Johnny Cash and Hank Williams are rolling over in their graves.
Via The Tennessean:
Less than one day after his appointment was announced, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee resigned Thursday from the CMA Foundation board of directors, following criticism from multiple members of the country music industry.
“The CMA Foundation has accepted former Gov. Mike Huckabee’s resignation from its board of directors, effective immediately,” said Amber Williams, CMA vice president of communications and talent relations.
The announcement follows pointed criticism from members of the country music industry, as well as fans — much of it stemming from Huckabee’s stance on LGBT issues.
Jason Owen, co-president of Monument Records and owner at Sandbox Entertainment, called the appointment a “grossly offensive decision” in an email to the association’s CEO Sarah Trahern and CMA Foundation executive Tiffany Kerns.
Owen wrote that due to Huckabee’s election to the CMA Foundation’s board, neither his companies, nor anyone they represent would continue to support the foundation.
Owen and his husband Sam are fathers to a young son and are expecting twins. Owen said that Huckabee’s stance on the LGBT community “made it clear my family is not welcome in his America.”
“The CMA has opened their arms to him, making him feel welcome and relevant,” wrote Owen, who represents artists including Little Big Town, Faith Hill and Midland.
“Huckabee speaks of the sort of things that would suggest my family is morally beneath his and uses language that has a profoundly negative impact upon young people all across this country,” he added. “Not to mention how harmful and damaging his deep involvement with the NRA is. What a shameful choice.”