Ever since the chilling CNN documentary "
Although Joan Jett was not scheduled to perform at SeaWorld, one of her songs featured prominently in the park's killer whale shows. "I was surprised and upset to see on YouTube that SeaWorld used 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll' as the opening music for its cruel and abusive 'Shamu Rocks' show," Jett wrote in a letter to SeaWorld President Jim Atchison on December 11. "I'm among the millions who saw 'Blackfish' and am sickened that my music was blasted without my permission at sound-sensitive marine mammals. ... These intelligent and feeling creatures communicate by sonar and are driven crazy in the tiny tanks in which they are confined." A SeaWorld spokesman said that although the park had licensed the song legally, it will no longer be used in the shows.
Cheap Trick canceled their February date without releasing a statement.
On December 7, sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson tweeted, "Heart has chosen to decline their forthcoming performance at SeaWorld on 2/9/14 due to the controversial documentary film 'Black Fish.' " Nancy, left, wrote, "The Sea World show was planned long ago as an Orlando show. Had we known, we'd have said no then. We said no today. Love you all."
After the airing of the documentary and the Change.org petition urging Willie Nelson to withdraw from the concert series, Nelson obliged, saying, 'What they do at SeaWorld is not OK.' He told CNN's Brooke Baldwin, "I don't agree with the way they treat their animals. (Canceling the show) wasn't that hard a deal for me."
Barenaked Ladies were among the first acts to question their affiliation with SeaWorld and took to Facebook in November to explain why they were canceling their SeaWorld concert. "This is a complicated issue, and we don't claim to understand all of it, but we don't feel comfortable proceeding with the gig at this time," the band wrote. "The Seaworld folks have been gracious, and extended us invitations to the park to learn more about what they do, and how they do it."
- Trisha Yearwood cancels SeaWorld gig "In light of recent concerns," rep says
- Willie Nelson, Heart, Barenaked Ladies and Cheap Trick previously canceled
- Fans became upset after watching the CNN documentary "Blackfish"
- SeaWorld says it would like the artists to learn for themselves about SeaWorld
(CNN) -- SeaWorld's "Bands, BBQ and Brew" concert series may be down to just food and beer soon as Trisha Yearwood joins the list of artists canceling shows.
Willie Nelson, Heart, Barenaked Ladies and Cheap Trick previously withdrew amid pressure from fans who signed online petitions, tweeted and posted on Facebook pages demanding they not play at the Orlando theme park.
Fans became upset after watching the CNN documentary "Blackfish," which first aired on CNN in October. The film tells the story of the killing in 2010 of a SeaWorld trainer by an orca. It raises questions about the safety and humaneness of keeping killer whales in captivity.
Learn more about CNN Films 'Blackfish'
"In light of recent concerns, Trisha has decided to remove the February 22 date from her upcoming tour plans," the country singer's representative told CNN Thursday.
Bands Nix SeaWorld Shows
Blackfish fallout
The story of a killer whale
"We expect that other artists will be targeted in this campaign," SeaWorld spokesman Nick Gollattscheck told CNN after Cheap Trick canceled Wednesday.
Joan Jett to SeaWorld: Stop rockin' the whales
The park's concert schedule -- which also previously listed REO Speedwagon, Martina McBride, 38 Special, Justin Moore and Scotty McCreery -- has disappeared from SeaWorld's website. It now simply promises "incredible concerts with top artists in classic rock and country music."
SeaWorld is working to book replacement acts, Gollattscheck said. "We'll announce the full lineup of bands when all artists have been confirmed. We'll repost the schedule on our site then."
Filmmaker: Why I made 'Blackfish'
The Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies was the first to cancel, reacting to a petition posted on Change.org.
"This is a complicated issue, and we don't claim to understand all of it, but we don't feel comfortable proceeding with the gig at this time," the band said on its Facebook page.
Sisters Nancy and Ann Wilson of Heart did not elaborate last week when they announced their decision to cancel at SeaWorld, although they acknowledged it was "due to the controversial documentary film."
"While we're disappointed a small group of misinformed individuals was able to deny fans what would have been great concerts at SeaWorld," Gollattscheck said.
SeaWorld said it would like the musical artists to learn for themselves about SeaWorld.
"The bands and artists have a standing invitation to visit any of our parks to see firsthand or to speak to any of our animal experts to learn for themselves how we care for animals and how little truth there is to the allegations made by animal extremist groups opposed to the zoological display of marine mammals," Gollattscheck said.
SeaWorld says the documentary ignores the park's conservation efforts and research.
SeaWorld challenges ban limiting interaction between whale and trainer
CNN's Jane Caffrey and Carolyn Sung contributed to this report.
