Nashville Hall of Famer Jeffrey Steele Criticizes Music Industry for Censoring Conservative Voices

Steele's new song 'A Voice' highlights the industry's embrace of left-wing artists while silencing conservative perspectives.

Published on Feb. 12, 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's decision-makers are pushing a narrative and not trying to satisfy the millions of Americans who want performances that reflect their faith and values.

Why it matters

Steele's experience highlights the ongoing tensions between the music industry's perceived liberal bias and the desire of many Americans for more diverse and balanced musical representation. The censorship of conservative voices in the industry raises questions about free speech and the ability of artists to express their political views.

The details

Steele co-wrote 'A Voice' with fellow Nashville hitmakers Chris Wallin and Colin Raye. The song includes the line 'The Charlie Kirk choir all lightin' our lighters.' However, Steele says he was told the song wouldn't be played 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 by the industry, while his own song was deemed 'too right-wing' to receive airplay.

  • Steele released '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 hits for artists like Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, and Aaron Lewis. He recently released the patriotic song 'A Voice' which has been censored by the music industry.

Charlie Kirk

A conservative political commentator and founder of Turning Point USA. His name was censored from Steele's song 'A Voice' by the music industry.

Bruce Springsteen

A veteran rock musician who recently released an anthem with anti-Trump and anti-ICE lyrics, which 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, Nashville Hall of Fame Songwriter (The Charlie Kirk Show)

“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, Nashville Hall of Fame Songwriter (The Charlie Kirk Show)

“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, Nashville Hall of Fame Songwriter (The Charlie Kirk Show)

What’s next

Steele plans to continue finding ways to get his patriotic song 'A Voice' out to the public, despite the music industry's resistance to promoting it.

The takeaway

Steele's experience highlights the ongoing tensions between the music industry's perceived liberal bias and the desire of many Americans for more diverse and balanced musical representation. The censorship of conservative voices in the industry raises questions about free speech and the ability of artists to express their political views.