38 Special Cancels SeaWorld Concert Amidst Blackfish Controversy

38 Special has followed Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, REO Speedwagon, Trisha Yearwood, Barenaked Ladies, Cheap Trick, and Heart in cancelling their upcoming performance at SeaWorld amidst intense public pressure fueled by the popular documentary film Blackfish. 38 Special's announcement came after more than 1,500 people signed a Change.org petition to encourage artists to cancel on SeaWorld's annual Bands, Brew, and BBQ concert series.

38 Special broke the news via Facebook, saying:

"Due to concerns raised by the CNN documentary "Blackfish," 38 Special will be canceling its scheduled March 9th concert at Seaworld. We appreciate the outpouring of support and especially apologize to our Orlando fans. We will try and schedule another performance in your area in the near future. The band wishes everyone a happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you all again in 2014."

The petition was launched by Shani Roushar from Pembroke Pines, FL who was inspired by the film Blackfish, and follows successful Change.org petitions asking Martina McBride, Barenaked Ladies, Willie Nelson, Heart, Cheap Trick, Trisha Yearwood, and REO Speedwagon to drop their performances at SeaWorld Orlando.

Says Shani: "We did it! 38 Special joins Willie Nelson, Cheap Trick, Heart, and others who saw these Change.org petitions from fans like us and want nothing to do with SeaWorld's history of cruel treatment of animals. Blackfish shows what happens behind the scenes to these very intelligent animals and the public does not like it one bit. Thank you 38 Special for showing the world that SeaWorld is the last place anyone should go to have a good time."

SeaWorld's Bands, Brew, and BBQ online concert listing removed all previously listed artists since the criticism began, as music fans and animal advocates have used Change.org to persuade the majority of artists to cancel performances at the theme park. Only two musicians, Justin Moore and Scotty McCreery, are still scheduled, and thousands of people have already signed petitions asking them to cancel their previously announced shows at SeaWorld.

The critically-acclaimed documentary Blackfish was recently short-listed for an Oscar for Best Documentary after gaining widespread public support. Many animal advocates continue to use the #Blackfish hashtag to organize on Twitter in addition to Change.org, Facebook, and other platforms.

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