Bret Michaels may have withdrawn from the Freedom 250 Great American State Fair last week, but Michaels’ guitarist Pete Evick is quite upset about the reactions stemming from Michaels’ association with the event after the initial performers were announced.

Shortly after the performance lineup for the multi-week event was revealed, several booked artists began to back out. Michaels was arguably the most prominent name linked to the event, but acts such as Morris Day and the Time, Young MC, The Commodores, and Martina McBride all distanced themselves from it before Michaels followed suit.

In his exit statement, the singer discussed how what was promoted as a partisan event seemed to evolve into something more divisive that posed a safety risk for those involved. The singer himself noted that there had been “threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable.”

In guitarist Pete Evick’s statement shared on his Facebook page on June 1, he provides further insight into the backlash faced over the event and calls out a segment of the band’s fanbase that turned on Michaels due to his participation in the Great American State Fair.

What Did Pete Evick Say About the Bret Michaels Backlash Over the Great American State Fair?

Within his post, Evick mentioned that in 21 years of playing alongside Michaels in Poison’s solo band, he has witnessed the vocalist traveling overseas to perform for troops, building homes for veterans, partnering with various veterans organizations, donating millions of dollars, and giving away tickets.

However, it seems Evick’s greatest disappointment stems from observing a portion of their audience that had either benefitted from or received an act of the singer’s generosity turning against him because of his association with the Great American State Fair.

“Everyone has opinions; I know I can’t change them, but… I would certainly like everyone to have all the facts if you are literally turning your back on someone you loved 96 hours ago,” says Evick at one point in his message.

He continues, “Moving on, on a very personal note with a completely different tone.
If Bret or I have ever put a dime in your pocket, given you a free ticket, a free meet and greet, a free hotel room, a free flight, a photo pass, let you or your child perform onstage with us, gotten something signed for you or your charity, let you stand on the side of the stage, let you open for us, given you a shout-out on social media, gone out of our way to call or FaceTime a sick or dying relative that we don’t even know, or if you are one of those people when I’ve gotten Bret to show up at one of my local gigs and you were first in line to be close to him who has now openly turned your back on him. FUCK OFF.”

He adds, “We see you; we see your posts; FUCK OFF. I’m not saying you have to openly support him. But those who called us friends four days ago and have used and abused us and have now turned on us. FUCK OFF.”

READ MORE: Rikki Rockett Defends Bret Michaels’ Decision to Exit Freedom 250 Concert

Evick’s full commentary as shared through his Facebook account can be viewed below.

I’ve thought for days about how to express what’s on my mind. I also know I should just remain silent, but… those who know me understand I just can’t.
I’m not trying to change anyone’s opinions or beliefs about anything; I’m simply going to offer a different perspective on some things.
In 21 years I’ve done and seen the following things with Bret.
First and foremost we have traveled all over the Middle East during war and non-war times to perform “For the troops.” We have helped build homes for veterans with our own bare hands. Bret has bought and given away new homes to veterans. We have cooked and delivered food to troops; we have played at several military bases in the United States “For the troops.” We have partnered with and participated with wounded warriors and many other veteran-helping associations in activities assisting veterans. Bret has donated millions of dollars to veteran organizations. He was giving away tickets for veterans long before “Vet Tix.” We have brought thousands of troops on stage to honor them while giant crowds screamed for them. On a smaller note, I can’t count how many times Bret and I stopped at a traffic light where he gave money to a homeless veteran.
All of this actually is “for veterans”; all of this “helped veterans” either emotionally or monetarily.
We have also played countless 4th of July celebrations which is and always has been my favorite holiday. At least 16 of the 21 years I was unable to spend my favorite holiday with my children because we were out performing in honor of our nation, many with fundraising aspects for our troops.
This particular concert was going to do “Nothing” for veterans directly.
The only people that actually lose out are us; we are now not getting paid.
So why do all the actual things Bret has done for veterans seemingly get erased for something that does nothing for them?
Furthermore, if you dig deep enough and do enough research you will see that on multiple occasions we played at Trump’s golf course for charitable events. Long before he became a politician we performed at Trump’s daughter’s bachelorette party.
Everyone has opinions; I know I can’t change them but… I would certainly like everyone to have all the facts if you are literally turning your back on someone you loved 96 hours ago.
Moving on, on a very personal note with a completely different tone.
If Bret or I have ever put a dime in your pocket, given you a free ticket, a free meet and greet, a free hotel room, a free flight, a photo pass, let you or your child perform on stage with us, gotten something signed for you or your charity, let you stand on the side of the stage, let you open for us, given you a shout-out on social media, gone out of our way to call or FaceTime a sick or dying relative that we don’t even know; or if you are one of those people when I’ve gotten Bret to show up at one of my local gigs and you were first in line to be close to him who has now openly turned your back on him. FUCK OFF. We see you; we see your posts; FUCK OFF. I’m not saying you have to openly support him. But those who called us friends four days ago and have used and abused us and now turned against us. FUCK OFF.
Also, all of you who are criticizing us for safety concerns should read the article at Forbes magazine about Joe Rogan’s safety concerns then go criticize Joe Rogan for having similar concerns then go FUCK OFF again.

What Did Donald Trump Say After Artists Exited From the Great American State Fair?

While appearing on the Pod Force One podcast, Trump was asked about musicians withdrawing from the planned Freedom 250 event celebrating the country’s history. He stated, “They’re not really cowards; but I never even heard of these people. I never heard of any of them. They’re boring. I don’t even want them. And when I heard a couple of them canceled out, I was like ‘Cancel the whole thing. We’re gonna do a rally.’ …. Nobody’s ever gotten crowds like I get at a rally.”

He continued by saying “A couple of them said ‘We don’t want anything that’s partisan.’ I said ‘That’s okay. Go someplace else.’

While Trump’s comments addressed artists collectively who withdrew from participation, it is notable that Bret Michaels won Trump-hosted Celebrity Apprentice 3 back in 2009.

And as Evick pointed out in his post: “If you dig deep enough and do enough research you will see that we played at Trump’s golf course multiple times for charitable events long before he became a politician when we performed at Trump’s daughter’s bachelorette party.”

See photos of rock and metal stars from 1986 compared to now in the gallery below.