Now, Martina McBride, Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon and Trisha Yearwood are among those cancelling their scheduled performances at the Orlando marine theme park after pressure from animal rights groups and petitions on Change.org citing SeaWorld's alleged track record with in terms of treating its marine life.
Post by Martina McBride.
McBride follows REO Speedwagon, which announced the cancellation on Twitter yesterday (Dec. 14), while Yearwood confirmed her departure from the series Dec. 12 and Cheap Trick Dec. 11. A Change.org petition for McBride to cancel her show had reached over 20,000 signatures before meeting its goal.
The musicians follow Heart, Barenaked Ladies and Willie Nelson as other musicians that originally agreed to perform during the concert series but have since withdrawn amid public pressure. As it stands, only Justin Moore, Scotty McCreery and .38 Special still remain on the bill, though all have corresponding petitions to cancel as well.
Much of the cancellations stem from the "Blackfish" film, according to Billboard, which was released earlier this year. Discussing the captivity of killer whale Tilikum and its role in the deaths of three individuals, while decrying SeaWorld's alleged practices with many of its marine animals held at its parks. SeaWorld has dismissed the allegations in "Blackfish," calling the film inaccurate.
"We expect that other artists will be targeted in this campaign," says SeaWorld spokesman Nick Gollattscheck, told The Orlando Sentinel.
"The bands and artists have a standing invitation to visit any of our parks to see firsthand or to speak to any of our animal experts to learn for themselves how we care for animals and how little truth there is to the allegations made by animal-extremist groups opposed to the zoological display of marine mammals," he said.
Bookings for Bands, Brew & BBQ fest will continue, SeaWorld officials have said.
"We’ll announce our full lineup when all artists have been confirmed," Gollattscheck says.
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