Nashville Hall of Famer Jeffrey Steele Criticizes Music Industry Bias

Songwriter calls out industry for embracing left-wing artists while censoring conservative voices like Charlie Kirk

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Nashville Hall of Fame songwriter Jeffrey Steele has called out the music industry for elevating left-wing pop stars like Bad Bunny and promoting anti-ICE tracks from Bruce Springsteen, while censoring conservative voices like Charlie Kirk in his new patriotic song "A Voice." Steele says the industry is "pushing a narrative" and not representing the values of millions of Americans who want music that reflects their faith and patriotism.

Why it matters

Steele's criticism highlights the perceived political bias in the music industry, where conservative artists and messages are allegedly censored or marginalized while left-leaning artists and content are embraced and promoted. This reflects a broader debate about free speech and ideological diversity in the entertainment industry.

The details

Steele co-wrote the song "A Voice" with fellow Nashville songwriters Chris Wallin and Colin Raye. The song includes a line referencing "The Charlie Kirk choir all lightin' our lighters," but Steele says music industry gatekeepers told him they wouldn't play the song on the radio as long as it includes Kirk's name. Meanwhile, Steele points out that Bruce Springsteen's new anti-Trump and anti-ICE anthem was "immediately embraced and it goes to number one." Steele says he had to "creep and crawl" to get his song out to the public who want to hear it.

  • Steele released his song "A Voice" in early 2026.
  • About a week after its release, "A Voice" reached the #4 spot on Billboard's Digital Sales Country Chart.

The players

Jeffrey Steele

A Nashville Hall of Fame songwriter who has written hit songs for artists like Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, and Aaron Lewis. He co-wrote the patriotic song "A Voice" that has faced censorship from the music industry.

Charlie Kirk

A conservative political commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, whose name was censored from Steele's song "A Voice" by music industry gatekeepers.

Bruce Springsteen

A veteran rock musician who recently released an anthem with anti-Trump and anti-ICE lyrics, which Steele says was "immediately embraced" by the music industry.

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What they’re saying

“They're pushing a narrative as hard as they can. And it started a few years ago with the National Anthem and taking a knee. And the public immediately showed what they thought about that.”

— Jeffrey Steele, Songwriter (Breitbart)

“What they want to see on that field is a representation of what America is. And every year this thing gets crazier, more outlandish, more sex-driven, less morality, less about faith. Less about country. And I just think there's quite a few hundred million Americans out there that have just said enough.”

— Jeffrey Steele, Songwriter (Breitbart)

“To have them push back at me and not help me promote it was a tough thing for a guy that's been around for 45 years.”

— Jeffrey Steele, Songwriter (Breitbart)

What’s next

Steele plans to continue promoting his song "A Voice" and speaking out against the perceived political bias in the music industry.

The takeaway

Steele's experience highlights the ongoing tensions between conservative artists and the predominantly liberal music industry establishment, raising questions about free speech, ideological diversity, and the representation of traditional American values in popular culture.