Country star Adam Mac has pulled out of the annual Logan County Tobacco and Heritage Festival in Kentucky.
This comes after concern over his sexuality arose from festival board members. Fears of the show being “too gay” was the driving factor.
Mac stated that the board member who brought him on also brought up the concerns.
“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, and wanted to ensure that I would not be promoting homosexuality or sexuality in a family-friendly environment,” he said. “I don’t know what they expected I was going to do other than just come and put on a hell of a show, like we do. It was made aware to me that there were people in the town that were very upset that they would have a gay person headline the festival.”
The canceled show was first announced on the festival’s Facebook account.
“The Logan County Chamber of Commerce and the Logan County Tobacco & Heritage Festival Grand Finale Concert and Fireworks to be held on October 14, 2023, has been canceled due to circumstances beyond our control,” it said in a statement. “We thank our Sponsors for this event, Summers & Son Funeral Home, Independence Bank, and The City of Russellville. We look forward to seeing you at other festival events.”
Shortly after, Mac went to TikTok to explain the decision and regret over leaving his fans hanging.
“[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 so 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 win, 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.”
In the aftermath of the cancelation, many ticket holders have asked for a refund. Supporters of Mac and the LGBTQ community say they do not want to support an event that engages in discrimination.
Along with fans, other notable country stars have voiced their support of Mac. Singer Karen Morris, who has stood with drag performers amidst the rise of anti-drag and anti-trans sentiment, praised Mac.
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Other singers like Kelsea Ballerini and Brandy Clark also voiced their support, calling the situation “heartbreaking” and “ridiculous.”
