Godsmack and Pop Evil are gearing up to perform at the the Jackson County Fair in Jackson, Mich. on Aug. 5, but the show did not come without a bit of controversy throughout the community.

A group of approximately 40 Jackson residents including a local parish, attended a fair board meeting on July 23 to try to get the Godsmack show cancelled. According to pamphlets distributed at St. Mary’s Parish Godsmack lyrics are “evil, strewn with obscenities and violent.”

Michigan Live reports that Rev. Timothy Nelson was also offended by the band’s name, providing this conclusion, “If you look at the name Godsmack, what does that mean? Do you smack God? The name is irreverent and when you look at the lyrics it’s less than edifying.”

Nelson also took issue with openers Pop Evil, claiming, “It leaves the suggestion that evil is not that bad. Evil is very bad.”

Billie Buda, another local resident, feels that the fair is going against their own beliefs, explaining, "Their (fair board) mission statement says it is a family oriented venue. This goes against their own mission statement." She continued, “There are a lot of bands that are good and some that are into witchcraft and the devil.”

Good news though – fair organizers have confirmed that the show will go on as planned. Additionally, ticket sales have been on the rise. “We had a lot of input on the different types of music they wanted to hear,” said Jackson County Fair operations director Denise Opens. She also confirmed that ticket sales for Godsmack have been “really good.”

Upon hearing the news, Nelson said he will pray for Godsmack, Pop Evil and the members of the country fair board.

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