- The Washington Times - Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Country music star Morgan Wallen said Monday he is on vocal rest for the next week, one day after he left thousands of fans in the lurch by abruptly canceling a stadium show in Oxford, Mississippi.

The vocal woes are causing the 29-year-old singer to postpone shows in Michigan, Illinois and Nebraska on his recently started seven-month world tour, according to an announcement he made on social media.

“I spent the day resting up, talking to my doctor and working through my vocal exercises trying to get better. I really thought I’d be able to take the stage, and it kills me to deliver this so close to showtime, but my voice is shot and I am unable to sing,” Mr. Wallen said Sunday on social media.

Nearly 60,000 people were packed into Vaught Hemingway Stadium at Ole Miss when a Jumbotron message read, “Unfortunately Morgan has lost his voice and is unable to perform tonight. Therefore, tonight’s show has been canceled,” according to The Clarion-Ledger.

The announcement said people could begin securing their refunds Monday.

Mr. Wallen had performed the night before at the same venue before he said he started losing his voice after the show.

In a follow-up post, Mr. Wallen said, “I appreciate and understand everything you do to get to my shows, so it would be unfair for me to put on a show that I know I will not be 100% for.”

That apology wasn’t well-received by every fan.

TMZ reported that one attendee filed a federal lawsuit against the country singer for breach of contract and negligence. Court documents say ticket refunds — which the lawsuit said hadn’t been issued yet — don’t account for other expenses, such as food, lodging and transportation.

The tour is coinciding with the release of Mr. Wallen’s newest album, “One Thing at a Time.”

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.

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