Chris Stapleton Cancels Show Due to Illness, Highwomen Fill In

Chris Stapleton fans were disappointed on Friday (9-4) when hours before he was supposed to take the stage as the Friday night headliner at the three-day BottleRock Festival in Napa Valley, California, he canceled due to an undisclosed illness.
“It is with a heavy heart that I will be unable to perform tonight at the BottleRock Festival due to a non-COVID related illness,” a statement from the Stapleton camp read. “We sincerely apologize to the festival and the attending fans. Please know it isn’t a decision we made lightly and we thank you for your understanding. We are also grateful to the amazing Highwomen who, on a moment’s notice, have agreed to perform in our place. We are focused on getting well at home and hope to see you soon.”
Chris Stapleton had been the replacement Friday night headliner for Stevie Nicks, who cancelled all of her 2021 appearances on August 11th due to rising COVID cases stemming from the Delta variant.
The Highwomen were tapped as last-minute fill ins, though founding member Amanda Shires was unable to attend as she continues to recover from an emergency surgery. Fellow Highwomen members Maren Morris and Brandi Carlile were already on the BottleRock Festival lineup on Friday, along with G-Easy, Finneas, James Murphy, and Polo G, making it easy for them to slide into the headliner spot.
Songwriter Natalie Hemby—who has a new album Pins and Needles out October 8th—appeared in her regular spot in The Highwomen as well, and Brittney Spencer, who has recently been opening for Jason Isbell, filled in for Amanda Shires.
There is no word at the moment what illness caused Chris Stapleton to cancel. In 2017, Stapleton postponed eight shows for an undisclosed reason, later revealing a broken finger was the cause.
Stapleton’s next scheduled appearance is Summerfest at the American Family Insurance Ampitheater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 9th with Sheryl Crow.
September 4, 2021 @ 10:22 am
The greater disappointment rather than Chris cancelling is who filled in. Ugh.
September 4, 2021 @ 4:04 pm
Is it the music or the politics that explain your comment? 11 likes, I’m sure it will grow. All of your dead and gone outlaw country heroes would think the Trump Maga Q idiots are fucking nutters. As I said before, it baffles me that you all like good music. Fake name cowards, except you, Di.
September 4, 2021 @ 8:53 pm
I assumed Di was also a fake name, or even a purely satirical account….. with the whole “imma nuclear scientist but covid is ah hoax” thing. God I hope I’m right on that, for the sake of humanity.
September 5, 2021 @ 1:04 pm
Question for you fine gentlemen: I’m 100% independent, and most of my favorite artists lean left. Am I allowed to not like the Highwomen, and god forbid post a comment about it? I think they’re mildly annoying, but more importantly none of their music does anything for me. I’d be very disappointed if I was supposed to see Chris as well. I see the 2 of you dragging politics into everything and making more hateful comments about other people than anyone else. Go figure. But…I do have to give credit where it’s due…you’re on a country music website using your real names to espouse the same Twitter approved, socially acceptable talking points and complaining we can hear anywhere else. Wow. Bravo. So brave! And Billy, can’t stand the thought that someone who might be a scientist thinks differently? There are plenty more like her, and I don’t agree with everything she says, but her comments are far more interesting than your crybaby, wannabe thought policing put downs.
Stay brave guys.
September 5, 2021 @ 3:10 pm
It isn’t Twitter approved and socially acceptable. It’s facts. Science is real. Mythology is not. Congratulations on your overly long post. You could write for a country music site, “Jake”.
September 5, 2021 @ 4:10 pm
LOL…we went from someone expressing their disappointment for the band selected to fill in for Chris, to Trump, Maga, Q, Science and Mythology. Again, bravo….you’re doing the work.
September 5, 2021 @ 6:01 pm
Jake, that is why I didn’t respond. Just wasn’t worth it. Thanks. I am surprised Trig did not post a comnent as he usually does when someone posts these political diatribes. Hmm.
September 5, 2021 @ 10:29 pm
Honestly, I’m just sick of all of it. I’ve asked folks to respect these comments sections, and people just don’t care. I didn’t start this site to be a referee of comments.
September 6, 2021 @ 6:06 am
I understand Trigger. I myself have been trying to improve in that regard. Now, maybe others will as well.
September 5, 2021 @ 5:58 pm
Lol@simping this hard for a horrible pop country girl group
September 5, 2021 @ 10:59 pm
It could be that he like myself just doesn’t like them. Why the fuck does everything have to be political with you leftist nut bags? It is like everyone has to believe what you believe and agree with you.
September 6, 2021 @ 1:44 pm
Thats absolutely what they believe. How else can this guy make the leap from anyone who doesnt like the same music as them is a trump supporting qtard? Politics consumes this guys sad life to the point he views everyone as an enemy. He has SDE for sure.
September 6, 2021 @ 5:32 pm
Ha…now I understand your “handle.”
September 4, 2021 @ 10:42 am
I would definitely choose Stevie Nicks over Stapleton or The Highwomen. Still sounds fun if you aren’t stuck at home pulling nails and sanding beams on a labor day weekend. Oh well at least I can smoke grass and blast tunes while doing that. God bless!
September 4, 2021 @ 1:04 pm
At least Chris didn’t test positive. Wishing him the best.
September 4, 2021 @ 2:39 pm
Chris Stapleton is talented but the Highwomen is an outstanding Super Women’s Group.
September 4, 2021 @ 5:50 pm
Thoughts and prayers for Mr. Stapleton I hope to see him in person one day soon. Kudos to the Superwoman for standing in, I would love to see their show too.
September 4, 2021 @ 9:38 pm
I love the highway women. I hope they stay safe, and i hope Chris gets better too.
September 6, 2021 @ 7:42 am
I remember when Strait cancelled a show and Ronnie Milsap filled in. Still a lot of disappointed fans, quite a few requested refunds. Its natural. As for The Highwomen, i dont see their filling in as altruistic by any means. Stapleton has a HUGE following and packs out big venues. Thats a lot of cash money on the table. They saw an opportunity to get in front of a huge crowd and pull in some big money, no doubt. I personally would have asked for a refund. While talented, they are not anywhere near approaching his level.
September 6, 2021 @ 9:46 am
I pray that what ever was wrong , will be better soon . I would truly hate to miss a show from Chris Stapleton. he’s the best I’ve heard in years . Keep’em coming ,chris. Cynthia campbell
September 7, 2021 @ 1:56 pm
Get well wishes and prayer