Turnpike Troubadours Cancel Additional Shows, Mile 0 Fest Appearance
The woes for the Turnpike Troubadours and their fans continue after the band announced Saturday evening (1-26) that they will not be attending the 2019 installment of Mile 0 Fest where they were scheduled to headline on Thursday night, January 31st. This is on top of other cancellations announced Friday afternoon for shows at the Deluxe at Old National Centre in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, Jan. 25, The Pageant in St. Louis on Jan. 26th, as well as the makeup show for the date in Chicago scheduled for Jan. 27th. The band is saying the cancellations are due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
Plagued with multiple cancellations of shows in the latter half of 2018, the Turnpike Troubadours had been playing shows without a hitch throughout December, 2018 into January 2019. Then on Thursday night, the band canceled an appearance at the House of Blues in Chicago at 7:50 p.m., which was 20 minutes after doors to the venue opened. Attendees were given free drink tickets before being told the show had been canceled last minute due to frontman Even Felker being unable to make the show because of a delayed plane flight. The official word from the Turnpike Troubadours was, “Due to travel delays, it is with great regret that we need to postpone tonight’s performance at the House of Blues …We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you.”
However the rescheduled show was also canceled, which was a makeup show for a performance canceled in November, 2018. Multiple shows in the most recent round of cancellations were also makeup show for previously canceled dates. Along with multiple angry fans for the last minute nature of cancellations of some dates, the additional cancellation of shows after Chicago has some speculating if weather was involved with the Chicago cancellation at all.
Saving Country Music has reached out to the publicist of the Turnpike Troubadours as well as others for clarification on the Chicago cancellation, as well as an explanation for the further cancellations, but has received no response. The Turnpike Troubadours website also went offline on Saturday (1-26), making it even more difficult for fans to confirm which future dates are still live, and which ones have been cancelled.
As for Mile 0 Fest, they have released a statement, and confirmed that American Aquarium—which was scheduled to play right before the Turnpike Troubadours on Thursday night—will be headlining the evening. No word on if another band will be performing at the Truman Waterfront Amphitheater to make up for the vacant spot. Attendees are being told to download the Mile 0 Fest app, which will include all updated schedule changes once they are confirmed.
Mile 0 Fest has released the following statement.
Due to circumstances beyond Mile 0 Fest’s control The Turnpike Troubadours will not be performing this year. We, just like you, are obviously disappointed in this development, but happy to say that RC & The Ambers will still be performing their show at Cowboy Bill’s Saturday night. We still have over 60 fantastic artists on the line up and are looking forward to a stellar week of great music in paradise. We will be extending the set times of some of your favorite bands on Thursday night. We have no doubt that Thursday Night is going to rock! The whole Mile 0 Fest team will be working hard as always to bring you a one of a kind festival experience. See y’all in paradise.
RC Edwards is the bass player for the Turnpike Troubadours, and RC & The Ambers often features other members of the Turnpike Troubadours in the band.
Songwriter and performer Dalton Domino also announced recently that he will not be attending Mile 0 Fest as scheduled as he seeks treatment for personal issues.
More information on the latest rash of Turnpike Troubadours cancellations when it becomes available.
January 26, 2019 @ 7:59 pm
Damn. Love these guys hope they can sort out whatever needs sorting out. Got tickets to see them in Lincoln, NE on Valentines Day. Every time I’ve seen them live they have blown the roof off the place.
January 27, 2019 @ 12:29 pm
Better see if you can get a refund. Wouldn’t bet on them showing up
January 30, 2019 @ 8:03 am
Been burned three times after booking hotels and taking off work. In one case driving 240 miles. Won’t get fooled again. I will never buy advance tickets for this band again. If they are in the area and there are walk-up tickets available I’ll gladly attend and hope Evan doesn’t show up drunk off his ass. Sad how they seem to think they are so good that they can treat the fans like garbage.
January 26, 2019 @ 8:10 pm
Turnpike has turned into the Clevelans Browns of bands. The fans give them more than the band gives in return
January 26, 2019 @ 8:52 pm
More like the Steelers, loaded with talent but nothing of it.
January 26, 2019 @ 8:12 pm
Also I still blame Miranda for all this
January 26, 2019 @ 8:24 pm
Blaming Miranda is ridiculous. There are multiple videos on YouTube of Evan Felker bugged out and forgetting lyrics dating all the way back to 2014.
January 26, 2019 @ 11:47 pm
Big miranda fan eh?
January 26, 2019 @ 8:38 pm
Because blaming a grown ass man who is blowing up his career and the livelihood of the rest of the band and tour team isn’t an option?
January 26, 2019 @ 8:43 pm
What the heck does Miranda have to do with it. This is a grown man that needs help and has needed it girva very long time. That’s a very unfair statement and a ridiculous thing to say..
January 26, 2019 @ 8:48 pm
Tongue in cheek folks
January 26, 2019 @ 10:33 pm
Love when people fall for this shit and freak out.
Good one btw
January 27, 2019 @ 7:16 am
????????????
January 27, 2019 @ 11:53 am
FatherWombat is a dork
January 27, 2019 @ 12:50 am
Oh. My. Lord. How could you blame miranda?! You must be jealous that she’s a Beautiful independent WOMAN who has had more success than every MAN on this page. Leave her out of this
Sike nahh lol u right
January 27, 2019 @ 7:18 am
☝☝☝
January 27, 2019 @ 8:39 am
Haha, you don’t even get that they’re joking. That’s cute.
January 27, 2019 @ 9:24 am
Double sarcasm bootsie trust me I got ahold of what’s going on
January 27, 2019 @ 4:10 am
You idiot. I feel sorry for her! Who knows what story he fed her in his state. He’s letting people down all over the place, it’s what alcoholics do. I hope he gets the help he needs
January 27, 2019 @ 3:24 pm
That’s absurd. Seriously. You sound so ignorant.
January 29, 2019 @ 1:57 pm
It’s the voo doo poonanny.
January 26, 2019 @ 8:22 pm
Why in God’s name would anyone buy a ticket to see TT at this point? Oh well, Childers will be at Mile 0, and he WILL show up.
January 26, 2019 @ 8:30 pm
We figured this was coming. Hope they heal, but we’re going to see two Band of Heathens sets, two Jaime Wyatt sets, two Tyler Childers sets Jason, Courtney, Jamie Lin, Mike and the Moonpies, Bri and a plethora of others. Next band up.
January 26, 2019 @ 8:40 pm
Evan’s ill. The group is trying their best to deal with the issue and also keep playing for the fans. When Evan’s illness and the band’s schedule collide, you get “this”. Fans should prepare for more of this until Evan finally gets sober. Buy a ticket if you dare. But do not be surprised when the show cancels.
January 26, 2019 @ 8:46 pm
Sending prayers their way..
January 26, 2019 @ 8:46 pm
People have demons, and life sucks. If somebody needs help or time off or the rest of their career off, I’m more than okay with that. But by God, give some love and empathy back to your fans––or, how about just some basic human respect?––and be honest with us.
I’ve held my tongue on this for a while, but consider me finally fed up––and not with the fact that y’all aren’t playing, but the fact that you haven’t been respectful, or even minimally-considerate, in your (lack of transparent) communication with the people who appreciate you.
I’m trying here, I really am. I will always love TT’s music, but somebody (or somebodies?) is really close to losing my respect for them as a fellow human being.
January 27, 2019 @ 9:49 am
Well put. It would be interesting to know who’s shitty idea it was to keep on trying to tour when they clearly should have taken a long break. Their PR (who I assume came up with all the lame excuses) and management need to be changed out if and when TT returns.
January 28, 2019 @ 12:43 pm
For Sure! Not to mention how pathetic the PR was when they tried to sell the Evan and Miranda story. Prayers for TT, I have been following them for along time and will continue to do so.
January 27, 2019 @ 6:41 pm
As a musician you can get wrapped up in a ton of shit. He doesn’t owe us a explanation, just pray for him as a human.
January 27, 2019 @ 6:44 pm
Agreed. From my comment down the line:
“A lot of these comments are talking about Evan and shitting on their management in relation to all this. Perhaps those are the things that have motivated the scheduling and cancellations. However, the one thing we can know for sure is that we don’t know the full story. And they don’t owe us the full story––that’s not the problem. The problem is, worse than just their lack of minimal communication (e.g. shutting down their website), TT has (1.) engaged in (seeming) active deception about all of this, and (2.) continued to make promises (tour dates) they probably can’t keep.”
January 26, 2019 @ 8:59 pm
We saw them in Virginia Beach in December. Evan was off. I assume he was drunk but obviously I dont really know what is going on. It’s sad because we saw them over the summer and they killed it. I hope he gets help but he will probably need to bottom out before he admits the problem. I feel bad for all the fans.
January 26, 2019 @ 9:06 pm
Here’s an idea…..
Offer a complete soundboard concert at a reduced price as a gift to the fans. Get your problems worked out no matter how long it takes.
The fans will have the live album to hold us over until we see you again on the road.
January 26, 2019 @ 9:08 pm
Dumpster. Fire. Hope they get it together.
January 26, 2019 @ 9:10 pm
“Part of the journey is the end”
January 26, 2019 @ 10:15 pm
jeeze! i’m from Oklahoma (and still live there) and this shit is getting embarassing. i have always been a big fan of Turnpike. bad PR. REALLY bad. i do not know what is goin on behind the scenes but this band’s career is probably being tanked at a fast rate and i don’t think most members of the band are to blame.
January 26, 2019 @ 10:23 pm
and i was being nice there and “tanked” was a word i used on purpose. i have a idea but it has been in this coment section plenty. life has to get VERY hard for people to un-f*** themselves sometimes… and sometimes they never do. it’s a crappy way to run things but it’s true. trust me. coming up on six years off heroin over here.
January 27, 2019 @ 12:42 am
Ya know after all this ridiculousness if I EVER have the chance to see them here again I’m going for sure. Now I HAVE to see it!!! Of course I’ll be buying a ticket at the door out of curiosity if I have nothing else to do. Never the less, I know they/HE actually showed up at our Windy City Smokeout last summer and played AFTER that Country super star Kane Brown and before headliners Brothers Osborne if I’m not mistaken or vice versa…kind of irrelevant there’s a reason they were all playing on Sunday. I had no reason to go that day because they all mean nothing to me. No idea how they were but hey……… at least they/HE showed up.
For the record I hate to throw the band in with the bathwater because I know it isn’t their fault. Guns N’ Roses used to sit around for hours waiting for Asshole Rose to show up back in the day until they all quit out of frustration and aggravation…….hey there’s an idea. Or is Evan = to Axl Rose? You guys tell me.
January 27, 2019 @ 1:14 am
I feel like the kid outside the courthouse as Shoeless Joe Jackson is walking out after testifying about the 1919 World Series fix: “Say it ain’t so, Joe…”
I’ve seen TPT in my Mid-Atlantic region (New Jersey, to be exact) a total of 8 times, not including a visit by Ev Felker & Rhett Miller. While each show has kicked its respective hind parts, my experience has seriously gotten gradually better with every show, the most recent one being a magnificent showing in Brooklyn on 12/14/18. GOD, was that a great show…
The Turnpike Troubadours are by far my favorite band of all-time, and always will be. This type of news— not to mention all the negative feedback from past and potential concertgoers— absolutely hurts my head and breaks my heart. I’m hurting for everyone involved, certainly including those people who still haven’t gotten the chance to see this great American treasure in person, despite making plans to do so. I’m aching for those who are close to the member(s) of this unit who are struggling, let alone whoever is actually battling personal, health, or family-related issues. Prayers and hope.
January 27, 2019 @ 9:23 pm
Is New Jersey considered Mid-Atlantic?
January 27, 2019 @ 9:27 pm
It is … don’t know why I always thought mid-Atlantic was Maryland south to maybe Georgia.
January 28, 2019 @ 7:31 am
It’s pretty confusing because some maps show different groupings of states, so I guess it depends who you ask. I just mentioned the region because the majority of their shows I’ve seen were in New York City, with a few others in NJ.
January 27, 2019 @ 5:45 am
“Say it’s alright but you know it’s not
And you’re breaking up laws and you wind up caught
It’s everything or all for naught
It’s a hard ass lesson to learn
Roll the dice just one more time
Too heavy on the pedal and you crash and burn”
Get well, fellows.
January 27, 2019 @ 6:33 am
I feel sorry for the other band members, especially their new steel guitar player. What a tumultuous time to join.
January 27, 2019 @ 6:58 am
Sometimes you just got $hzzz to attend to. Goes fer super groovy band folk too… godspeed to whatever ails these fellers.
January 27, 2019 @ 7:09 am
Let somebody get right first. Ok? … imma slim down the gripping. If you EVER have bought a Skynard, Sabbath or KISS’s “Farewell Tour” ticket THAT’S where your genuine gripes should fall. I feel more hoodwinked over that mess than i do TT’s early year’s… its very hipster to not even let these people blow it by themselves. One cant simply predict and project suckiness…
January 27, 2019 @ 7:19 am
I dont want anyone to make any sudden movements…. but theres a big cat right above a big dog up there…
January 27, 2019 @ 11:33 am
Grrr
January 27, 2019 @ 7:25 am
This is starting to be reminiscent of “Whiskeytown.” An enormoisly talented band but Evan just can’t get his s*** together. He’ll probably go on to a critically acclaimed solo career.
January 27, 2019 @ 8:02 am
It seems like there’s a lot of glossing over the fact that we’re talking about a human being with serious problems. Solely based on the pattern of behavior coming from the TT camp, I would say it’s possible that they’re placing business over the well-being of a member. I suppose it’s also possible Felker is pushing himself to perform, but the whole thing seems like it’s devolving into a huge fiery crash.
This whole situation reminds me of Nirvana. The powers that be were pushing someone who wasn’t equipped to handle fame and the pressure that goes with it.
I really think the only way TT and Felker are going to survive this is to take a significant hiatus. Let the rest of the band have fun with the Ambers while Evan hopefully pulls himself together. I’m talking about at least a couple years off. When they come back the fans would be waiting. I know I would be.
January 27, 2019 @ 9:59 am
I don’t think anyone is glossing over it. In fact, the main thing any reasonable fan should be pissed about is the decision by the band and management to NOT take a long break and do what needs to be done, vs. this show-by-show BS that keeps Felker dangerously out on the road. Completely selfish on their parts, and ironically, if the band is now done, it will have been that decision to not put their foot down and say “no more touring until this gets resolved” that led to their demise. The fact that as recently as a few days ago, they were still announcing new shows on their facebook page tells me that management is not only clueless, they also have no regard for anyone’s health in the band nor do they understand or care about reputation hit that TT has taken from these continued cancellations.
January 27, 2019 @ 10:19 am
I see a lot of people making these comments about future show ticket sales being announced and I agree it’s a terrible look. But, I doubt the people running the social media accounts or promotions have any clue whats going on in the personal lives of the band members … they are just trying to do their jobs. And I very doubt EF or any band member reads the FB comments.
January 27, 2019 @ 10:21 am
Yes.
One thing though… a lot of these comments are talking about Evan and shitting on their management in relation to all this. Perhaps those are the things that have motivated the scheduling and cancellations. However, the one thing we can know for sure is that we don’t know the full story. And they don’t owe us the full story––that’s not the problem. The problem is, worse than just their lack of minimal communication (e.g. shutting down their website), TT has (1.) engaged in (seeming) active deception about all of this, and (2.) continued to make promises (tour dates) they probably can’t keep.
January 27, 2019 @ 10:50 am
I totally agree TT have treated their fans – a loyal fan base that spent money and time to travel to see them – like shit. That’s why I tapped out in April 2017. There are too many other bands just as good busting their asses to give their fans a show. I prefer giving my money to those guys.
January 27, 2019 @ 12:36 pm
This is what I’ve been thinking. There’s probably much blame to pass around, but if there’s a substance abuse issue, it’s foolhearty to expect a person to overcome it by a brief haitus. That’s especially true if that person is going to be thrust right back into a lifestyle that lives in bars, honkey-tonks, and shows.
The TT are one of my favorites, and I’d like them to commit to six months or even a year away from the road for their health, individually and collectively. That way, maybe they’re still around in five or ten years.
January 28, 2019 @ 9:49 am
Yeah, this “drive thru” detox, or whatever, is not working.
January 27, 2019 @ 11:25 am
So we have No Show Jones, we need a good moniker for Evan Felker or Turnpike, what y’all think?
January 27, 2019 @ 12:58 pm
Empty Seats Evan it Turmoil Troubadours
January 27, 2019 @ 1:06 pm
@RC. Fallout Felker
January 27, 2019 @ 1:10 pm
Someone on their Facebook claimed “Turnpike Canceldours.”
January 27, 2019 @ 12:36 pm
Time to move on from this “crap” show.
January 27, 2019 @ 2:50 pm
I think they need to be open and honest about what’s going on. All of the misinformation and cancelled shows are going to do irreparable harm to the bands reputation. No big venue or festival is going to book them at this point.
January 27, 2019 @ 2:57 pm
It’s too bad. I’ve enjoyed them every time I’ve seen them, but I agree that there needs to be a good explanation of the problem. Canceling shows like this will destroy even the biggest act.
January 27, 2019 @ 7:12 pm
Man, some of y’all are harsh…
January 27, 2019 @ 7:27 pm
Not much to add that hasn’t been said. I hope they sort out their issues and come back healthy. I hope they can figure things out and not leave fans waiting outside a venue. I hope they continue on as a band, even though there’s probably a lot of tension and resentment right now. I just saw them last Summer and it was the best show I’ve seen yet by them, Evan had a drink on his mic stand but he was having a lot of fun up there. Good luck guys
January 28, 2019 @ 7:10 am
This is a sticky situation. First and foremost, my heart goes out to everyone, from the band to those folks I know who bought Mile 0 and flight tickets specifically to see TT. If the issue is what everyone is assuming it is, then I certainly hope that the person who needs help gets it, and the band is able to reform bonds that have been tested, and come back better than ever.
However, from a business perspective, this is not a good situation. I have bought two different sets of tickets to see the band, and they have cancelled both shows. I’m actually concerned that I may never get to see this band. This will definitely make some fans or casual listeners throw in the towel on seeing this band, especially for an out of town show. Bookers for concert venues and festivals will be hesitant to give them another chance. There is irreparable harm being done based on how this is being handled.
So… this is a tough situation. We’ve seen it before in bands, and it rarely works out. The closest thing I can think of is BJ Barham and American Aquarium. Their last release was my favorite, but the line-up of the band completely changed. And that is a “success story”, but I know a lot of people who have become attached to several members of TT, not just the front man.
Anyways, so “both sides” have valid points- we need to show compassion, but we as fans do deserve some respect. I’m not saying that anyone needs to make public disclosures, but maybe stop booking new shows (I saw several go live on Facebook this weekend). The taking down the website is concerning- it makes me feel that the end is near.
May this work out the best for all involved.
January 28, 2019 @ 9:01 am
It turned out good for me. Got to see Johnathan Tyler who was touring with them at a free show in a small bar in St Louis Saturday night. He was outstanding. Nice guy great show.
January 28, 2019 @ 10:14 am
What’s Fullbright up to these days?
January 29, 2019 @ 8:20 am
These guys get more press for cancelling shows than anything else. Meanwhile there are bands across the country doing the work. Then the last time they got their act together and made a “comeback”, you’d swear Trig saw the second coming of the baby Jesus. Rule #1- YOU NEVER CANCEL A SHOW. Rule #2, see rule #1. These boys are damn good, but this ain’t right. I bet they’ve already canceled more shows than Willie Nelson has in his entire career.
January 30, 2019 @ 8:21 am
For the record, no features on Saving Country Music were either preempted or pushed aside to cover the Turnpike Troubadours. Since their recent cancellations, there’s been album reviews posted for Alice Wallace and Joshua Ray Walker, features of Randy Travis and Terry Jennings (RIP), stuff abut Cody Jinks and Dalton Domino. The only thing that was sacrificed to cover that story was my personal and family time, and my ability to eat a warm dinner on three straight nights.
When I saw Turnpike Troubadours on December 1st, they were excellent. That was my experience. I didn’t say that in an attempt to erase what had happened previously. If I was running interference for this band, I would be sweeping the cancellations under the rug, not posting multiple articles about them.
I get that some people are tired of reading about it, but plenty of other options have also been posted. It’s your nose, and your choice that brought you to this specific article. And please understand that as some are complaining about all the Turnpike coverage, others are emailing incessantly trying to get more information, including ticket holders. It’s not easy to know how best to cover this story, but I am doing the best I can. I ask for your understanding.
January 29, 2019 @ 2:02 pm
Hope they get it together in time for their Rodeo Houston show in March. I’m taking the whole family. Huge venue where could make a lot of new fans.