Billy Strings and Brett Eldredge canceled concerts in Nashville and Chicago this week because of the Omicron COVID variant surge, but Eldredge has hopes for shows later this week.
They also decided based on rising numbers of positive COVID cases in their ranks. Strings had members with positive cases, while Eldredge had a COVID infection. Rolling Stone reported on the cancellations.
Strings gave a Sunday afternoon update on social media, saying he’s worked with his team on how to figure out ways to do shows but with no luck.
Strings’ Band Hit With COVID
The bluegrass singer-guitarist was in Michigan visiting family and announced Dec. 30, Dec. 31, and Jan. 1 shows are off in Grand Rapids.
He had already canceled his Nashville “String the Halls” shows on Dec. 17 and Dec. 18 at Marathon Music Works.
“We got two or three key players on our team that are COVID positive right now, and they’re not going to be better by this weekend. We can’t pull the show off without them,” he said.
Strings went on to say that his team considered the “health and safety of our loved ones (including his fans)” and decided to “sit this one out.”
“I feel really sh*#y about it and hope to make it up to you somehow,” Strings added.
The String the Halls shows were to benefit the Nashville Rescue Mission. Strings, 29, asked for fans to bring donation items straight to the shelter. He also vowed to make show posters (five in total) available for purchase, with the proceeds going to the rescue mission.
Billy Strings Tweeted that “all tickets for the shows and any Nugs streaming tickets will be refunded at point of purchase.”
Credit/debit purchases would get automatically refunded.
One Twitter user responded, “Bummer but the right call. Stay safe, rest easy and we’ll see y’all in Greensboro in February.”
Infected Eldredge Called Chicago Shows
Meanwhile, singer Brett Eldredge postponed Dec. 17 and 18 shows of his Glow Live holiday tour in Chicago. The reason? He tested positive.
He talked about plans to go to the airport but felt sick before getting there. Eldredge, 35, decided to take a few COVID tests and soon learned of the infection.
“Today has been a really rough day,” Eldredge said in an Instagram Live video on Thursday. “I decided to go check to see one last time to make sure it wasn’t Covid. And unfortunately, it turns out it was Covid, which really sucks.”
But happily, Eldredge could reschedule both dates before the end of the year. He will play that Chicago shows on Dec. 29 and 30.
Billy Strings, however, has his concert tour on hold at the moment.
The cancellations come another Covid wave is hitting New York and other states. This time, the highly transmissible Omicron variant is to blame.
Radio City Music Hall canceled four Christmas performances because of positive cases within the production. Broadway shows like “Tina” and “Hamilton” have seen canceled performances.
This past Thursday, Nashville reported its first case of Omicron. At this point, the city will have a massive New Year’s Eve concert on Dec. 31. The show will air on CBS.
