Tim McGraw, one of America's bankable talents on Country Music, is currently under heavy criticism from his fans due to his upcoming participation in the Sandy Hook Benefit Concert in Hartford, Connecticut on July 17.

According to Daily Mail, McGraw is slated for a musical performance at an event organized by Sandy Hook Promise Group. The group, which promotes gun regulation, was organized after the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December 2012 that claimed the lives of 26 people most of whom were small children.

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One McGraw fan, an advocate of anti-gun control, said the singer's move may result in his career going downhill, the same fate Dixie Chicks experienced several years ago when one of its members criticized then President George W. Bush's action toward the Iraq War.

Bearing Arms, a conservator pro-gun blog, said McGraw's fan base wholeheartedly supports gun rights and the 47-year old country singer's participation in the concert is considered a form of betrayal.

One of the comments in the blog defined McGraw as someone who is 'not a real country singer' and another one criticized the singer as someone 'girly' who destroyed the image of country music.

Bill Currington, McGraw's opening act in the upcoming concert, backed out when the heavy criticism began, emphasizing that he is a singer and not someone who will go into controversial issues.

Currington clarified that this doesn't mean he will abandon his support for the Sandy Hook victims. He opted to donate at a local organization instead.

Despite the controversy, McGraw firmly stood by his decision to participate in the concert, according to an interview with Washington Post.

McGraw stressed that he is a gun owner and he supports gun ownership.

"I also believe that with gun ownership comes the responsibility of education and safety. Most certainly when it relates to what we value most, our children," he said, adding that he can't imagine someone who would disagree with that notion.

The singer explained in his official website that the Sandy Hook Promise group promotes awareness and hope that children can be protected from gun violence. He said be believes in the group's advocacy because he is also a father.

McGraw's friend, Mark Barden, lost a child in the deadly shooting.

TagsTim McGraw, Sandy Hook Benefit Concert