GARTH BROOKS’ NEW BAR WILL SERVE BUG LIGHT DESPITE CONTROVERSY
Garth Brooks is set to open a bar and entertainment venue in downtown Nashville, with adjacent Metro Nashville Police Department substation. During a panel conversation at Billboard Country Live, Brooks hinted at the brewing controversy over Bud Light’s campaign with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney. He confirmed he will serve every brand of beer in his new business, Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk. However, Brooks added that anyone behaving like an “asshole” would not be welcome.
BROOKS’ NEW BAR AIMS TO PROMOTE RESPECT AND KINDNESS
Garth Brooks wants his new venture, due to open soon, to be recognised as a bar that promotes respect and kindness. Brooks’ plan is to create a sense of safe community, and he has invited everybody to come to his venue except people who practice disrespectful or uncivil behaviour. He firmly believes that respect is fundamental, an attitude that he has adopted in his social life and included in his musical performances, particularly in his hit song “We Shall Be Free.”
FAREWELL TO BIG & RICH AND KID ROCK AS BROOKS’ UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR BUG LIGHT ATTRACTS CONTROVERSY
Garth Brooks is not the only country music artist with a new venue on Lower Broadway in Nashville. Fellow musicians John Rich, of Big & Rich, and Kid Rock also own large bars on the street. They have decided to boycott the popular beer brand Bud Light after the company enlisted transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney for a marketing campaign. In support of the campaign, Brooks had invited everyone, including those drinking Bud Light, to come to his bar. His support for the brand has received a mix of reactions; some people believe that he has made a poor decision, while others think his decision to sell every brand of beer is evidence of an honourable and welcoming approach.
According to Brooks:
If you want to visit the venue, love one another.
If you’re an “a–hole”, go elsewhere
The venue will serve every brand of beer
Respect and kindness are fundamental
Everybody is invited except those who practice disrespectful or uncivil behavior
FEARS THAT GARTH BROOKS’ NEW VENUE MIGHT BE CANCELLED
The announcement of Garth Brooks’ new bar serving Bud Light drew the attention of the same groups that had previously decried the cancel culture. While many people were supportive of Brooks’ decision to serve every brand of beer, some questioned his motives. There are also people concerned that choosing to sell Bud Light, a brand associated with a marketing campaign featuring a transgender social media influencer, might lead to the bar’s cancellation by the groups who were vocal about cancel culture previously.
GARTH BROOKS REMAINS FIRM IN HIS BELIEF THAT KINDNESS MATTERS
Garth Brooks is known for his outspoken support of the LGBTQ community. In 1992, Brooks released “We Shall Be Free,” a song promoting tolerance and love regardless of people’s race, colour, beliefs, nationality, or sexual orientation. Brooks believes in the power of kindness and respect, even in situations where individuals hold different opinions or beliefs.
Brooks said during the interview:
The friends going there should respect each other
He wants it to be a place where people like each other
Our goal is to be safe
If you “love one another,” you are welcome
IMPLICATIONS FOR BUD LIGHT IN THE WAKE OF ITS CONTROVERSIAL AD CAMPAIGN
Bud Light’s controversial ad campaign has garnered mixed reviews. The marketing campaign movie featuring a transgender influencer sent personalised packs of beer to customers with the influencer’s likeness as part of an ad for the company’s March Madness contest. The move angered customers who have since boycotted all Anheuser-Busch products as a result. John Rich, another Nashville bar owner, has stopped selling the beer, as has Kid Rock, who created a video of himself shooting bottles of the beer.
BUD LIGHT SALES CONTINUE TO DECLINE
The backlash against the brand for its controversial ad campaign has dealt a heavy blow to Bud Light and Anheuser-Busch. The company has reported that sales fell by 23.9% on a dollar basis for the week ending May 27 compared to a year ago. Furthermore, Bud Light’s sales have fallen 24.5% based on data taken from the past four weeks leading to May 27. Retailers have warned that if sales continue to decline by up to 20% in the weeks leading up to July 4, they would be left with no option but to make shelf space allocations to other brands.
CONCLUSION
While Brooks’ steadfast commitment to tolerance and love has endeared him to his ardent supporters, it has also drawn the ire of some potential customers of his new bar, Friends in Low Places Bar and Honky Tonk. The controversy has been fuelled by the brand’s choice to feature a transgender social media influencer prominently in its recent ad campaign. Nevertheless, Brooks has stuck to his position of respect, kindness, and love, insisting that these values are critical to building a peaceful and welcoming community.
FAQs
1. What is Garth Brooks’ new bar called?
Garth Brooks is set to open a new bar called Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk.
2. Will the bar serve Bud Light?
Yes, Garth Brooks has confirmed that his new bar will serve every brand of beer, including Bud Light.
3. Why are some people against Brooks’ decision to serve Bud Light?
Some people believe that Brooks’ decision to sell Bud Light as part of his bar’s drinks menu is evidence of poor judgement.
4. What was the controversy surrounding Bud Light’s marketing campaign?
Bud Light faced criticism and boycott calls when it sent personalised packages of beer featuring transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney’s likeness as part of its March Madness ad campaign.
5. How has the backlash affected Bud Light’s sales?
Bud Light’s sales have taken a hit, with the brand’s overall revenue falling by 23.9% on a dollar basis compared to a year ago for the week ending May 27.