LX halftime show. “That’s right, Turning Point USA is thrilled to announce The All-American Halftime Show,” read a statement from October 2025 X, noting that the concert will celebrate “faith, family and freedom.” The All-American Halftime Show (…)
Gilbert also explained that his “Christian” faith, “love” for America and being a father are major parts of his identity.
“I love our country, despite its flaws. I have dedicated part of my life to the men and women who fight for it and the families of those who gave their lives for it,” he wrote. “Most of all, I’m a proud husband and father of three.”
However, his decision to say yes to the Turning Point USA concert was due to the fact that an artist from the county has not performed at the Super Bowl halftime show in the last two decades.
“We’re celebrating 250 years as a country, and it’s been over 20 years since a country artist was asked to play the Super Bowl halftime show. I respect that some people see it differently, but I’m not doing this show to be divisive,” he explained. “They gave me this opportunity and I envisioned my kids watching their dad perform at halftime during the biggest game in American football. Everything I do, I do for them.”
Gilbert continued, “The way we treat people is not conditioned on what our differences may be. I believe that ‘united we stand, divided we fall’ and my prayer for our country is that we stand together.”
This year’s Super Bowl Sunday will feature more than just a fierce battle on the football field — there will also be two competing halftime shows. Turning Point USA, the right-wing conservative political organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, announced the lineup for its inaugural All American Halftime Show on Monday, February 2nd. (…)
The musician expressed his gratitude for his “family on the road” and the fans who have “put him by his side.”
“Looking forward to getting on stage this Sunday and giving people a great show,” Gilbert concluded.
After Bad Bunny was selected as the musical act for Super Bowl LX, some conservative critics expressed disappointment with the choice since the Puerto Rican rapper primarily sings in Spanish. Turning Point USA, the organization founded by the late political activist Charlie Kirk and now his widow rules Erika Kirkhe later revealed that they were doing their own show. they staged their all-America halftime show that celebrates “faith, family and freedom.” Gilbert announced himself as one of the performers next to Kid Rock, Lee Brice i Gabby Barrett.
The concert will be broadcast on Turning Point’s social channels and Sinclair Broadcast Group’s OTT channel CHARGE! It will also be available on Samsung Plus, YouTube TV, Hulu, Sling, Daily Wire+, Real America’s Voice and One America News Network.