Rhett Walker Criticizes TBN for Airing TPUSA Halftime Show Celebrating Alcohol
Michael Foust
Audio By Carbonatix
By Michael Foust, Crosswalk.com
A Grammy-nominated Christian singer is criticizing faith channel TBN for airing Turning Point USA’s alternative Super Bowl halftime show, saying the broadcast included songs promoting alcohol and was out of step with the network’s Christ-centric mission.
TPUSA’s alternative halftime show included country artists along with Kid Rock and was broadcast on multiple platforms, including YouTube, Rumble, Real America’s Voice, and Trinity Broadcasting Network, better known as TBN. That latter channel typically broadcasts sermons and faith-centric programming – but on Sunday night, it aired a very different kind of lineup.
The halftime featured country stars Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, with Kid Rock capping the night.
Rhett Walker, a Grammy-nominated and Dove-nominated artist known for such hits as Believer, Man on the Middle Cross, and When Mercy Found Me, said the broadcast crossed a line for TBN.
“What are we doing, TBN?” Walker wrote on his Instagram Sunday night. “... Big ups for drinking and driving … I wasn't even allowed to wear a hat when I went on TBN out of ‘reverence.’”
He continued: “I’m cool to agree to disagree … But you had a chance to offer an opportunity to worship. An opportunity to point people to where hope is found. Instead, you reminded people they could be a part of the drinking crowd.”
The TPUSA event was dubbed The All-American Halftime Show and promoted as “celebrating faith, family, and freedom.” The event did spotlight faith, but it also featured several songs that promoted imbibing.
Walker took issue with Gilbert’s song Dirt Road Anthem, which included the recurring lyric, “Smoke rolling out the window, an ice-cold beer sitting in the console.” Brice sang his hit song Drinking Class, which featured the line: “I belong to the drinking class; Monday through Friday, man we bust our backs; if you're one of us; raise your glass; I belong to the drinking class.” Brice debuted a new song, Country Nowadays, that referenced Jesus and received high praise from viewers on social media, yet also included a reference to beer.
Kid Rock performed an abbreviated version of his hit song Bawitdaba, delivering an uncensored excerpt that included the lyrics: “This is for the questions that don't have any answers; the midnight glancers, and the topless dancers; the can of freaks, cars packed with speakers; the Gs with the 40s and the chicks with beepers … All you b-----ds at the I.R.S.; for the crooked cops and the cluttered desks; for the shots of Jack and the caps of meth; half pints of love and the fifths of stress; all the hookers that are tricking out in Hollywood; and for my hoods of the world misunderstood; I said it's all good and it's all in fun; now get in the pit and try to love someone!”
Walker stood firm after receiving pushback from some fans. He acknowledged the program included faith elements, but said that didn’t excuse the rest of the content: “I’m taking issue with all the other info and lyrics about drunkenness and cheating and sex being shared on a gospel network. Pretty simple.”
Kid Rock ended the show with a version of Cody Johnson’s song ‘Til You Can’t, a thought-provoking track that reminds listeners of their mortality and urges them to love those around them each day. Kid Rock – performing under his real name, Robert Ritchie – added a faith-centric verse, singing: “There’s a book sitting in your house somewhere that could use some dusting off. There’s a Man who died for all our sins hanging from the cross. You can give your life to Jesus, and He’ll give you a second chance. Till you can’t.”
The TPUSA halftime show drew more than 5 million fans on YouTube alone.
Related Article
TPUSA Reveals Alternative Halftime Show Lineup, Led by Kid Rock and Country Stars
Photo Credit: ©BEC Recording
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
