Openly gay country music star Adam Mac has pulled out of a Kentucky music festival after organisers expressed “concerns” over his sexuality.
Earlier this week, the Logan County Tobacco and Heritage Festival announced that the ‘Disco Cowboy’ singer was headlining their Grand Finale Concert event – which was set to take place in his hometown of Russellville, Kentucky.
However, days after the news was made public, Mac surprised fans when he announced that his performance would no longer happen.
“This is not the video that I thought I would be making today, but here we are,” he said in an Instagram video uploaded on 21 September.
“I got a call yesterday from someone who works on the board, who has been so sweet, who organised getting me booked for the event and was so excited to have me come down.
“She explained to me that there were some board members and some people in town who had questions about what kind of performance I would be putting on at the Tobacco Festival.”
Mac went on to say that the concerned individuals wanted to ensure he wouldn’t be “promoting homosexuality or sexuality” during the “family-friendly” event.
“I don’t know what they expected I was going to do other than just come and out on a hell of a show, like we do. It was made aware to me that there were people in town that were very upset that they would have a gay person headline the festival,” he continued.
View this post on Instagram
The ‘Chapel’ singer then expressed his disappointment over receiving anti-LGBTQIA+ hate and the fact that members of his hometown would be protesting his performance.
“It’s just so disheartening, and I went back and forth all night long about what is the right thing to do, because a part of me feels like it would be letting down the people who need to see me most there in that space and the people who just were excited for me to come home and put on a show,” he said.
“It also feels like if I don’t do the show, I’m caving and letting those people, which, also, if you know me is not something that I like to do. It’s hard for me to say this, but I think the best move forward is to cancel the show and let them book someone else who will not be as controversial, I guess.”
Shortly after uploading his heartbreaking announcement, Mac’s comment section was inundated with supportive messages from fans and his country music peers.
Maren Morris, who recently announced her departure from country music, wrote: “You are loved. I’m sorry this happened, but glad you’re sharing it here.”
Kelsea Ballerini echoed similar sentiments, commenting: “This is heartbreaking and so disappointing. I’m really sorry. You’ve got your army in these comments.”
Brandy Clark also supported Mac, stating: “This is heartbreaking… BUT it is THEIR loss.”
As of this writing, officials for the festival and the Logan County Chamber of Commerce have yet to comment on Mac’s statement.
They did, however, announce the event’s cancellation in a vague Facebook post.
Latest
