Aaron Lewis: Music Industry Blacklisted Me Over Politics
Rock musician Aaron Lewis claims music industry venues and executives have blacklisted him for his patriotic beliefs, saying he no longer gets invited to the Grand Ole Opry despite past appearances.
The 54-year-old artist, best known as the lead vocalist and founding member of Staind, addressed the issue during a recent appearance on the “Pickin’ It Out with Andrew Pope” podcast, where he discussed his forthcoming album and the price he’s paid for his political stance.
Aaron Lewis explained that political correctness has poisoned the entertainment business, according to New York Post. He revealed he no longer receives invitations to perform at the Grand Ole Opry despite having appeared there numerous times in the past.
The reason, Lewis stated, is simple: his belief in America. All because I believe in this beautiful, amazing country, he said.
Lewis founded Staind in the mid-1990s and remained with the band through the early 2000s before launching a solo career in 2010. Reflecting on his three-decade career, he expressed gratitude for still being able to perform after nearly 30 years in the business.
Despite Staind now being eligible for the Hall of Fame, Lewis predicted the honor would never materialize.
His sixth solo album, “Give My Country Back,” is scheduled for release on July 17. During the podcast interview, Lewis and Pope expressed hope that fans would be able to locate the record, acknowledging that mainstream platforms have made his work difficult to find.
Lewis isn’t alone in facing professional consequences for his political views. Vanilla Ice recently drew fire after agreeing to perform at the Great American State Fair, part of President Trump-backed Freedom 250 celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary.
Following the lineup announcement on May 29, several artists including Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Young MC, the Commodores, and Morris Day withdrew from the event.
Vanilla Ice defended his participation, saying he’s just an entertainer and shouldn’t be dragged into political controversies. He emphasized that music exists to bring people together and that Americans should celebrate their country as one.
While he chose to honor his commitment, the rapper said he didn’t fault other artists for their decisions, noting they had their own reasons. He added that he felt honored to celebrate his nation.
With information from New York Post
