NASHVILLE, Tenn.–These are uncertain times,and Kenny Chesney feels the unrest. With his bandand crews deepin rehearsals for the2020Chillaxification Tour, he found himself looking at people who’ve been part of his road family for decades– and he knew he had to do something. It wasn’t an easy decision, but when you’re invested in the musicians, the techs, the drivers and especially the fans, it comes down to one thing.
“You can’t take risks without really understanding the consequences,” explains the man hailed as “The King of the Road” by theWall Street Journal.“In times of uncertainty, I won’t take chances with those I love. I can’t imagine, as much as we love being out there playing for the fans, being able to do that through the worry our nation is experiencing.
“So, while we wait to see how this terrible virus is going to impact our country, I think it’s only fair to move these first several dates now. We are figuring some of this out as we go, but I know people buy airline tickets,bookhotel rooms – and I wanted to try to giveeveryoneas much time to sort that out as possible.”
Currently,sevenstadiums and four amphitheater shows have been postponed. Starting with theBlue Chair Bay Rum PresentsKenny Chesney’s 2020Chillaxification TourFueledby Marathonkickoff Saturday, April 18 at AT&T Stadium inArlington,Texas,the postponementsrun throughMay28atBlossom Music CenterinCuyahoga Falls, Ohio.Representatives for Messina Touring are working in the hopes of finding alternate dates later in the touring season. Hopefully within six weeks, all the moving pieces will be resolved; new dates should be in place. Those unable to attend will be refunded.
“This is all uncharted,” acknowledges Chesney. “I’m like everyone else: watching the news, wondering when we may know something concrete, not sure how this gets transmitted, worried someone I know will catch it. I want to believe this will all be okay in the end;but right now, I don’t feel like this risk to No Shoes Nation is worth it.
“Nobody wants to get out there for these shows more than I do. We’ve started rehearsals; everything is loaded in – and the band sounds great. Music is medicine when your soul or your heart need healing, but I don’t want my music to put anyone at risk. So, Ipromise:we are going to work as quickly as we can to sort out what we can and can’t do in terms of these dates. We’re going to cross our fingers this pandemic will resolve as some of theexperts have suggested,and wehope to kick offthe tourMay 30that Heinz Field in Pittsburgh,a venuewe’ve played since2005. Butmostly, I hopethis virus is contained, and the suffering and deaths are kept to the fewest possible people.”
The 2020ChillaxificationTourcontinuesthe enduring rite of summer Chesney’s stadium shows have become. With“Here & Now” capturing the reality of livingin the now, celebratingthe moment andthe notiondon’tpostpone your life,Chesney realizes how precious everyexperienceis. Noone is more committed to making memories, capturing life in song and celebrating the awesomeness of being right where you are more than the 8-time ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year.
Blue Chair Bay Rum PresentsKenny Chesney’s 2020Chillaxification TourFueledby Marathon
withFlorida Georgia Line, Old Dominion andMichaelFranti& Spearhead
POSTPONED DATES
April 18AT&T Stadium Arlington, Texas
April 25Miller ParkMilwaukee, Wis.
May 2U.S. Bank Stadium Minneapolis, Minn.
May 7*iThinkFinancial AmphitheatreWest Palm Beach, Fla.
May 9Raymond James Stadium Tampa, Fla.
May 13*BankPlusAmphitheaterSouthaven, Miss.
May 14*Brandon AmphitheaterBrandon, Miss.
May 16Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta, Ga.
May 22Minute Maid ParkHouston, Texas
May 23AlamodomeSan Antonio, Texas
May 28*Blossom Music CenterCuyahoga Falls, Ohio
More Informationas itDevelops
* MichaelFranti& Spearhead ONLY