The Show Must Go On In Wichita For Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley On Tour

ARISTA NASHVILLE artist BRAD PAISLEY put on a show unlike any other last NIGHT (2/25) during his WICHITA stop on the "CRUSHIN' IT WORLD TOUR." Supporting acts, ARISTA NASHVILLE artist CAM and EMI NASHVILLE artist ERIC PASLAY, both contracted the flu before the show, causing a scheduling shift.

CAM was unable to make it to the tour stop at all and has been at home in NASHVILLE trying to recover from her illness. PASLAY made it to WICHITA, but was forced to cancel his pre-party appearance with SCRIPPS Country KFDI/WICHITA before the concert. During the show, PASLAY performed for the crowd but was forced to bring a plastic trash can with him on stage -- just in case. KFDI morning host JJ HAYES told ALL ACCESS, "You could tell [PASLAY] was struggling, but didn't miss a note. It was the type of performance that earns respect. He did have a small plastic trash can on stage with him and joked, 'Who knows, maybe we'll have a great YOUTUBE moment if I have to use it.' At the end of his set, he walked off stage waving the trash can high in victory, because he didn't have to use it."

To add to the complexity of the evening, a mass shooting in WICHITA occurred YESTERDAY (2/25) evening around 5p (CT). Some of the KFDI staff had to return to the station to cover the breaking news, and PAISLEY immediately knew he would need to address the situation. "I will say a huge hats off to our news department and the people who were here at the station doing a great job covering that tragedy," KFDI MD CAROL HUGHES told ALL ACCESS. "Before the show [PAISLEY and I] were talking about the shooting and how he knew he had to address it from the stage." HAYES shared, "BRAD did speak a little about and reference the shooting. [He] said he was happy to be surrounded by love and people who love Country music." PAISLEY played an extended set, including an altered set list to exclude "Whiskey Lullaby," which he has been performing with CAM during this tour.

Kudos to the artists and staff involved in maintaining professionalism and pulling off a show with great success, despite severe illness and local tragedy.

« see more Net News