CHICAGO - While the Southern rock band Confederate Railroad's name and use of Confederate flag was offensive enough to cancel the band's performance at the DuQuoin State Fair next month, Snoop Dogg's album cover featuring the rap artist standing over a lifeless-appearing Donald Trump is not enough to cancel Snoop Dogg's appearance at the State Fair.
That's what State Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) reported on her Facebook page after meeting with two high-ranking members of Governor Pritzker's staff earlier this week.
"I have been trying to sort truth from fiction in the issue of entertainment decisions at our two State Fairs. I know people are polarized on the issue, but it is always important to get facts. While in Chicago today to attend a hearing I was able to secure a meeting with two high-ranking members of Gov. Pritzker’s Exec. Staff," she wrote. "I also asked Rep. Tim Butler to join us as he represents the State fairgrounds in Springfield."
Bryant said she wanted to identify for her constituents who made the call to cancel the contract with Confederate Railroad and the official reason as to why the group was cut.
"I also wanted to express my absolute disagreement with the cancelation. In addition, I wanted an explanation for the booking of Snoop Dogg in Springfield considering his album cover has a picture of what appears to be a dead President Trump on a slab covered with a flag while Snoop Dogg stands over him in a defiant manner," she wrote.
The officials, whom Rep. Bryant did not name, said she was told the Pritzker administration has a hard fast rule not to permit any use of the Confederate flag in any way. But their answer was dramatically different when Bryant asked about Snoop Dog's appearance.
"When I asked what their policy was pertaining to a sitting President being depicted in the way President Trump is depicted on Snoop Dogg’s album cover, they said, they had no such policy," she said. "In fact, I was told by one of the Governor’s staffers that I should use this case as a 'teachable moment' for the people of Southern Illinois. I am serious…that is what the staffer said."
Bryant said the threat of a boycott of the DuQuoin State Fair is understandable, but would be a "harsh blow" to Southern Illinois' economy and unfairly punish small businesses in the area.
"I told the Pritzker people to believe the boycott is real and that they will ultimately own the resulting economic damage that results from this hypocritical decision," she wrote on her Facebook post.
Tuesday, the Confederate Railroad responded to being cut from the lineup.
As many of you know, we were scheduled to perform at the Illinois State Fair in Du Quoin, Illinois on August 27, along with our friends Restless Heart and Shenandoah. We have since been removed from that show by the Illinois Department of Agriculture because of the name of our band. This was very disappointing as we have played this fair before and enjoyed it very much.
The outpouring of support from Confederate Railroad fans, fans of other acts, and the public in general, has been both overwhelming and very much appreciated. I would also like to thank the actors, athletes and fellow country music artists who have spoken out in support. It has been brought to my attention that several people have asked both Restless Heart and Shenandoah to cancel their shows in protest of our cancellation. I have spoken to both acts and encouraged them to perform as scheduled.
Live concerts are how we pay our bills and feed our families. I would never want to see another act lose a payday because of this. Please go out to hear these two great bands. As I have said many times onstage, I am by no means a saint but, I am a man of faith and I have faith that God will see us through this as well as whatever comes next!
Thank you for your support.
-Danny Shirley, Confederate Railroad
