We’re keeping Kenny Chesney in our thoughts. All of your favorite country music stars attended the 2018 CMAs on Wednesday, Nov. 14, but one big face, in particular, was missing from the crowd. Kenny sadly had to cancel his performance at the award show due to a death in his family.
“CMA Musical Event of the Year winner & Entertainer of the Year nominee @KennyChesney will be unable to appear on tonight’s telecast due to a death in the family,” the CMAs Twitter account shared on the social media platform prior to the show in Nashville.
CMA Musical Event of the Year winner & Entertainer of the Year nominee @KennyChesney will be unable to appear on tonight's telecast due to a death in the family.
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) November 14, 2018
Fans immediately sent their condolences to the 50-year-old on Twitter. “We’re so sorry to hear this. Keeping Kenny and his family in our thoughts and prayers,” one fan wrote. Another added, “Kenny so very sorry to hear about your loss… may God bless your family during this time… will miss seeing you at the CMA’s… continuous prayers.”
Kenny didn’t specifically address the death on social media, but he did take to both Twitter and Instagram to gush over his Musical Event of the Year honor. “Sometimes you hear songs & they just feel good. Occasionally one that feels good says something that people need to hear. That’s how I felt about ‘Everything’s Gonna Be Alright’ when I heard it. Proud to have been part of this with my friend, David Lee Murphy,” he wrote.
While Kenny was also nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Keith Urban took home the title in a surprise win instead. “I have so many people to thank, I wish I had more time to do it right now. The fans who are phenomenal, country radio, everybody who voted for this, thank you so much… above all, just God, I thank you for the blessings of this,” Keith, 51, tearfully said in his acceptance speech.
He concluded, “I wish my dad was alive to see this, but he’s watching over me tonight. And I just feel very, very blessed and very grateful that I get to do what I do. Thank you, all of you, for coming out and god bless country music. God bless you all.”
Here’s hoping we get to see Kenny at the award show next year!
August 02, 2022 - 10:20 BST Country music singer Kenny Chesney has expressed his sadness after the tragic death of a fan at his concert in Denver on Satuday night
Kenny Chesney has expressed his sadness after a female fan sadly lost her life at his show in Denver on Saturday.
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The country music superstar issued a statement on Sunday following the tragic event, revealing he was heartbroken after learning of the news and is grieving her loss alongside her family and friends.
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"I was devastated to learn of the loss of someone after our show. There had been so much joy, so much heart coming from the people of Denver last night — and to hear this is heartbreaking," his statement read.
He added: "Life is precious. Sharing music brings us together and that love we share makes us so much more. For the lady who came to share that love, there are no words. For her friends and family's loss, I grieve with them and for them."
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The unnamed woman died after she fell from an escalator at Empower Field at Mile High at the end of Kenny's concert, according to Denver police and the stadium.
Kenny's Denver concert ended in tragedy after a fan died
The police said that she was sitting on a railing of an escalator at about 10:52 PM when she fell to the concourse below and died as a result of the injuries she sustained.
"We extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the woman involved in the tragic incident," police spokesman Nate Magee said after her death was announced just after 11 PM on Saturday. No foul play is suspected, meaning police believe the woman was not pushed or jostled before she fell.
"To my understanding, there was none of that, it was just an accidental fall, I don't think anyone pushed her or anything like that," he told The Denver Post, citing witness accounts.
The singer issued a heartfelt statement to the family
The stadium's management company also publicly shared a statement on Twitter: "We extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the woman involved in the tragic incident that occurred at the end of Saturday's concert at Empower Field at Mile High.
"There is nothing more important than the safety of our guests, and Stadium Management Company is in communication with the Denver Police Department as it investigates this unfortunate situation," it added.
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