HARTFORD — Tim McGraw is defending his decision to headline a Connecticut concert to benefit a Sandy Hook group, responding to critics who call it a gun control fundraiser.

A concert at the XFINITY Theatre in Hartford on July 17 featuring McGraw will benefit Sandy Hook Promise (SHP). The nonprofit group in Newtown was organized by some of the families whose children and siblings were among the 20 children and six educators fatally shot at the Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. Its stated objective is to prevent gun violence and focus on mental health issues. SHP will receive 100 percent of the net proceeds from the event.

“Out of this tragedy a group was formed that made a promise to honor the lives lost and turn it into a moment of transformation,” McGraw in a statement last week. “Sandy Hook Promise teaches that we can do something to protect our children from gun violence. I want to be a part of that promise — as a father and as a friend.”

Dean Brown, the fiddle player in McGraw’s touring band, is a longtime friend to Mark Barden, a musician and father of a Daniel Barden, one of the children killed on 12/14.

The concert was part of McGraw’s Shotgun Rider Tour ’15 since January, when the performer announced the first dates of the North American tour. The change from being part of the summer tour to a fundraiser for Sandy Hook Promise was formally announced on April 13.

Gun rights advocates immediately took to Facebook and Twitter, calling McGraw everything from a hypocrite to a Hollywood Cowboy for headlining the event. Others sent supportive tweets and posted comments on the country superstar’s his Facebook page, supporting McGraw for lending his name to SHP.

Three days later, on April 16, McGraw said in a statement to The Washington Post that there is no contradiction between gun ownership and supporting Sandy Hook Promise.

“Let me be clear regarding the concert for Sandy Hook given much of the erroneous reporting thus far. As a gun owner, I support gun ownership,” he said. “I also believe that with gun ownership comes the responsibility of education and safety — most certainly when it relates to what we value most, our children. I can’t imagine anyone who disagrees with that.

“The concert is meant to do something good for a community that is recovering,” McGraw said.

Sandy Hook Promise told The Newtown Bee last week they had no comment on the development, deferring to McGraw’s statement in The Post.

On April 17, The Connecticut Citizens Defense League, which bills itself the state’s largest grassroots gun rights group, issued a statement on behalf of CCDL President Scott Wilson.

“We have watched and followed this story closely over the last several days to gauge the reaction of Tim McGraw’s fan base, and the fans of country music in general. I sincerely believe that Tim was not aware that the organization known as ‘Sandy Hook Promise’ actually operates with a completely anti-2nd amendment agenda. SHP (as they are known) has cheered on every piece of legislation in this state (and at the federal level) intended to curtail or eradicate our rights as law abiding Americans,” the statement opened.

“Mr McGraw has now been brought up to speed on what this anti-gun organization which masquerades as something else is all about, but  apparently he is doubling down by going forward with this event. In spite of Tim’s claims that he is about protecting children and family, the organization he is supporting would leave families defenseless with their zeal. It’s hard to believe it, but apparently Tim McGraw has gone Hollywood Country,” Mr Wilson added.

Opening Acts Also Involved

Billy Currington, who was to be an opener for “A Concert for Sandy Hook Promise,” withdrew from the concert, he said April 16 via his Facebook page, because he does not want to be part of what he sees as a contentious topic.

“I’ve never been one to take on controversial issues — I’m a singer,” he wrote. “I do feel strongly about honoring and supporting the Sandy Hook community and will be making a donation to a local organization.”

Currington is performing on most of McGraw’s current tour, and added within his post that he appreciates “people’s freedom and passion for whatever cause they want to support, however, I am choosing to step aside from this fundraiser and will focus instead on the rest of the tour.”

Currington is being both praised and criticized for his decision. Some fans are thanking him for pulling away from the issue, while others challenge his decision. One woman, Lori Anne Murray-Gossett posted on Facebook she has “to wonder if you would feel different if your child had been involved.”

Country newcomer Chase Bryant, who is also part of the current tour, is apparently still on the bill for the Hartford show. 

Tickets for the concert went on sale to the public Friday, April 17. As of Wednesday, April 22, the majority of the reserved seats within the 22,500-seat pavilion at the theater had been sold, but tickets were still available in each section of the pavilion. General admission pit and lawn seating tickets were still available as well. The lawn at the theater can hold another 6,500 ticket-holders.

Statement From Families

McGraw’s comments to The Washington Post last week were both clarifying and confusing. While he reiterated that he will go forward with his plans to perform, and donate funds to Sandy Hook Promise, his closing statement — that the concert is meant for the community — appears to be misleading. Funds for Sandy Hook Promise are used for the organization’s mission. They are not disbursed to any of the 26 families who lost loved ones on 12/14.

On Wednesday, April 22, nearly a dozen of those families issued the following statement concerning “A Concert For Sandy Hook Promise”:

“We, the undersigned families of loved ones killed in the Sandy Hook School tragedy, wish to publicly state that we are not associated with or supported by the Sandy Hook Promise organization. We make this statement following the recent announcement of a donation of proceeds from Tim McGraw’s July 17th concert in Hartford, CT, and many resulting inquiries as to whether we receive support from this organization.

“Our decision to publicly address this matter is not related to a position regarding any of the complex issues surrounding our tragedy, as recent news reports have suggested (i.e. the gun debate, mental health, etc.).  We wish only to provide clarification for the many generous donors that believe they are directly supporting the families at the center of this tragedy by contributing to the Sandy Hook Promise origination.

“We are profoundly grateful for the charitable intentions and efforts of so many friends, neighbors, and citizens worldwide.

“With gratitude and sincerity,

Joann and Joel Bacon, parents of Charlotte

Michele and Bob Gay, parents of Josephine

Cristina Hassinger and Erica Lafferty Smegielski, daughters of Dawn Hochsprung

Scarlett Lewis and Neil Heslin, parents of Jesse

Nelba Marquez-Greene and Jimmy Greene, parents of Ana

Cindy and Mark Mattioli, parents of James

Alissa and Robbie Parker, parents of Emilie

Tricia and Dean Pinto, parents of Jack

Krista and Rich Rekos, parents of Jessica

Jeremy Richman and Jenn Hensel, parents of Avielle

Donna, Jillian, Carlee, and Carlos Mathew Soto, family of Victoria

SHP Responds

In response to the families’ announcement, Sandy Hook Promise issued its own statement late in the afternoon, reiterating its mission and the immediacy of some of its founders to those killed on 12/14.

The statement also clarified that proceeds from “A Concert For Sandy Hook Promise” would not be directly benefitting “any family or family foundation, including those families who lead Sandy Hook Promise. All proceeds benefit out non-profit 501(c)3 Foundation which funds our protection and prevention programs. These initiatives in turn will help hundreds of children and families across the country.

“Though all our materials and fundraising options make this clear, we thank the families that signed the letter to reinforce to their donors that the proceeds benefit Sandy Hook Promise,” the statement continued.

(Associated Press reporting was used in this story.)

This story has been updated to include the statement from Sandy Hook Promise.