Travis Tritt.Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Travis Tritthascanceled four of his upcoming tour datesas a means of protesting the COVID-19 safety protocols the venues have in place for attendees.
The country singer, 58, said Monday that he has put the kibosh on shows at any venue with a COVID policy in place, including mask mandates and vaccination or negative testing requirements.
“This is a sacrifice that I’m willing to make to stand up for the freedoms that generations of Americans have enjoyed for their entire lifetimes,” he wrote. “There are plenty of promoters and venues around the country that appreciate fans and the freedom of choice in this great country, and those are the promoters and venues that I will be supporting.”
COVID-19 haskilled more than 700,000 people in the United States, making it the deadliest pandemic in American history.
The “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” singer’s canceled shows include dates at the Emens Auditorium in Muncie, Indiana, the Pearl River Resort in Philadelphia, Mississippi, the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois, and the Louisville Palace in Louisville, Kentucky.
The first three venues require concertgoers to wear masks, while Louisville Palace requires attendees to provide proof of a negative COVID test or proof of vaccine.
Tritt toldBillboardthat he and his team did not know about the venue restrictions when they booked the shows, and canceled them when they found out. He added that he does not require his touring staff to be vaccinated.
Tritt toldBillboardthat the large number of tickets still available for purchase to the tour dates that were later canceled had nothing to do with his decision.
“What we’re seeing is people are waiting until the very last minute to buy their tickets, to just make sure that the show is actually going to play and not be canceled or postponed the way the shows were last year,” he said.
Tritt’s decision echoes that of rockerEric Claptonand comedian Jim Breuer, who both issued public statements declaring they would not perform in venues with COVID-19 safety protocols in place.
Both used language similar to Tritt’s, with Claptonsayinghe did not want to perform on any stage “where there is a discriminated audience present,” and Breuerciting"the segregation of [venues] forcing people to show up with vaccinations" as his reason for doing so.
source: people.com
