By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – While they may have got booted from DuQuoin State Fair, Confederate Railroad will end up playing a gig in southern Illinois after all.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker told reporters Wednesday in Chicago the band’s use of a confederate flag was the reason the performance was canceled.

“We’re talking about a band that has as its emblem a Confederate flag,” Pritzker said after an unrelated event. “The Confederate flag is a symbol of not just slavery, but of treason against the United States. It’s also a symbol of murder, of kidnapping, of rape.”

After a few phone calls, the country music act will end up playing in southern Illinois, but at Black Diamond Harley-Davidson in Marion.

Listen to Shad Zimbro’s full interview with WJBC’s Scott Miller:

“One of the agencies that works with Confederate Railroad contacted us when they heard they may be dropped from the fair,” co-owner Shad Zimbro told WJBC’s Scott Miller.  “When it was official they were cancelled we said if the people want to see Confederate Railroad we’ll bring them here,” Zimbro added.

Zimbro said the dealership has hosted many concerts the last 10 years.

When asked about Pritzker’s remarks, Zimbro said – “kind of crazy.”

“This is a band that has been going for 30 years and has had several number one hits.  Just because they’ve had a confederate flag behind them or its the name of their band, to me it doesn’t mean they should be banned forever,” said Zimbro.

Confederate Railroad will play at the motorcycle dealership September 5.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]