Backlash After Band Florida Georgia Line Requests No Cops Backstage at Country Thunder

The popular band Florida Georgia Line is in the middle of controversy involving security from police at Country Thunder.

"This is the first time I've ever heard of any band not wanting law enforcement to be around or help protect them while their performance is going on and while they're backstage," said Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth.

The country duo is getting a lot of backlash, after word got out that the band's management requested for no officers to be backstage during their performance at the country thunder music festival in Twin Lakes this past weekend. It's a request that was denied by the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department.

"The goal of the sheriff's department is to being around in the campgrounds, festival grounds or behind stage or in the offices is to protect everybody that's there," said Beth.

The request sparked online rumors that the band was anti-police. However, the band explained in a statement that they already have their own security, and didn't need additional protection from law enforcement. Country Thunder's general manager Kim Blevins says security for fans and artists during the festival is their top priority.

"I have no idea why the band made that request. It was denied. We had officers on site all day long and we had absolutely no issues with Florida Georgia Line," said Blevins.

Tuesday afternoon the band tweeted, in part:

"You won't find guys more supportive of police than we are. What happened over the weekend was a complete misunderstanding and taken out of context."

The group made a similar request at a performance in Jones county Iowa. Despite asking for no cops backstage, the band did request for Kenosha Law Enforcement to escort them out of the festival, and that request was also denied.