Country music group Confederate Railroad booted from state fair lineup — because of the name Confederate Railroad

In recent years, we've seen Confederate flags taken down, then statues of figures connected to the Confederacy were defaced and toppled — and now it seems even the word "Confederate" could be destined for the historical delete button.

Case in point: Country music group Confederate Railroad.

The popular, longtime band was set to play the Du Quoin State Fair in Illinois next month — but not anymore, WSIL-TV reported.

Seems the band was dropped from the Aug. 27 show because of its name, the station said, citing the Du Quoin Weekly.

What's the background?

Rich Miller with the Capitol Fax political website in June asked if Confederate Railroad playing at a state-owned facility was appropriate, WSIL said.

With that, Fair Manager Josh Gross told the newspaper that the Illinois Department of Agriculture decided to apparently pull the plug on Confederate Railroad's scheduled performance, the station noted: "While every [artist] has a right to expression, we believe this decision is in the best interest of serving all of the people in our state."

Confederate Railroad was scheduled to perform with country artists Shenandoah and Restless Heart, WSIL reported, adding that the other two groups will still play.

The booking agent for Confederate Railroad on Friday didn't immediately respond to TheBlaze's request for comment on the report of the band's removal from the state fair lineup.

The band's tour schedule on Friday morning included the Du Quoin State Fair, but Confederate Railroad isn't named on the Fair's Facebook page alongside Shenandoah and Restless Heart.

Here is Danny Shirley of Confederate Railroad talking about the origin of the band's name:

Danny Shirley - Origins of the Name Confederate Railroadyoutu.be