Aaron Lewis is opening up about why he thinks industry executives have cast him aside.
During a recent interview on the “Pickin’ It Out with Andrew Pope” podcast, the 54-year-old musician spoke about his upcoming record and why he believes the music industry has turned its back on him.
“Everything’s too political now,” he explained. “I’ve played the [Grand Ole] Opry a whole bunch of times, and I don’t get invited to the Opry anymore. All because I believe in this beautiful, amazing country that we’re so blessed to have.”
The musician first found fame as the lead vocalist and founding member of the band Staind. He stayed with the band until the early 2000s, before embarking on a successful solo career in 2010.
During the interview, he reflected on the idea that in two years it would be 30 years since he formed Staind, calling it “such a blessing to still be able to do this after doing it for almost 30 years.”
“We’re now eligible for the Hall of Fame,” he said, before adding, “It’ll never happen.”
His upcoming sixth studio album, “Give My Country Back,” is set to drop July 17. Lewis and Pope said they hope listeners will be able to find the album to listen to it.
“You got to look for it. Any of my stuff,” Lewis explained. “The machine that is has no problem turning its back on me.”
Lewis isn’t the only musician to deal with backlash due to politics.
Vanilla Ice recently received backlash when he was announced as one of the performers at the Great American State Fair, celebrating the 250th anniversary of America.
After the lineup was announced May 29, several performers, including Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Young MC, the Commodores, Morris Day and others announced they were dropping out.
When it comes to the backlash he received for agreeing to perform at President Trump-backed Freedom 250 events, the rapper said he is “just an entertainer” and that it isn’t fair for him or any other entertainer “to be dragged into politics and stuff.”
“I think people are taking everything too serious, and you should enjoy this concert, this celebration of our country, and we should all come together. That’s what music’s for anyway, to bring people together,” he said. “Music brings people together, and that’s what it’s all about.”
While he chose not to drop out, he didn’t blame the other artists for choosing not to perform at the concert, saying “they have their own reasons, and they live in different places and it’s different,” but that he was “honored” to be able to celebrate his country.
