Sheriff Beth, Florida Georgia Line work to calm backlash

Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth addresses reporters at his home Tuesday following negative national news towards Florida Georgia Line, who refused this department's services at Country Thunder (Jason Arndt/The Report).
Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth addresses reporters at his home Tuesday following negative national news towards Florida Georgia Line, who refused this department’s services at Country Thunder (Jason Arndt/The Report).

Security refusal at Country Thunder draws social media buzz

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

In at least two decades, no one performing at Country Thunder has ever declined law enforcement support backstage, according to Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth.

But, it ended Friday when a member of Florida Georgia Line’s staff requested no deputies backstage, leading to national backlash against the group.

Adding the backlash was the same request a day later in Jones County, Iowa, where the duo of Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard made a tour stop.

Florida Georgia Line, who refused security from the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department at Country Thunder, have reiterated their love of law enforcement.
Florida Georgia Line, who refused security from the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department at Country Thunder, have reiterated their love of law enforcement.

Following the second straight day, social media was abuzz with speculation that Florida Georgia Line is anti-police, in the midst of a national crisis involving officer-involved shootings.

“I believe this whole thing started with, and gone nationwide, because of one person’s Facebook, email, or Tweet, or whatever it was and it’s kind of blown up,” Beth said.

Beth, who delivered a news conference at his home Tuesday, are working to resolve the issue with Florida Georgia Line after the two held a phone conversation minutes earlier.

“I told Brian Kelley that we will work on getting what exactly happened squared away, and we will get those facts out,” Beth stated.

Before Florida Georgia Line’s appearance Friday, a member of Beth’s command staff received word from a representative of the group requesting no presence of law enforcement backstage during their performance.

The request caught Beth, and other deputies off guard, pointing to Country Thunder’s history in Twin Lakes.

Social media post following FGL's Country Thunder appearance.
Social media post following FGL’s Country Thunder appearance.

“My command staff gave me an interesting request the band had made, and they band had requested that no law enforcement be backstage during their performance,” Beth said. “We have never had that in the two decades or so that Country Thunder has been out in Twin Lakes.”

The following day, when Florida Georgia Line appeared in Iowa, the Sheriff’s Department received the same request, further intensifying backlash against the duo.

The band responded via Twitter and Facebook, claiming they have admiration for law enforcement, but some fans reportedly were not satisfied.

“Hey guys, we’ve just been made aware something happened at a show this weekend involving a police officer,” the band stated on Facebook July 24. “We want you to know that we have nothing but love and respect for the police. We are bummed anyone ever got a different impression.”

A fan reportedly from Iowa responded, calling Florida Georgia Line cowards for declining backstage security, and then asking for a police escort out of the venue.

Florida Georgia Line's response July 24
Florida Georgia Line’s response July 24

“I spoke personally with a law emforcement (sic) official from Jones County and FGL requested no law enforcement backstage. But they wanted them to escort them off the fairgrounds. That takes guts,” the post stated.

Along with fan backlash, national media outlets, including one from New York, and tabloid television show TMZ, reached out to Beth.

Moments before Tuesday’s news conference, Beth learned about Kelley’s family roots in law enforcement and in the political system in his phone conversation.

After the discussion, Beth believes it was a misunderstanding, which in turn, got blown out of proportion.

“I am hoping it was big misunderstanding and we are going to work on getting it squared away.”

After discussions with officials in Iowa, however, Beth told Kelley on the importance of clarity at future concerts.

Florida Georgia Line's response on Tuesday
Florida Georgia Line’s response on Tuesday

“However it was represented, two different Sheriff’s Departments, in two different states came up with the same thing,” Beth said.

“We aren’t welcome backstage while you are here.”

Beth and Kelley are working in concert to determine who made the request, and why, the Sheriff said.

In another Facebook statement Tuesday, Florida Georgia Line reiterated support for law enforcement and other authorities, adding that they have their own security detail.

“You won’t find two guys who are more supportive of the police than we are. What happened over the weekend was a misunderstanding that was blown out of proportion and taken out of context,” the band stated. “There is nothing more to this story beyond our team feeling that it would be redundant for us to use local authorities when we are already covered.”

Florida Georgia Line continued, stating that all bands and groups are asked whether they need security while on tour, noting some decline.

Citing recent success, Beth thinks Florida Georgia Line had no intention of conveying an anti-police stance, as some national news sources have reported.

“They got a No. 1 hit, they are all excited about what is going on, life is going pretty good, and working hard,” Beth said. “This is certainly what they hadn’t intended.”


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