Brantley Gilbert is standing by his decision to perform in Turning Point USA's rival halftime show. "For those asking 'who is Brantley Gilbert?' and 'why is he playing this event?'" the country singer, 41, wrote in a lengthy statement shared via X on Friday, February 6. "I'm a songwriter who grew up, and still lives in Jackson County, GA, whose goal in the music business was to sell out the local theater a few miles from my house and somehow make a living writing songs." Gilbert added he is a "recovering addict with the history of making bad choices that come with it.