Martina Cancels SeaWorld Performance

MartinaMcBrideShine4(2009,KristinBarlowe)Martina McBride has joined the list of artists who have dropped out of performing at SeaWorld’s upcoming annual Bands, Brew & BBQ event taking place in 2014.

Martina posted on her Facebook: “I’ve decided that given all the issues that have been aired recently, the time isn’t right for me to play at SeaWorld. I have canceled my scheduled performance at the Bands, Blues & BBQ event in March 2014.”

Previous artists who have dropped out of the performance include Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood, Barenaked Ladies, Heart, Cheap Trick and REO Speedwagon.

The artists have all dropped out due to the documentary, Blackfish. The film focuses on the captivity of Tilikum, a killer whale who was involved in the deaths of three individuals. Tilikum was captured in 1983 off the coast of Iceland, was left in dark tanks for hours and was harassed by other captive whales leading to his aggression. SeaWorld has said that whales in captivity live longer – a claim that the documentary argues is absolutely untrue.

There are no acts currently listed on the website but both Justin Moore (and avid hunter) and Scott McCreery were previously scheduled to perform. Neither have announced their departure from the event yet – but expect that sometime this week.