Morgan Wallen just announced he is taking six weeks off of performing, while he works on healing his voice. The prolonged break means not only missing several dates on his One Night At A Time World Tour, but also several festivals, including his performance Gulf Coast Jam Presented by Jim Beam, on June 3 in Panama City Beach, and Carolina Country Fest on June 10 in Myrtle Beach.
Fortunately, Kenny Chesney has graciously agreed to take Wallen’s place for both shows, even as just wrapped up headlining his own I Go Back Tour as well
“It’s like an extra little bit of something,” Chesney says of playing the two extra shows. “We love playing those great big stages, and I think everyone knows that. But this year, in these venues, has been unlike anything we’ve done in years – so much fun, so great, so spur of the moment – and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Chesney’s latest tour played smaller, more intimate venues, which is why he is eager to play at both festivals.
“I can’t lie, though. I was missing those big stages just a bit,” Chesney admits. “And now, me and the road family get to have our cake and eat it, too. When we got the call, even though we were basically done, I thought it over, and of course we wanted to be there for the fans. They’re the reason we do this – and the opportunity to step in and let even more people see how white hot and awesome these players are is awesome. Funny how life has a way of stepping in!”
Rendy Lovelady, Gulf Coast Jam Executive Producer, is thrilled that Chesney will join the festival this year in Wallen’s absence.
“Our Jammers love Kenny Chesney and have been asking for him to headline for years,” he says. “We are so thankful his schedule permitted him to step in and entertain our sold-out crowd Saturday night.”
“Anyone who knows anything about the touring business, for an artist the caliber of Kenny Chesney to be open on the exact night we needed him, is truly a blessing,” adds Gulf Coast Jam Presented by Jim Beam COO Mark Sheldon. “We will be praying for Morgan and know he will be back out entertaining fans soon.”
— morgan wallen (@MorganWallen) May 9, 2023
Wallen, who had postponed a weekend of shows last month, due to vocal problems, announced the disappointing news of his vocal rest on social media.
“I got some bad news from my doctors at the Vanderbilt Voice Center yesterday,” Wallen says in a video shared on social media. “After taking ten days of vocal rest, I performed three shows last weekend in Florida, and by the third one, I felt terrible. So I went in and got scoped yesterday, and they told me that I reinjured my vocal folds, and that I have vocal trauma. Their advice is that I go on vocal rest for six weeks, so that’s what I’m gonna do.
The Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam also includes performances by HARDY, Miranda Lambert and Kane Brown, who will headline the other three nights, along with performances by Justin Moore, Chase Rice, Gabby Barrett, Breland and more.
Lambert and HARDY will also perform at Carolina Country Music fest, joined by Brooks & Dunn, Travis Tritt, Tracy Lawrence, Lainey Wilson, Scotty McCreery, Bret Michaels and others.
