The bars include iconic spots like Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Honky Tonk Central, Rippy’s, The Diner, and Kid Rock’s Big Honky Tonk Rock & Roll Steakhouse
Super Bowl viewers on Nashville’s Lower Broadway won’t all be watching the same halftime show this Sunday. Several high-profile bars say they plan to turn off the NFL broadcast at halftime and air a competing program instead.
Multiple major downtown venues have confirmed they will switch to Turning Point USA’s “All-American Halftime Show” during their Super Bowl parties, offering patrons an alternative to the league’s official performance, The Tennessean reports.
The counterprogramming effort dates back to October, when TPUSA announced it would stage its own halftime event in response to the NFL selecting Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny to headline Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California on February 8. The league’s official halftime lineup also includes Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett.
Bad Bunny has drawn attention for his outspoken opposition to President Donald Trump and for previously stating he would not tour in the United States because of the administration’s immigration policies. His selection quickly drew criticism from football fans who viewed the choice as politically charged. He plans on wearing a dress while performing in Spanish and promoting queer culture.
TPUSA, the organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, responded by announcing an alternate broadcast positioned as a cultural counterweight. The group describes the show as “celebrating faith, family and freedom,” and plans to air it across several television networks while streaming it live on both the TPUSA and Charlie Kirk Show YouTube channels.
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Every Broadway bar owned by Steve Smith will carry the TPUSA broadcast, including Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Honky Tonk Central, Rippy’s, The Diner, and Kid Rock’s Big Honky Tonk Rock & Roll Steakhouse. Smith confirmed the venues would not air Bad Bunny’s halftime performance and had made plans in advance to ensure the alternate show would be on screen.
Redneck Riviera, the Broadway bar owned by John Rich, also plans to show the TPUSA halftime program.
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