Jason Aldean Gets Hit in the Face with a Flying Beer
Hey Jason Aldean, this Bud’s for you!
Actually it’s probably not funny to make light of the fact that a growing population of mainstream country fans apparently think it’s appropriate to whip stuff at their favorite pop country performers while they’re on stage. Don’t they understand the fine tuning of choreography that goes into today’s mainstream country show, and the slightest glitch can be like a monkey wrench in the gears?
That’s exactly what happened on Thursday night at the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas after Jason Aldean got hit in the side of the head with a half full cup of beer right as he was singing a “duet” with Kelly Clarkson. Of course Kelly Clarkson wasn’t there, so as Aldean attempted to recover from the Miller High Life haymaker, fidgeting with his in-ear monitor and receiving help from a roadie, Kelly Clarkson’s pre-recorded audio continued to play in the background.
Capt. Dave Mattingly of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office told The Wichita Eagle, “The incident entails a person who had been drinking who had a cup of beer and wanted to get Jason Aldean’s attention to let him know that his friend, who was also at the concert, had just gotten engaged and he wanted Aldean to somehow acknowledge it on stage.”
Sounds like a pretty plausible plan.
The fan was eventually acknowledged by Aldean, but it was with a simple, “No,” as he pointed the assailant out to security. The beer chunker was eventually apprehended and escorted to authorities. Later in the show, Aldean said to the crowd, “It took everything I had not to go kick that guy’s teeth in,” but apparently Aldean has decided to not press charges, and he was not significantly injured in the incident.
Dustin Lynch can’t say the same thing after he got hit with a full can of beer in Florida in late 2014 and required multiple stitches. The Wichita incident could be the preamble to this summer’s pop country concert season which if last year was any indication, could set a record for the amount of arrests, hospitalizations, rapes, and other incidents tied to the unruly and generally moronic fans such events appear to be attracting at a higher rate than ever.
April 11, 2015 @ 9:06 am
Normally I wouldnt laugh since a guy could have been hurt at least semi-seriously, but really, when you actively court dumb pieces of trash through your music, don’t be surprised when those same pieces of trash are so unintelligent that they fail to understand throwing stuff at a person is a bad idea.
April 11, 2015 @ 9:06 am
This is the audience he draws, young rowdy drunks can get a little out of control. Why doesn’t this happen at George Strait and Alan Jackson concerts? CLASS
April 12, 2015 @ 7:22 am
well if you are paying $250 face value for floor seats that close then they probably wouldn’t throw a beer either.
April 11, 2015 @ 9:20 am
This can’t be correct . We can’t be talking about that same gentle romantic who sings that beautiful love song ” Burnin It Down ” ? . Then again ….I wonder if he was singing that beautiful love song when the guy launched the beer can at him . And we’re sure it was a can of beer ? Hmmmm . Guess he ” Ain’t Worth The Whiskey ” .
April 11, 2015 @ 9:25 am
I’m not an Aldean fan, but this is completely unacceptable. ANY artist performing on the stage deserves to do so safely, without flying debris, beer, or ANYTHING being thrown at them. it ridiculous, and the people that do this need to be escorted out by security, period.
It’s interesting; I once saw this happen at a Megadeth concert; some idiot pitched a shoe at Dave Mustaine, and Dave and the band walked off for a half hour, came back and told the crowd the guy that threw the shoe was a moron (I believe by this time security has escorted him out, don’t know for sure), asked that nobody else toss anything up on the stage, then proceeded to rip through the rarely played “Mechanix”, much to the delight of the crowd. They finished the show unscathed, and fans we happy.
It’s really sad, though, that there are stupid people out there that think tossing anything on stable is acceptable. I fully support security tossing those guys out on their ear, or even having them arrested. It just ruins things for everyone.
April 11, 2015 @ 10:40 am
The right thing for Aldean to do would be to basically copy Jason Isbell when he intervened and kicked out an unruly fan and let the audience (at least for that night) know that that crap was not gonna be allowed.
Aldean wont do that though, because it would totally trash the image he and his handlers have crafted for him. Plus he isnt very intelligent it would seem…
May 15, 2022 @ 6:41 am
Pictures I’ve seen of Aldean, most recently in people magazine, he looks all washed out, pale…..SUPER HUNGOVER ????????????????????????????????????????????????
April 11, 2015 @ 11:41 am
I agree. The safety of performers should be a concern that should override every music fan’s feelings on taste. I also think that the increase of such incidents, if in fact there is one as many theorize, is a commentary on the culture surrounding and inspired by the music.
April 11, 2015 @ 9:27 am
Blowback. Ain’t it a bitch.
April 11, 2015 @ 9:30 am
Just noticed autocorrect changed some words above in my post. Is it possible to get an “edit” feature for posting so we can fix stuff like this?
April 11, 2015 @ 11:47 am
I’m looking into adding this capability but it is a very advanced feature for a website such as this. I encourage people to proofread, and if it is something that really needs to be changed, email me through the contact forum and I will be more than happy to edit the comment myself.
April 11, 2015 @ 9:50 am
Wichita, Kansas…you guys are alright.
April 11, 2015 @ 9:50 am
Well, it couldn’t have made his singing voice any worse.
April 11, 2015 @ 9:54 am
When you sing songs that cater to punks with no respect what do you expect? Nuff said.
April 11, 2015 @ 9:57 am
The only thing Jason Aldean will ever be able to kick is the bucket.
April 11, 2015 @ 10:05 am
I believe it’s the same guy at both concerts, using the beer to test out his secret anti-pop country cannon, which when finished will shoot Porter Wagoner records that spin so fast they slice the target in half. If he gets it right I expect we’ll see him take Music Row by storm, driving out the bros like in a Clint Eastwood movie.
Okay that sounds ridiculous but it’s a lot more interesting than the beer-thrower’s friend getting engaged.
April 11, 2015 @ 10:33 am
Chickens coming home to roost? I sure hope he had his hat on to shield his hair. Truth is he was probably already hurting from puffing his chest out so far.
April 11, 2015 @ 10:35 am
Karma. Hope it was a Dixie cup.
April 11, 2015 @ 10:40 am
I do not like Jason Aldean’s music. At all. However, quit acting like this only happens at bro country concerts. I’ve seen fights, thrown beers, and all manner of pissing contest at a wide array of concerts. Merle, Eddie Vedder solo, Pearl Jam, Chris Knight, Ragweed, and so on..hundreds of shows. Mostly Texas country. In all truth, Ragweed and other Texas country shows were some of the worst shows I’ve been to as far as fights and douchery. It happens anywhere people get drunk. Liking Sturgill doesn’t somehow make alcohol affect you differently. The main problem is alcohol. I’m well aware that many of Jason’s fans are young. That definitely is a factor. I just believe alcohol is the common denominator.
April 11, 2015 @ 11:51 am
I’ve never asserted that these type of incidents only happen at Bro-Country concerts, though I have asserted they are on a dramatic rise at mainstream country concerts and that this might be a greater commentary on the music.
Here’s a couple of examples of me reporting on ugly incidents at independent music events:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/security-guard-stabbed-at-moonrunners-festival-in-chicago
https://savingcountrymusic.com/2-dead-23-injured-as-car-plows-through-sxsw-crowd
April 11, 2015 @ 11:09 am
I can understand the sentiment of those who frequent this site shouting karma and blowback and you reap what you sow, but this is unacceptable at any level and any genre.
These morons need to be called out and kicked out.
And for those that think it couldn’t/wouldn’t happen at a show by Alan Jackson/George Strait, et al, left unfettered, this kind of stuff creeps.
Just stop it. Now.
April 12, 2015 @ 5:26 am
I agree that it is unacceptable and the people who behave like that should be kicked out and arrested.
I thin so many people are commenting that it’s “karma” though because Aldean’s music has now long been a part of that bro-country genre which actively encourages that behavior…get as drunk and rowdy as possible, as often as possible, consequences be damned.
You can’t be part of a crowd that encourages that forever and not expect that sooner or later some of it is going to somehow blow back on you.
April 12, 2015 @ 11:12 am
I agree with you 100%.
April 11, 2015 @ 11:32 am
It’s hard to keep idiots out of live music. I was at a Neil Young solo acoustic show back in the 90s in an arena in Ohio, and one drunk dude near us (which was not close to the stage) held up sheet music and yelled “Ohio” the entire show. I’m not sure how he expected Neil to read the sheet music from about 200 yards away, but as drunk and loud as he was (and as quiet as the rest of the crowd was for a solo acoustic show), Neil undoubtedly heard it too. Needless to say, he didn’t play “Ohio.” I wonder if he was planning on playing it before that guy intervened? Point is, there are a lot of “special” folks out there (most made a lot more special by a massive amount of alcohol), and they tend to go to concerts.
April 11, 2015 @ 1:53 pm
I couldn’t agree more about the idiots at concerts. I go to shows all the time and there’s almost always somebody (usually an older woman) who gets chocolate all up in my Peanut Butter. back in 13 I saw the Time Jumpers, but not two rows away was this old gal who had the unmitigated gall to refer to Ranger Doug as “one of Roy Rogers’ singing cowboys” I mean is that the biggest insult to Ranger Doug’s career or what? Or again, and a Natalie MacMaster show, some old dear repeatedly got the name of the Steep Canyon Rangers confused. And at the end of 13 some senior had the nerve to get up in my blind father’s business (while his Brother-in-law was in the hospital while we went to a show) from having his phone light up while he was turning it off. then just a few months ago when I got to see Scythian a whole group of girls who looked like they belonged at a Taylor Swift show lined up in front of the seats to dance, effectively blocking the whole stage. I can’t stand these people!!!!!
April 12, 2015 @ 8:23 pm
Sounds like three instances I can remember: at a Gene Watson concert not that long ago, from the second balcony no less, this moron was yelling, “Old Man and His Horn” repeatedly. Finally, Gene told the guy to simmer down and behave himself. He eventually played the tune, but you could tell he was like, “what’s this guy’s problem?”.
Same thing at a Bob Seger concert I went to. This clown, right behind my wife and I, kept yelling, “Still The Same, Bob! Play it, buddy!”. We were in about the tenth row, and Seger obviously heard the guy. Didn’t play the song, though. Take that, loud clown!
The last one I can think of was at a George Jones concert, where this guy, drink in hand, creepily lurked at the front of the stage and stared at Jones for about a half an hour before returning to his seat. I’m sure security had their eyes on this guy, but jeez, what was this dumbasses’ problem?
I swear, some people are so damn stupid it’s amazing they can get out of bed in the morning. And I totally agree; these dummies always find the cash to buy a ticket and ruin everyone else’s experience in some way. Frankly, if you’re hollering and making an ass out of yourself and it’s clearly obnoxious, then you should be escorted out by security.
April 11, 2015 @ 1:44 pm
Well, I guess there is some good “Country” music news every now and then.
April 11, 2015 @ 4:07 pm
Fans should respect the artist on stage if you don’t like the singer don’t go to his or her concert. Don’t throw things on the stage at the singer it is totally wrong.
April 11, 2015 @ 9:16 pm
Anyway there is no excuse for this. Jason Aldean is a human being and he is making music for his diehard fans and money or his family. Fans who do such stupid thing like that are not real fans. it is sickening and inexcusable. Get a life unreal fans.
April 12, 2015 @ 3:01 pm
Read some of the many 1 star itunes reviews of Old Boots, New Dirt. Lately he’s been making music more for pop fans than his diehard fans and I know many of them are pop fans but many are country fans. Aldean has cut some great songs like The Truth, written by one of the great women radio isn’t playing. Now he’s trying to copy FGL and cutting their songs. He and others are better leaders than followers of pop, rap and bro-country trends.
April 11, 2015 @ 4:29 pm
Hmm, so what’s the official cumulative tally of yankee vs. redneck bro country concert violence?
April 11, 2015 @ 8:43 pm
Shitty music attracts shitty fans. It’s as simple as that.
April 11, 2015 @ 9:34 pm
I never thought I could hear of this kind of scenario and not feel sorry for the performer, but Jason Aldean’s choices about what to record have created this monster. Also, is there any less likable artist in country music? The guy is arrogant, monumentally stupid, and for all intents and purposes, remarkably untalented when compared to even his peers. He doesn’t write songs, isn’t much of a singer (if his voice wasn’t somewhat unique, he never would have made it).
Some things you bring upon yourself.
April 11, 2015 @ 9:44 pm
Seeing this stuff way to much. At a Pat Green show a few weeks agoand folks were throwing all kinds of stuff. Started with shirts, but was mainly and small stuff like coins. He finally stopped the show for a bit and said “cut the shit or we are done” and the crowd policed it. Stupid.
April 11, 2015 @ 11:24 pm
I hope Jason be ok because this is uncalled for. I don’t really care for songs lately but there are no reason for a stupid fan to throw a beer at Jason Aldean’s face. I mean he could get hurt. This idiot fan should be kicked out and be arrested to do something like that. I hate stuff like that.
April 12, 2015 @ 3:06 pm
I’m not saying it’s right but I don’t see how a half full cup of beer could hurt him. If it was a can or bottle, yeah.
April 12, 2015 @ 4:31 am
Maybe it was his ex-brother-in-law just getting him back for ruining his kid’s lives…
April 12, 2015 @ 5:05 am
And maybe it was Tyler Farr!
April 12, 2015 @ 5:29 am
I could buy that if it had been an EMPTY beer can. 😛
April 12, 2015 @ 7:24 am
In his defense (can’t believe I said) this is just how some moron young people are that can’t handle drinking beer. A lot of beer gets thrown at the LJT Music Festival.
The question should be why is someone wasting a perfectly good beer!?
April 12, 2015 @ 7:48 am
1. When you encourage that type of behavior, don’t be surprised when it bites you in the ass (or hits you in the face)
2. The part I dislike the most is the threat from Jason Aldean… took all I had not to kick his teeth in…. I get he was mad, I would be too… but, you either kick his teeth in or shut up. Coulda woulda shoulda is just pandering. His dumb fans think he’s a badass, but he doesn’t actually have to do anything to prove it.
April 12, 2015 @ 9:19 am
I’m gonna risk offending younger folks ….but I think when you cater to a younger demographic with your music , you get what you ask for at your concerts – a younger , more immature concert-goer …many of whom view alcohol or drugs as a concert-going necessity . Add to that the ‘venues’ of many of these shows. -outdoors , general admission seating…often on the grass – and you create an environment conducive to substance usage and sharing . ( Woodstock , anyone ? ) . An entertainer who courts this crowd had better pack chicken wire cuz I doubt this behavior is going away anytime soon . Just as the rock n roll bands who’ve seen it for decades .If you are a contemporary ‘ country ” act , you are pretty -much a rock act when it comes to delivering the goods live. I’m gonna guess you wouldn’t see red solo cups launched at a Lee Ann Womack or a Vince Gill or ANY bluegrass show .
April 12, 2015 @ 11:58 am
You’d also never see Jason Aldean at a Womack show or Bluegrass festival. “Womack? never drank that.” “Bluegrass? Never smoked that.”
April 13, 2015 @ 12:57 am
Good point. I think most of it comes down to the person. I am 30, and I never have done what that person did.
April 13, 2015 @ 12:52 pm
“I”™m gonna risk offending younger folks ”¦.but I think when you cater to a younger demographic with your music , you get what you ask for at your concerts ”“ a younger , more immature concert-goer ”¦many of whom view alcohol or drugs as a concert-going necessity .”
I think you’re probably onto something here. Back in the ’50s, the last era when country music was as widely accepted by young fans as it is today, these sort of stories weren’t that uncommon. With the advent of rock-n-roll in the mid to late ’50s many young listeners started jumping ship, leaving country as the music of choice for more mature audiences.
April 13, 2015 @ 12:34 am
I am not a fan of Jason’s music, however that is totally unacceptable. I don’t understand why people feel the need to get drunk at concerts. I have maybe one beer, when I first get there, most of the time I only drink half, and give the rest to somebody else. Your there to enjoy the concert not drink.
April 13, 2015 @ 8:13 am
Jason Aldean is not “Worth the Whiskey”
April 13, 2015 @ 12:30 pm
I’ll be going to one of the Chesney/Aldean/Gilbert/Swindell shows at Gillette Stadium in August. The tickets were a Christmas gift for my girlfriend. She’s a 5’1” blonde. And after reading so much about the foolishness that goes on at these bro-country shows these days, she is not leaving my sight for 1 second the entire time.
April 13, 2015 @ 12:36 pm
Your girlfriend wants to go to this show? you need a new girlfriend.
April 13, 2015 @ 12:48 pm
The tickets were for an older friend of mine, but I had the extra money so I got extra tickets. I’ve taken her to Garth, Sturgill, Whitey Morgan and Aaron Lewis. She’s coming to my side.
April 13, 2015 @ 1:31 pm
Back in 1984 I was at a (God forgive me) Ratt show in NYC (right next to the Intrepid) and someone hit the guitar player directly in the hand with a full beer right in the middle of his guitar solo. I don’t know why people will drop $10 on a cup of watery flavorless beer then throw that beer at the entertainer they just paid money to see, but alcohol is sometimes known to cloud judgment. Seriously though, you’ve got to expect some drunken mayhem at your shows when half of your catalog centers around “gettin’ drunk”. You can’t sell a drunken escapist fantasy and expect your fans to sit there quietly, a good percentage of these “bro country” fans go to these shows specifically to get hammered and nothing more.