NASHVILLE, TN. (BNA Records) - It could happen to anyone: stairs, suitcases, a turn - and then a fall. But when you're Kenny Chesney, gearing up for the follow-up to your wildly successful Guitars, Tiki Bars & A Whole Lot of Love Tour, it's a disaster.
Having spent the morning with orthopedic specialists, the man who sold over 1.2 million tickets last year announced that he will cancel and re-schedule the opening weekend of his Somewhere in the Sun Tour. Green Bay, Wisconsin, Fargo, North Dakota and St Paul, Minnesota are slated for a replay.
"I know the fans in Green Bay, Fargo and St Paul are gonna be disappointed," says the CMA Entertainer of the Year. "But they're not half as disappointed as I am about not being there. I was very excited about kicking off this tour, but hopefully this will only be a short setback... and you can bet I'm gonna be real serious about my physical therapy 'cause I wanna be in fighting shape and good to go for the shows."
Attending physician Dr. Burton Elrod explains, "Mr. Chesney has a severe ligament injury to his right ankle. He's going to have to undergo extensive and immediate physical therapy and rehab. He's going to have to play sore - with his ankle tapped or with a brace under his boot, but he's like an athlete who can perform with some pain. He wants to get back out there and because he's so athletic and in such good shape, he is going to heal a lot better and quicker than most people."
Because the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo's staging does not support the same level of physical intensity that Chesney's own stage does, that performance will go on as scheduled. Last year, Chesney broke George Strait's attendance record there - and given his long history with the event, he's still looking forward to being able to play.
"We were so in the zone and ready to rock," says Chesney, who's already figuring out how to maximize his recovery. "And when you're ready to get out there and play for the fans, this is the last place you want to find yourself. My ankle looks like a softball - and I'm keeping it elevated. We have one of the very best doctors in the country treating me. I've got a Game Ready boot, which we picked up from the Titans to help accelerate healing... so we're doing everything we can."
At this point, look for Green Bay to be March 23rd and 24th, Fargo March 25th and St Paul March 26th and the rest of the Somewhere in the Sun to go on as scheduled. With "Anything But Mine" sitting at #7 with a bullet on both the Billboard and Radio & Records chart, Be As You Are topping the Country Album Sales chart and When the Sun Goes Down heading towards quadruple platinum, 5 Academy of Country Music nominations - for Entertainer, Album, Male and a pair of Vocal Events - and 6 CMT Music Awards nominations - for Video of the Year, Male, Hottest, Vanguard and a pair of Collaborations, Chesney has a lot to shoulder. Getting his ankle back in shape is, no doubt, priority #1.
