Gary Allan, Chris Young Sidelined at CMA Music Fest
Two of CMA Music Festivals’ most popular artists have been forced to miss a portion of the four-day event, following an illness and an accident. Gary Allan is suffering from vocal issues, while Chris Young injured his hand.
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Allan, who released the moody booze ballad “It Ain’t the Whiskey” last year, had to cancel his fan club party on Thursday because of a viral infection affecting his voice. The California native has had vocal issues in the past, undergoing surgery in 2010 to remove a polyp from his throat.
Young, meanwhile, had to cancel his marathon autograph signing and LP Field performance following a cooking accident Thursday night. The “Who I Am With You” singer returned home after celebrating at his own fan club party and cut his hand while preparing a late dinner. He underwent surgery Friday to repair injured tendons.
Coincidentally, the country star isn’t the only Young to slice his hand in the kitchen. In 1997, Neil Young cut his finger while making a ham sandwich and was forced to cancel a European tour.
In better country health news, Randy Travis made a rare public appearance last week, attending an Oklahoma concert by Dolly Parton, who tweeted the news. The deep-voiced Grammy winner known for such songs as “Three Wooden Crosses” and “Deeper Than the River” is recovering from a stroke suffered last July while battling a heart infection and has been all but reclusive since the health scare.
“There are some people you just love and admire for their talents. Tonight, one of those people are here. I actually think he is hiding somewhere way back there or dressed up like Kenny Rogers. But anyway, Randy Travis is here. So wherever you are, I hope you are enjoying the show,” Parton said onstage.
“Randy is one of my good friends and one of my favorite singer/songwriters of all time,” Parton added after the show. “He was looking good and doing great.”