More than a month after performing in Turning Point USA’s halftime show, Brantley Gilbert is opening up about the experience.
“It was a weird place for me. Hate is not my thing,” Gilbert, 41, exclusively shared with Us Weekly when celebrating his role as an investor and equity partner in Real American Beer. “I’m a husband and a dad, and protecting my kids is something I’m concerned with always. But this wasn’t something I’ve felt like I need to protect anybody from.”
The country singer added that when he signed up for the event, he “didn’t do it to be divisive.”
“This was something that was pitched to us as a patriotic event,” Gilbert explained. “I didn’t know if the other show was going to give a shout-out to veterans or active duty guys and girls, but I know if we played this one, we’d have the opportunity to do that. We played a patriotic song and two other songs that I’m really proud of and have had a lot of fun with, and as a dad, I thought it was cool that my kids got to watch a couple quarters of football and then watch their dad play some songs.”
Gilbert joined Kid Rock, Gabby Barrett and Lee Brice for Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show, broadcasted on YouTube. Bad Bunny headlined the official Super Bowl halftime show on NBC.
Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet later called the event a “massive success,” adding that the organization plans to put on a similar show during next year’s Super Bowl.
In his latest interview, Gilbert reminded music fans that country music isn’t always represented during the biggest football game of the year.
“One of the things that we found was it’s been 23 years since a country artist has been asked [to do the Super Bowl halftime show],” Gilbert shared with Us, referencing Shania Twain’s 2003 performance. “I know there’s some comments made, like, Beyoncé was asked and she released a country record. Cool enough.”
The “One Hell of an Amen” singer explained that he tries his best not to miss out on an opportunity to highlight the active duty men and women currently serving in the United States military.
He said Turning Point USA’s halftime show gave him the chance to do just that.
“It gave me an opportunity to further share my spotlight and my platform with people that deserve it, and those are the men and women that have selflessly served our country and endured sacrifices and losses that we’ll never understand,” he said. “If somebody’s waiting on me to be apologetic for that, they’re going to be waiting a while.”
As part of his role in Real American Beer, Gilbert is celebrating the brand’s full-flavor non-alcoholic beer RAB ZERO. One dollar from every case of RAB ZERO is donated to the USO, the nation’s leading charitable organization serving active-duty service members and military families.
“It’s not just for people who are in recovery and want to get alcohol out of their life,” Gilbert — who is 14 years sober — explained. “It’s for people that maybe you’re the driver tonight or maybe you’ve got to be up early in the morning. You got stuff for your kids. You got stuff for your job and you don’t really want a hangover to deal with. It’s for all types of social decisions and lifestyle choices.”
