Backlash Continues: Opener Drops Out of Tim McGraw Sandy Hook Promise Concert

Country music star Tim McGraw is facing some backlash after he announced that he would headline a benefit concert for the Sandy Hook Promise, an organization that advocates for responsible gun ownership.

Opener Billy Currington announced he wouldn’t be participating on his Facebook page.

“Ive never been one to take on controversial issues - I’m a singer,” he wrote. “I do feel strongly about honoring and supporting the Sandy Hook community and will be making a donation to a local organization. I appreciate people’s freedom and passion for whatever cause they want to support, however, I am choosing to step aside from this fundraiser and will focus instead on the rest of the tour dates as I look forward to being on the road with Tim and Chase and having a blast with all of the fans.”

The Connecticut Citizens Defense League, a grassroots gun rights group issued a statement Friday about Tim McGraw’s participation in the event and thanked Currington for stepping down.

“We also wish to send a special thank you to country artist Billy Currington for stepping aside from this event, and for recognizing those behind it for exactly what they are,” he said.

Some people and publications are calling the benefit a promotion of gun control.

Headlines like , “Country Singer Tim McGraw to Headline Anti-Gun Concert in Connecticut” and “COUNTRY SINGERS TIM MCGRAW, BILLY CURRINGTON HEADLINING GUN CONTROL FUNDRAISER” can be seen on some online publications.

“McGraw has announced that he will headline the anti-constitution concert to benefit that anti-gun efforts in the Nutmeg State,” wrote Right Wing News.

The country singer also received negative comments from fans on his official Twitter account and on his Facebook page.

McGraw released a statement to the Washington Post that said he simply wanted to do something good for a community that is still recovering from gun violence.

“Let me be clear regarding the concert for Sandy Hook given much of the erroneous reporting thus far. As a gun owner, I support gun ownership,” McGraw said. “I also believe that with gun ownership comes the responsibility of education and safety – most certainly when it relates to what we value most, our children. I can’t imagine anyone who disagrees with that.”

A total of 20 children and six educators were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012 by shooter Adam Lanza. Lanza shot and killed his mother Nancy Lanza before the school shooting and committed suicide before police reached him.

Wilson said the organization has been watching McGraw’s fan base reaction and the reaction of county music fans in general.

“I sincerely believe that Tim was not aware that the organization known as ‘Sandy Hook Promise’ actually operates with a completely anti-2nd amendment agenda,” he said. “SHP (as they are known) has cheered on every piece of legislation in this state (and at the federal level) intended to curtail or eradicate our rights as law abiding Americans.”

He also accused McGraw of going ”Hollywood Country” in his statement.

McGraw said he identifies as a “blue dog Democrat” in a 2008 interview.

The concert is scheduled for July 17. McGraw said that 100 percent of the net proceeds will go to Sandy Hook Promise.

Touring band fiddle player Dean Brown is a longtime friend of Mark Barden, a musician and father of a child that was killed in the 2012 shooting.

The Sandy Hook Promise non-profit was created after the shooting and is led by family members of the shooting victims and community members.

It lists its mission as:

• Protect children from gun violence so no other parent experiences the loss of their child by engaging and empowering parents and communities with targeted prevention programs in the areas of mental wellness early-identification & intervention, social & emotional development and firearm safety & security.
• Help our community through this tragedy by providing resources and programs that foster connection, resiliency and overall wellness.

The organization gives tips on how to spot the signs and symptoms of a mental illness and if that person could be a danger to themselves and others. It points to a U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Department of education analysis that seven out of 10 acts of gun violence are preceded by at least one other person being told an act of violence would be committed.

Sandy Hook Promise also advocates for responsible gun ownership, including locking-up guns, according to its website.

The organization also encourages children, teens and young adults to reach out to others and be socially inclusive.

Not all the headlines and social media comments have been against McGraw. Some have come to his defense and criticized the backlash.

Fans on social media have already begun criticizing Currington’s decision for dropping out of the concert.

Related:

• Remembering Sandy Hook Victims 2 Years Later
• Adam Lanza: Report Probes Dark Interior Life of The Sandy Hook Shooter

Patch reporter Feroze Dhanoa contributed to this report