NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Fellow musicians and fans alike are criticizing country artists who performed at outdoor concerts this weekend where social media pictures showed large, tight crowds without masks, even as COVID-19 cases resurge in the United States.
Country singer Chase Rice posted video of his concert in East Tennessee with the words “We Back,” on the same week state health officials reported the biggest one-day jump in people testing positive for the coronavirus.
Country star Kelsea Ballerini called Rice “selfish” for risking people’s health by playing in front of a large crowd. Americana star Jason Isbell also indirectly piled on, saying some country artists were “so broke” they played concerts over the weekend “regardless of what might happen to their non-isolated, maskless audience!” Country singer Mickey Guyton said video of the crowd at Rice’s concert made her sick to her stomach.
Rice addressed the controversy on Monday in a social media post in which he said, “There’s a lot of varying opinions, lot of different opinions on COVID-19, how it works with live music, crowds.” He said that fans’ safety is a huge priority and said his next show will be a drive-in show in Kentucky. He asked fans to “please go by the rules, please go by the laws.”
The owner of the venue where Rice played in Tennessee said the concert was approved by both city and county officials.