Entertainment
Big Name Acts Cancel SeaWold Shows After 'Blackfish' But Do They Really Care About the Cause?
Busch Gardens is scrounging to save their "Bands, Brew & BBQ" concert scheduled for this weekend after its sister park, SeaWorld, got caught with fishy laundry in the new documentary Blackfish , released in October.
The documentary, which explores the possible animal cruelty caused by SeaWorld by keeping killer whales in captivity for the park's entertainment purposes, has attracted some serious attention to the park's questionable activity. It has caused so much controversy that social media users have launched campaigns urging the concert's scheduled performers to back out of this weekend's concert in protest. So far, it's been working.
Ten of the 14 music artists scheduled to appear throughout the concert have called it quits, including the Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, and Pat Benatar. SeaWorld is left with Alan Jackson, Justin Moore, Scotty McCreery, and Kid Rock, all of which have yet to bail on this sad, sad, scene. Are you thinking what we're thinking? Because we barely recognize any of those names now, anyway.
While we'll leave Busch Gardens with it's less-than-thrilling lineup, we also must question the excuses of the performers that have already cancelled. While they all cite the inappropriateness of performing following the Blackfish controversy as their reason for calling it quits, we wonder whether their efforts are sincere or if they are just following the trendy wave. Let's take a look.
Trace Adkins
Trace Adkins has raised thousands of dollars for charity on Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice.
The Verdict: Trace is a tough cowboy, but we think he genuinely cares.
Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar is a fierce female vocalist, but hasn’t had much prominence in the world of philanthropy or animal activism.
The Verdict: She hit you with her best shot, but that’s all she’s got.
Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson is completely serious about his cancellation. The infamous country singer has championed for the well-being of animals all throughout his career. He campaigned for the passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Animal Welfare Institute and has written angry letters to Land O’ Lakes for using milk from calves that were improperly confined.
The Verdict: Willie is the Mother Teresa of animals.
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick’s last album was in 2009 and they have yet to make any kind of musical impact since the early ’80s. The last thing they want to do now is both any of the fans they have left.
The Verdict: Their cancellation is just a cheap trick.
Trisha Yearwood
Trisha Yearwood is incredibly active in philanthropy and has designated a great portion of her career working for charities like Habitat for Humanity and the Children’s Foundation.
The Verdict: She has a heart of gold, not a publicist.
38 Special
…Who are they again?
The Verdict: They’re all washed up and trying to swim back to shore one PC move at a time.
Heart
Heart’s connection to the animals? Their album! The duo produced an album called Bad Animals in 1987. The album went on to become a commercial success, with some of its hit singles including “There’s The Girl” and “Who Will You Run To.” Evidently, animals have provided the ladies with some serious musical inspiration and the last thing they probably want to do is soil that relationship.The Verdict: They are never going to mess with the animals.
Barenaked Ladies
The Barenaked Ladies have zero connection to animal welfare, except for the fact that they have hearts and have seen the film.
The Verdict: They’re playing it safe, much like their career.
Beach Boys
The Beach Boys have based their entire legendary career on the surf and sun that even their name pays tribute to the ocean. The last thing they would want to do is tarnish their squeaky clean image by performing at a venue that mistreats sea creatures.
The Verdict: They have a soft spot for marine life.
Martina McBride
While Martina McBride has spent a lot of time raising money for breast cancer charities, she hasn’t publicly displayed any real care for animal cruelty up until this point. But, a 20,000 signature petition created by her fans seemed to change her mind about performing at the concert.
The Verdict: She might be just saving face.
