The dates have been added piecemeal as Wallen continues to deal with the fallout of TMZ posting a video of the country star saying a racial slur in February, including not being allowed to perform or attend Nov. 10’s CMA Awards.
Consequences also included his booking agency, WME, dropping the artist. As previously reported by Deadline, some concerts that were booked prior to Wallen’s controversial incident were re-booked through WME’s internal system, though no new shows have been booked through WME. The agency also told Deadline that commissions from Wallen’s concerts were being donated to charity. WME confirmed to Billboard that they are not booking new shows for Wallen.
Fans and venues, however, are ready to welcome Wallen back. “Lexington loves country music! The overwhelming response for this show indicates that Lexington is a hot concert market,” said Oak View Group Facilities’ Brian Sipe, general manager of entertainment complex Central Bank Center, which includes Rupp Arena. “With Lexington being a new member of the Oak View Group Facilities family, we are thrilled that country music superstar, Morgan Wallen, is coming here to Rupp Arena for three back-to-back nights! We can’t wait to show why Lexington is one of the top cities for artists to play, and for fans to come see some of the greatest performers in the world.”
Next year, Wallen will headline three of the five Country Thunder festivals, including Country Thunder Arizona (April 7-10), Country Thunder Wisconsin (July 21-24) and Country Thunder Florida in Kissimmee (Oct. 21-23).
