Matchbox Twenty Canceled Their Show Out of Animal Concern

Mon, 14 April 2008 03:09:11 ET

Due to animal concern, Matchbox Twenty canceled their next show in Cheyenne Frontier Days, the world's biggest outdoor rodeo venue.

The Grammy-winning band, Matchbox 20, have made up their minds about their next show which is scheduled on July 18, in Cheyenne Frontier Days. They have decided to cancel the show out of their newfound concern for the animals involved in that world's biggest outdoor rodeo venue.

Rob Thomas as the lead singer who set up Sidewalk Angels foundation with his wife, Marisol, explained that this band reckoned the rodeo event as a mistreatment of the bulls. Thus, it would contradict the mission of Sidewalk Angels, which is stated on their website, that is "to benefit people who are destitute or homeless and get lost in the system; those who cannot afford proper medical care; animals that have been abandoned or abused,". Thus, they finally felt reluctant to make money from this.

As posted on Saturday on the band's official web site, "Regrettably, Matchbox Twenty will not be able to perform at Cheyenne Frontier Days on July, 18th. After careful consideration, it was decided that participating in this event would directly contradict the mission statement of SIDEWALK ANGELS FOUNDATION, our non profit organization. The other members of Matchbox Twenty support this decision and while we understand that a great deal of effort went into the planning of this show, and apologize to any and all fans who purchased tickets to see us. We ask that they please understand that it would be impossible for us to put ourselves in the position of making money from what we believe to be the mistreatment of animals."

Cheyenne Frontier Days, however, believe that "the right to own and use animals carries an obligation to provide proper care for all animals included in our celebration". They also add that they "do not tolerate, condone, or permit actions that abuse animals."

On the other hand, it seems strange that the band, which have sold more than 40 million records is actually still scheduled to perform this summer at the North Dakota State Fair, which includes rodeo events too.

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