Skip to main content

Chase Rice Speaks Out About Crowded Concert Controversy

No regrets. Chase Rice didn’t apologize in a video statement after receiving backlash for performing at a packed concert in Tennessee on Saturday, June 27, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

What We Know About 'Bachelor' Alum Victoria Fuller and Chase Rice's Relationship

The country singer, 34, addressed his followers via Instagram on Monday, June 29, after posting and then deleting a video of his concert, which showed the crowd at the venue without masks on amid social distancing concerns.

“Everybody had a blast, but then once I posted the video a lot of people seeing that online had a big problem with how the show looked,” Rice told his fans in the social media message.

The “Lonely If You Are” singer acknowledged the concerns of those who were upset by his choice to perform live during the global health crisis saying, “There’s a lot of varying opinions, a lot of different opinions on COVID-19, how it works with live music crowds and what all that looks like.”

The Florida native revealed that his main focus is the safety of his fans.

“My biggest thing is y’all. Y’all are why I get to write songs. Y’all are why I get to tour the country, why I get to do live shows and sing these songs to you guys and you guys sing them back,” he said. “You guys are everything to me, so your safety is a huge priority.”

Tennessee has seen large jumps in the numbers of people testing positive for coronavirus and on Monday the governor extended the state of emergency for another two months. The rules urge limited activity, maintaining social distancing and staying home whenever possible. It also limits gatherings of 50 or more people, though places of worship are exempt.

Biggest 2020 Album Releases

When it comes to his future shows, Rice explained he will be performing in Ashland, Kentucky, on Friday, July 3, but it is a drive-in show.

“You can take your trucks, take your cars. You have your own space, you can get out of your cars, you can get out of your trucks and party with me,” the “Eyes on You” singer told his followers. “Please do sing the songs, but stay in your own space, stay with the people you came with.”

He continued, saying the “biggest thing” that everyone can do right now is to be safe so normal live shows become a reality in the near future.

“Thank you guys for understanding. Please go by the rules, please go by the laws on this Friday show coming up and shows moving forward so we can get to regular shows soon enough,” Rice concluded. “Love you guys. God bless you and god bless country music.”

The “American Nights” crooner, who released a new album in January, came under fire on Sunday, June 28, when fellow musician Kelsea Ballerini and others called him out for taking the stage and putting his fans and those they come in contact with at risk of getting the virus.

“Imagine being selfish enough to put thousands of people’s health at risk, not to mention the potential ripple effect, and play a NORMAL country concert right now,” Ballerini, 26, tweeted on Sunday. “@ChaseRiceMusic, We all want (and need) to tour. We just care about our fans and their families enough to wait.”

John Legend, Katharine McPhee and More Stars Who’ve Performed Online Concerts Amid Coronavirus

Following the incident, a spokesperson for the venue told Variety that “numerous precautions were taken” before the gig took place, including a reduction of their maximum capacity of 10,000 to 4,000 people. According to Brian May, VP of the Brushy Mountain Group, which hosted the show, there were less than 1,000 concertgoers in attendance.

“All guests were given temperature checks prior to entering the venue and free hand sanitizer was provided to everyone at entry,” he told the outlet. “We were unable to further enforce the physical distancing recommended in the signage posted across the property and are looking into future alternative scenarios that further protect the attendees, artists and their crews and our employees.”

Fellow country singer Chris Janson was also criticized for performing in front of a packed crowd in Idaho on Saturday.

Us Weekly has reached out to Rice and Janson’s reps for comment.



from Celebrity News – Us Weekly https://ift.tt/31svxSA
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Musician Sophie Dead at Age 34 After 'Sudden Accident'

SOPHIE, a Scottish musician, DJ and record producer, has died at age 34. Stars We’ve Lost in 2021 Read article The multihyphenate’s team confirmed the news in a statement on Saturday, January 30, revealing that her death was unexpected. “It is with profound sadness that I have to inform you that musician and producer SOPHIE passed away this morning around 4 a.m. in Athens, where the artist had been living, following a sudden accident,” SOPHIE’s team said in a statement to The Independent . “At this time respect and privacy for the family is our priority. We would also ask for respect for her fanbase, and to treat the private nature of this news with sensitivity.” Celebrity LGBTQ Allies Read article The statement went on to tout SOPHIE’s many accolades in electronic pop music: “SOPHIE was a pioneer of new sound, one of the most influential artists in the last decade. Not only for ingenious production and creativity but also for the message and visibility that was achieved. An ico
Post a Comment
Read more

Pink Helps Husband Carey Hart Recover After Spinal Surgery

Carey Hart and Pink. Rob Latour/Shutterstock Hello nurse! Carey Hart is recovering from spinal surgery with lots of help from his wife, Pink — and he couldn’t be more thankful. Pink and Carey Hart's Relationship Timeline Read article The motocross star , 46, underwent lower spine disc replacement surgery on Thursday, September 23, and let fans know that the procedure was a “success” hours after he got out of the operating room. “One down and one to go,” he wrote on Instagram , adding that he was “up and out of bed and walking, just a few hours post-surgery.” By the next morning, he was already heading home. While still in the hospital on Friday, September 24, he posted a video of himself in his post-op gown taking a stroll around the building. “Been up five times since this,” he bragged. “Can’t wait to come back stronger than ever, and kick ass on my dirt bike in 2022.” While he thanked the staff at DISC Sports & Spine Center in Newport Beach, California, he gave the
Post a Comment
Read more

Baseball Legend Hank Aaron and More Stars We’ve Lost in 2021

It’s never easy to say goodbye. Scroll down to see Us Weekly ‘s tribute to the celebrities who died in 2021. Angie Jakusz The Survivor alum died in New Orleans following a long battle with cancer on January 8. She was 40. “Angie was an incredibly passionate person with an extraordinary lust for life,” her loved ones wrote in an obituary published via Nola.com. “Whether she was sewing, painting, drawing, doing nail art or makeup, costuming, reading, snorkeling, scuba diving, traveling or just raising hell, she did it lovingly and with laser precision. She was a founding member of the New Orleans Noise Coalition and had been a contestant on season 10 of Survivor.” Monty Brinton/CBS Joanne Rogers The musician, the widow of Fred Rogers , died in Pittsburgh on January 14. She was 92. No cause of death was given at the time. "Fred Rogers Productions is deeply saddened by the passing of Joanne Rogers. The loving partner of Fred Rogers for more than 50 years, she continued their
Post a Comment
Read more