Lee Brice Addresses Backlash Over TPUSA Debut
Country singer Lee Brice has responded after facing online backlash for debuting a new song during Kid Rock’s Turning Point USA All-American Halftime Show, saying he never intended to offend anyone and was simply sharing what he calls his personal truth.
In his first interview since the performance, Brice told hosts on the Big D and Bubba radio show that he “was never out to hurt anyone,” explaining his mindset around the moment and the reaction that followed, Taste of Country reported.
Brice premiered “Country Nowadays” during the event, a track built around familiar country imagery like fishing, driving a truck, drinking beer and mowing the lawn, while also taking aim at what he described as a “cancel-your-ass world.” He said the song wasn’t created as a political statement, and pushed back on criticism that accused him of pandering to a specific demographic.
Amid the scrutiny, Brice also leaned into a viral misheard lyric that sparked memes online, with listeners joking that he sings “I just wanna kiss my fish” instead of “I just wanna catch my fish.” Brice said he’s turning the joke into merchandise, echoing a broader pattern of artists responding publicly to controversy tied to major event performances, as seen when another singer defended taking part in Kid Rock’s high-profile Super Bowl show in recent coverage.
With “Country Nowadays” now being performed live beyond the initial debut, Brice’s comments signal he intends to keep promoting the track while separating its lyrics from the polarising context of where it was first introduced.
