Kenny Chesney Concert Keeps Going, Even With Crushed Foot
This weekend started out like many weekends with CMT Insider. We arrived in our location city, this time Columbia South Carolina, excited about the interview and the upcoming show we would be covering. This weekend was Kenny Chesney and the first stadium stop on his Poets and Pirates Tour. Everything was going perfectly.We had a great interview and the weather was gorgeous, despite the threat for bad weather later in the day. The stadium was empty, quiet, and full of promise. Kenny was really excited and could barely sit still in his seat as he spoke about the upcoming show. He was especially excited about the extra T-section of stage that would allow him to reach even more fans. He joked that it would be giving him quite a workout trying to cover that whole area.
Later in the day, the tailgaters started to arrive. I have never seen tailgating like this. One fan had even turned her bus into a tiki hut complete with sand. Unfortunately the skies opened up just before the stadium was set to open and dampened the tailgating fun. Everything was postponed just a bit, but the fans did eventually make their way to their rain drenched seats. Kenny fans are loyal to the core and these hard working folks weren't going to let their hard earned dollars go to waste. No one could have predicted just how hard Kenny would have to work later that night to give his fans this show.
After watching Luke Bryan, Leann Rimes, Gary Allan, and Brooks and Dunn rock the crowd, it was Kenny's turn to do what he does best. He let our cameras in on his warm up ritual. He has a vibe room set up backstage at every show and he gathers the band, friends, and family together for a big toast. His horn section played "When The Saints Go Marching In" and then it was time to hit the stage.
We could all feel the anticipation in the air. The lights dimmed and I watched from backstage as Kenny slowly rose up into the platform in the center of the stadium. At first it just seemed like he was taking his time standing up. The band kept playing and we all started to wonder why he wasn't singing yet. He managed to get a few lines out and then was silent again. It was becoming clear that he was stuck. It looked like he was struggling to free his right foot. The backstage area was quickly becoming chaotic with everyone trying to figure out exactly what was wrong and how to help him. Just then, he was able to free his foot and started singing. He sounded slightly winded but alright. We all let out a big sigh of relief and for a moment assumed it was all ok. It was only after a few minutes we realized that he was starting to limp. Anyone who knows Kenny knows that he would never let his fans see him this way if he could help it. We all knew he wouldn't be limping if he wasn't in serious pain. Then he turned his back to the audience during a guitar solo and slumped over in front of the drums. It was then that I could see clearly the pain on his face. By now there were emergency workers backstage preparing ice packs, but he kept playing. Song after song he kept going. He didn't just stand there and sing, he continued to make his way up and down the long catwalk and reach down to touch his fans while singing. I can't imagine what was going through his head, but I can only hope the adrenalin helped with the pain.
I am now back in Nashville and it is Sunday night. The last news we heard is that he was seeing a surgeon and that it was likely he had crushed bones in his foot. I am told they had to cut his boot off because of the swelling. Perhaps we will know more tomorrow about the extent of his injuries.
I have never known an artist to work harder than Kenny Chesney and seeing this show first hand just convinced me even more that he has truly earned every bit of his success. Kenny knows who he works for, but there probably wasn't a fan in that stadium that would have been angry if he had stopped playing. He could have stopped, but he didn't. Get some rest Kenny!
CMT Insider's May 3rd episode will originate from Columbia, S.C. and will include a lengthy interview with Kenny Chesney as well as exclusive footage backstage. Get show times here.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of 
Mike Twisdale says:
Before this weekends concert, I was a big Kenny fan. Now, after seeing him perform in the pain he was in, I am that much more of a fan. When the lights came up, I turned to a friend and made the comment “something is wrong with Kenny, he has pain on his face”.
Kenny, if you read this, you are an amazing performer and my prayers go out to you. You made the toast to your guitarist during the show, and I made one to you. Thank you for your hard work. That night in Columbia, I said to myself, “if you didn’t want to stop performing, at least sit down”. That would have been fine with me and the other fans being you were in so much pain and you didn’t want to stop.
Thanks again for a great time.
Marie Neal says:
I have been a Kenny Chesney fan for many years and Saturday night Kenny proved just how dedicated he is to his fans. Many artists would have stopped the show but not Kenny. He continued with his show and gave us 110% of himself. He thanked us for sticking with him but in reality we should be thanking him for sticking with us. Kenny proved to everyone not just those of us in Columbia, that he loves what he does and just how passionate he is about his fans and his music. I am so very proud to call myself a fan.
Mary says:
Thanks Kenny……..you’re the best! Even though I wasn’t there, I can only imagine how much fun it was. I have been to a couple of your shows….one in Chattanooga, TN and in Las Vegas. I went reluclantly to the one in Chattanooga with my daughter because our seats were in the nose bleed section on the next to the last row!! Even so, it was the best concert I had ever been too! Thanks Kenny for being so great to your fans! I wish you a speedy recovery and a great tour this year.
From one East Tennesseean to another — hope to see you again soon!
Holly says:
I was at this show and I am an even bigger fan of Kenny, now. It was an amazing show!!!!
Kimberly says:
I would like for Kenny to do a re-make of the old tune by Gordon Lightfoot, called: ” Sundown”. Kenny is just a fabulous musician.
LJ says:
Not surprised to find out that Kenny not only did the show while fighting pain, but gave everyone the best of him.
Every thing I have read about him points to a true artist who really loves to perform.
Hope all is well with Kenny. All the best to him!
BJ says:
Kenny, I have never had the pleasure of seeing you in concert, but I DO LOVE your music!! Your music is the greatest picker-upper a person could have. My prayers are with you for a very quick recovery!
Cindy says:
I was in Columbia and it brought tears to my eyes when I saw the pain on Kenny’s face as he stood up. I immediately knew there was somethng wrong when he was bent over. You could tell he was pulling with all he had to free himself. I was only about 12-13 seats from the left side of the stage where he came up. I told the lady sitting next to me that something terrible was wrong and I just couldn’t understand why no one was helping him. Once he did free himself you could tell he was in a great deal of pain and I was praying that he was okay, but really wanted him to see a doctor. But he is SO dedicated to his fans that he would never have let us down even though we all would have understood and encouraged him to see a doctor.
This was my 4th Kenny concert…he is always AWESOME!! I’m proud to say I’m going again in August and I can’t wait!
Kenny I hope if you are reading these that you know how much you touched my heart the other night with your dedication to your fans and to country music.
Kenny….you are the BEST of the BEST!!!
We love you and wish for you a very speedy recovery!!
Take care of yourself and listen to the doctors!!
Marti says:
The show that Kenny put on was beyond believable! We all knew he was in extreme pain. I knew when he bent over that something had happened. I fully expected him to either leave the stage and cancel the rest of the show or at least sit down for it. He only sat twice. When he could not hop or limp, he got his crew to give him a lift. He NEVER stopped moving! I have been a fan of his for a long time. I always knew that he was dedicated and truly cared for his fans. He proved that Saturday night. I am even more of a fan now!!
I am a teacher and used Kenny’s performance as an example of perseverance. We all have a lot to learn from this!
Billie says:
I am very big fan of Kenny, over the past year his music has helped me through some very hard times. Kenny’s music has made me realize life is way to short to worry about all the little petty things life may throw at you. He has made me realize live life for fun not for the stress, just let go, be happy and be thankful for what you have. I get to go to my first Kenny concert in July, I am so excited I know I am driving my kids and my husband crazy about it. However, they just don’t understand how much Kenny and his music means to me. Maybe one day they will. Anyway I just want to thank Kenny and his music for coming into my life. He is a very blessed person to be able to bring so much joy to so many peoples lives. I cannot thank him enough. Thank you so much, keep up the great work, and take it easy on the foot. Get well soon because whether you believe it or not you are a very loved and needed person.
KAREN says:
I LOVE KENNY CHESNEY!!!!
and was at the concert when he got hurt,I felt his pain
even though he put on a GREAT SHOW.
I WISH YOU A QUICK RECOVERY KENNY.
YOU MEAN ALOT TO ME.
Crystal says:
Kenny Chesney is the man!!! Enough Said
Amanda says:
Kenny we are waiting for you! Can’t wait for your show in Baltimore May 10th!
Brandi says:
Your music makes me feels young again and your new song “Brandi” is the song I was named after, go figure. I feel like you are singing my life to me. I am a farmer in Mocksville, North Carolina and your music gets me thru these LONG days. I really admire YOU and I believe I AM YOUR BIGGEST FAN.
LOVE LOVE LOVE
BRANDI
Aerianna says:
hey waz up i love your
Aerianna says:
songs they are so inspiring
Julie Huffman says:
Kenny,
I have seen you twice. The first time the VERY NIGHT my son was buried who died of cancer at the age of 17. Your concert was his last wish but he died before he got his wish. I wish more than anything my son Ryan could have been there with me. If you could have seen us togeher with your music before he died. THe funeral video is your music. EVERYTHING is your music. We love you…..thanks for keeping on going when times are tough. God knows, I do it everyday……I still continue to listen to your music every day. It is bittersweet for me but I listen at the cemetery also…….we all love you…..wish I could win the trip to spend some time with you………
katie says:
THIS IS WHY KENNY IS ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR…AND SHOULD ALWAYS BE!!! I’ve seen Kenny the past 5 summers in concert and it gets better every year & it wouldn’t be summer without seeing Kenny!!! I love you Kenny and I hope your foot gets better! see you out on the road, Katie
Dion Weaver says:
while it is too bad Kenny hurt his foot, and sounds like he will have a full recovery which is good news, I have to disagree completely with the author saying he hasn’t seen tailgating like this. Apparently he is strictly a commericial mainstream country music fan, and has never even been to a jimmy buffett, grateful dead , or even phish concert. because the now defunct “grateful dead” were on an entirely different level of tailgating then Kenny chesney concerts could ever hope to do. And of course, Jimmy Buffett concerts are much bigger tailgates than a chesney concert. and much more creative than Chesney, Chesney tailgates are really nothing more than alot of drinking with a few people who rarely “get out much” and thinks his “no shoes, no shirt” song is a caribbean classic like a bob marley song. But I guess for the trailer park crowd , it probably is a beach classic. either way it is still fun. Keep up the good work Kenny!