Brantley Gilbert Was One Of Four Artists Who Performed During TPUSA’s All-American Halftime Show
Brantley Gilbert performed two songs turning the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) All-American Halftime Show on Sunday, February 8.
In October, TPUSA announced its plans to host an alternate Super Bowl halftime show. The announcement came after some NFL fans expressed dissatisfaction that Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny was selected to perform during halftime of Super Bowl LX.
TPUSA promised a show “celebrating faith, family, and freedom.” The lineup, announced by TPUSA on February 2, featured Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, Gabby Barrett, and Kid Rock.
Days before the All-American Halftime Show, Brantley Gilbert explained why he was proud to be performing during the program. In a statement he shared on social media, Gilbert wrote:
“I’m a Christian, and I love our country, despite its flaws. I’ve dedicated part of my life to the men and women who fight for it, and the families of those who gave their life for it. Above all, I’m a proud husband and father of three. We’re celebrating 250 years as a country, and it’s been more than 20 years since a country artist has been asked to play the Super Bowl halftime show. I respect that some people may see this differently, but I’m not playing this show to be divisive. I was offered this opportunity and imagined my kids watching their daddy perform at halftime during the biggest game in American Football. Everything I do, I do for them.“
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Brantley Performs “Dirt Road Anthem” In A Unique Way, Adds Another Verse
Over five million simultaneous viewers tuned in to watch the All-American Halftime Show on YouTube alone, with more viewers coming in from other platforms. The YouTube video has since garnered over 19 million views.
The show kicked off with an instrumental rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” played by an electric guitarist..
Gilbert was the first performer to take to the stage after that. He opened with a performance of his song “Real American,” which he featured on his 2025 greatest hits album Greatest Hits… So Far.
Afterward, Gilbert moved into a performance of “Dirt Road Anthem.” Gilbert co-wrote the song with Colt Ford, and Jason Aldean recorded it. Aldean released his version in 2011 as the third single from his album My Kinda Party.
Aldean’s recording of “Dirt Road Anthem” reached #1 on the Hot Country Songs chart and has been certified 4x Platinum. The song also led him to receive his first Grammy nomination in 2012.
Needless to say, the song’s success greatly impacted Gilbert’s life as well.
“I wrote this next song with a good friend of mine by the name of Colt Ford, and Jason Aldean changed our lives and put it on Country radio,” Gilbert said before performing the track at TPUSA’s halftime show.
Gilbert’s performance of “Dirt Road Anthem” was unlike anything fans have heard before. He put a new spin on the song, opting to deliver it acoustically and in a subdued, almost ballad-like way at the start.
