" Garth has been on the right-hand side of history many times . This is just him doing it again . " — Brandi Carlile
Country music starGarth Brooks, one of thebestselling music artists of all time, is opening a bar in Nashville calledFriends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk— named after his famous ’90s song “Friends in Low Places.”
Garth is being boycotted by conservatives after heavily implying that he will serve Bud Light beer at his new bar amid the conservative boycott of the beer brand for partnering with transgender influencerDylan Mulvaney.
At a panel with “Billboard Country Live” on June 6th, Garth stated: “We’re going to serve every brand of beer … we just are. It’s not our decision to make. Our thing is this: If you [are let] into this house, love one another. If you’re an asshole, there are plenty of other places on Lower Broadway.”
Garth continued, “I want it to be a place you feel safe in; I want it to be a place where you feel like there are manners and people like one another.”
Garth has taken a stance in opposition to fellow country music singer and Nashville bar owner John Rich, who stopped selling Bud Light amid the controversy with the brand. John commented on Garth’s position on the topic, tellingFox News Digital, “If Garth is serving Bud Light in his bar, that’s fine. Garth can do that. Garth might find out not many people are going to order it.”
Republican politiciansand conservative fans have already started attacking Garth online for his position, with many using the hashtag #BoycottGarthBrooks.
One former fan arrogate to have thrown away Garth ’s music for " sour his back on the USA , " while another tweeted that they " hope his bar fail and he sound stone-broke for what he say . "
Famous members of the LGBTQ community have shown support for Garth’s stance, including singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile, who tweeted this message:
I ’m down ! He ’s an absolute gemstone and by the way- let ’s not bury that Garth has been on the right side of history many times . This is just him doing it again ❤ ️ 🤘 https://t.co/1S1KyW7Hwo
Actor George Takei also showed his support:
resist up for what ’s right.https://t.co/rJns3fKZFG
Garth reiterated his position on the issue during aFacebook livestreamon June 13: “Inclusiveness, that’s me. It’s always been me … I get it, everybody’s got their opinions … I think diversity is the answer to the problems that are here and the answer to the problems that are coming. … So if you wanna come into Friends in Low Places … come in with love … come in with tolerance, patience; come in with an open mind.”
❤ ️GARTH BROOKS : “ variety . Inclusiveness . That ’s me . That ’s always been me … diverseness is the answer to our problems . If you arrive to our bar , come in with lovemaking . ”@garthbrooksaddresses the unhinged backlash to his NASHVILLE bar carrying Bud Light . This is leadership.pic.twitter.com/f6SSY9nZbC
This isn’t the first time Garth has faced public controversy for his positions on inclusivity. In 2021, he was boycotted by conservative fans for agreeing to perform at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, stating, “The message they’re pushing is unity, and that’s right down my alley, man. If we’re gonna get anywhere, we’re gonna get there together,” according toNewsweek.
Garth is one of the fewcountry music LGBTQ allieswho have been outspoken about tolerance and equality. He won aGLAAD Awardin 1993 for his song “We Shall Be Free,” which is about fighting for a world where everyone is free to be who they are.
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“Garth has been on the right side of history many times. This is just him doing it again.” —Brandi Carlile
