Southern Rock Band ‘Confederate Railroad’ Loses Second Gig Due to Confederate Flag
Tom Pappert
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A southern rock band titled Confederate Railroad has lost its second gig due to their logo containing the Confederate battle flag, which the band maintains represents the forgotten culture of the deep south.
This marks the second gig lost by Confederate Railroad in less than a month, as organizers use the Confederate battle flag used in the band’s logo against them.
The band, which has been active since the 1990s, was first canceled from the Illinois State Fair on July 9, 2019. The band describes itself as “the former backup band for both David Allan Coe and Johnny Paycheck,” and explains that the band has released several popular songs and has received GRAMMY nominations and received the Academy of Country Music’s Top new Vocal Group Award in 1992.
From the band’s statement on its website:
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 disapopointing as we have played this fair bfeore 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 and here these two great bands. As I have said many times onstage, I am by now 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.
The next cancellation happened this week, as they were removed from the Ulster County Fair in New York’s Hudson Valley, with the organizers citing concerns of diversity and inclusiveness around the band’s logo.
The band’s Aug. 1 date at the Ulster County Fair in New York’s Hudson Valley has been canceled, a spokesman for Ulster County executive Pat Ryan said Thursday. Earlier this month, Illinois canceled a state fair appearance by the band, whose logo features a steam locomotive flying Confederate flags.
“The Ulster County Fair must be an event that everyone can enjoy while representing the values of all members of our community,” Ryan said in a prepared statement. “Any showcasing of a symbol of division and racism runs counter to that principle and will be vigorously opposed by my administration.”
Speaking to USA TODAY, the band’s front man said “I’ve done nothing wrong.” He added that, “I love the part of the country I’m from, and I will never apologize for that.”
The debate over the Confederate battle flag is yet again reaching a fever pitch in the country, with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) assisting the left in their quest to destroy the nation’s heritage only two weeks ago.
Earlier this year, Black Lives Matter activist and noted white man Shaun King posted a video to Facebook celebrating the vandalism of a truck as a man tore the confederate flag off the back.
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