Evan Felker has dropped a playful response to one of country music’s most prominent recent stories. The Turnpike Troubadours frontman is joining Charley Crockett for a special show at Cain’s Ballroom on 26th August. When one fan asked whether Twin Temple would be opening, Evan simply replied “I think they were unavailable.”

Which sounds innocent enough. Until you know the story behind it.

Twin Temple were originally announced to support Crockett on two dates of his Age of the Ram Tour, in Oregon on 14th July and California on 18th July.

The husband and wife duo describe their music as “Satanic doo-wop”. Their entire act combines vintage 1950s and ’60s music with openly “Satanic” lyrics, titles and imagery.

But on 8th July, less than a week before the first show, Twin Temple announced that Crockett had removed them from both dates because of their “Satanic imagery”.

They said they were disappointed, particularly because they had hoped the shows would bring different audiences and music lovers together. Crockett later responded: “I thought they were like Black Sabbath, but they ain’t. Not today, Satan.”

Many traditional country fans understood where Crocket was coming from, with “Satanic doo-wop” seemingly clashing with the genre's gospel roots and many of the genre's biggest artists and fans alike regularly discussing their faith. And it is evident that this is not a dying demographic of the genre following, rather, the opposite, given the popularity of Brandon Lake’s Cowboy Church at CMA and the increasing number of Country-Christian crossovers. As a result, many country fans were happy that Crockett held to his beliefs and what represents him.

However, fans did question how Twin Temple had ever reached the line up if nobody understood what their act involved. Fans also noticed Crockett had followed the duo and liked their posts months earlier, leaving many confused about what had suddenly changed.

Crockett defended his decision and said a headliner had the right to change an opening act, but the ‘Jonestown Ferry’ crooner is yet to explain who originally made the booking or why Twin Temple’s image only became a problem days before the shows.

The story only grew when Jack White invited Twin Temple to open his Hollywood Palladium show on 29th September, telling them: “Get in front of me Satan.” They immediately accepted.

Crockett’s two dates went ahead with different support. The Barbaras opened in Oregon, while Jade Jackson took the California show.

Now, almost a month later, fans clearly have not forgotten.

Felker’s reply does not necessarily place him on either side. He is performing with Crockett and appears to be doing what friends do best: taking the opportunity to make a gentle but perfectly timed joke about his buddy. This show is set to be a special moment, given how Crockett cites Turnpike Troubadours as one of the most influential artists on his career, even offering to give up his 2026 GRAMMY nomination if it meant Turnpike would get a nod instead of him.

And for the record, Twin Temple are not opening at Cain’s Ballroom. Jaid Joice is the confirmed special guest.