.38 Special drops out of SeaWorld concert series

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The band .38 Special has become the eighth major music act to bow out of a planned concert series at Florida's SeaWorld Orlando.

"Due to concerns raised by the CNN documentary 'Blackfish,' .38 Special will be canceling its scheduled March 9 concert at SeaWorld," the band said in a statement posted on its Facebook page Monday. "We appreciate the outpouring of support and especially apologize to our Orlando fans. We will try and schedule another performance in your area in the near future."

Also recently dropping out of the lineup for the "Bands, Brew & BBQ" concert series due to the fallout from the film are Barenaked Ladies, Willie Nelson, Heart, Cheap Trick, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride and REO Speedwagon.

"While we're disappointed a small group of misinformed individuals was able to deny fans what would have been great concerts at SeaWorld, we respect the bands' decisions," SeaWorld spokesman Nick Gollattscheck told the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel. "We expect that other artists will be targeted in this campaign."

"Blackfish" alleges SeaWorld mistreats its killer whales, which are the maritime theme park's star attractions.