Turnpike Troubadours Confirm All Upcoming Tour Dates After Cancellations
The Turnpike Troubadours have weathered whatever the latest drama was that had the band cancelling numerous live appearances recently due to “unforeseen circumstances,” and they will be hitting the road to perform all currently scheduled dates, at least for now.
On Saturday afternoon (2-9), the band released a short video promoting their upcoming performance at Rodeo Houston on March 2nd. A massive opportunity in Texas and beyond, playing the NRG Stadium at Rodeo Houston is a huge honor for the band. But when they abruptly cancelled a performance on January 24th at the House of Blues, this led to numerous other cancellations, including a headlining performance at Mile 0 Fest last week.
Travel issues were initially cited as the reason the Chicago show was cancelled last minute, but when further cancellations were made with little explanation, fans began to wonder the real cause, with some demanding an explanation, including fans having to travel to the show dates and pay for hotels and other expenses. Some of the dates Turnpike cancelled were 2nd, and 3rd makeup dates for previously-cancelled appearances.
Subsequently, the Turnpike Troubadours website was taken down, and some were worried the band might be breaking up. However bass player RC Edwards did appear at Mile 0 Fest last week as part of his side project RC and the Ambers, and told the assembled crowd, “Reports of our death have been highly exaggerated.” However no official statement has been forthcoming from the band, either explaining the recent cancellations, or confirming that upcoming shows would still happen.
Saturday’s video from the band about their Rodeo Houston appearance announced that a new single “Pay No Rent” will be heading to Texas regional radio shortly, but it said nothing about the six shows between now and Rodeo Houston, or the shows scheduled afterwards. Some fans have also complained that the band made no statement reassuring fans that upcoming dates were a go, but continued to book future dates and add them to the calendar, including July 12th and 13th at the Whitewater Amphitheater in New Braunfels, TX. Saving Country Music has confirmed through the Turnpike Troubadours publicist that all announced dates are currently still on, including their next show Thursday, February 14th at the Bourbon Theatre in Lincoln, Nebraska.
At Mile 0 Fest last week, numerous fellow Texas and Red Dirt performers publicly asked fans to be patient with Turnpike, and/or paid tribute to them in some capacity, including Cody Canada, BJ Barham of American Aquarium, Jamie Lin Wilson, Corb Lund, Todd Snider, and former Turnpike Troubadours member John Fullbright.
Turnpike Troubadours Current Confirmed Tour Dates:
- Thu, FEB 14 – The Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, NE
- Fri, FEB 15 – Buffalo Run Casino & Resort – Miami, OK
- Sat, FEB 16 – Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo Complex – Waco, TX
- Thu, FEB 21 – The Granada Theater – Lawrence, Kansas
- Fri, FEB 22 – Choctaw Grand Theater – Durant, OK
- Sat, FEB 23 – Mardi Gras Texas Style – Dallas, TX
- Sat, MAR 02 – Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – Houston, TX
- Thu, MAR 07 – Blue Gate Theatre – Shipshewana, IN
- Fri, MAR 08 – The Bluebird – Bloomington, IN
- Sat, MAR 09 – The Caverns – Pelham, TN
- Sat, MAR 23 – John T Floores Country Store – Helotes, TX
- Fri, APR 05 – Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA
- Wed, APR 24 – Melody Mountain Ranch – Stephenville, TX
- Fri, JUL 12 – Whitewater Music Amphitheater – New Braunfels, TX
- Sat, JUL 13 – Whitewater Amphitheater – New Braunfels, TX
Looking forward to seeing you all at @RODEOHOUSTON on March 2nd, and you’ll get to hear our new single “Pay No Rent”. Tickets are available now: https://t.co/WkXXf30EBA pic.twitter.com/vw6RCiehkI
— Turnpike Troubadours (@TpTroubadours) February 9, 2019
February 9, 2019 @ 7:31 pm
*See my comment on the previous article.
This site has no right to use bad behavior as a disqualifier for Bebe Rexha after all the softball posts that have been thrown and continue to be thrown at this band. Period.
February 9, 2019 @ 7:52 pm
This site is privately owned and operated and Trigger has every right to write and post how he sees fit, especially when one of the major points of the Bebe Rexha piece dealt with her undeserved record.
That being said, Trigger has been more than fair in his coverage of T.T.
February 9, 2019 @ 8:00 pm
The 1st amendment is also in observance on this site, and I can point out its inherent hypocrisies. At least Bebe puts on a show…so to speak.
February 10, 2019 @ 5:55 pm
I hate to be pedantic (or maybe not ’cause here I am) but you do know, Seth of Lampass, that the only thing the 1st amendment guarantees is that the government cannot arrest or persecute you for exercising it. It has nothing to do with what any individual does or does not allow on their own website, or place of business, etc. So I am not sure why you would invoke it or assume you have some good given right to tell Trigger what he can and cannot do
February 11, 2019 @ 9:20 am
Trigger can do or say anything he wants, and i can disagree with him. It’s pretty simple.
I’m well aware the Constitution only applies to government. That’s why I said “in observance”. I’m sorry you don’t understand the difference. The 1st amendment is OBSERVED on this site as much as is possible, which is why my comments and others are still on this thread.
Have a good day.
February 11, 2019 @ 11:50 am
I thought you were leaving. This is a really protracted flounce.
February 11, 2019 @ 11:56 am
I guess you have no argument, then.
February 11, 2019 @ 12:02 pm
Please folks, not more back and forths in this thread.
Thanks!
February 9, 2019 @ 8:35 pm
Trig, I haven’t been able to put my finger on it til now, but I think the thing that bothers me about your coverage of TT and to a similar degree, Sturgill, is that with acts that you obviously don’t like, you do a lot of editorializing and personal smearing, which is admittedly usually hilarious and correct, but when it comes to acts that you obviously like and/or are invested in, you keep it to simple reporting of incidents and quotes by other people — usually seemingly designed to put the subject in a good light. Bebe is a joke and is just the latest corporate offering in a system that is rigged and cannot be defeated. TT are part of a movement that is seeking to replace the rigged system with a system that produces a true artistic expression of the country music landscape, so when tent pole acts like TT sow distrust among the fans, the people who feed the movement, it can only cause harm to TT and the genre in general will suffer if it doesn’t have TT.
A starker tone is needed to represent the fans who have been screwer over a “1st, 2nd or 3rd time”.
February 9, 2019 @ 9:08 pm
Seth of Lampasas (and anyone else),
I am in no way responsible for the Turnpike Troubadours cancelling shows. In this article and others on this matter, I have specifically cited the anger and frustration of fans who have not received explanations for the cancellations, or clarity on the upcoming tour dates.
I said in this very article, QUOTE, “Travel issues were initially cited as the reason the Chicago show was cancelled last minute, but when further cancellations were made with little explanation, fans began to wonder the real cause, with some demanding an explanation, including fans having to travel to the show dates and pay for hotels and other expenses. Some of the dates Turnpike cancelled were 2nd, and 3rd makeup dates for previously-cancelled appearances.”
…and QUOTE: “However no official statement has been forthcoming from the band, either explaining the recent cancellations, or confirming that upcoming shows would still happen.
…and QUOTE: “Saturday’s video from the band about their Rodeo Houston appearance … said nothing about the six shows between now and Rodeo Houston, or the shows scheduled afterwards. Some fans have also complained that the band made no statement reassuring fans that upcoming dates were a go, but continued to book future dates and add them to the calendar.”
ALL of these quotes from this very article speak to the fair concerns of fans that if I was running interference for the Turnpike Troubadours, I wouldn’t bring up. You think the Turnpike camp is happy with me running one story after another about how they keep cancelling shows, filling up social media feeds and Google results with negative press? Just as you’re mad at me, factions of Turnpike fans think I’m a opportunistic asshole embellishing this story because I secretly hate Turnpike and want to run them down.
You and others are shooting the messenger here. All I’m trying to do is inform people, and don’t ask you or anyone else a red damn penny for it. As I said below, at some point it will become time for me to give my opinions. Now is not that time.
Also note, as the sole writer for this site, sometimes I write facts-only news story. Sometimes I write opinion pieces. Sometimes I write reviews. Sometimes I engage in sarcasm. Sometimes it is a combination of two or three of these things. This should be understood by everyone, and comparing the coverage of one artist and event against another artist or event is context relevant. If you think I’m a biased piece of shit, quit reading.
February 9, 2019 @ 9:53 pm
I never said you were responsible for cancellations. That’s a lie
To the rest of your comment — we’re just going in circles now. The arguments have been laid out for whoever is interested.
You get paid by advertisers who pay you more the more traffic you get. So you’re “goddamn penny” thing is a dangerous statement to make.
You’re hanging on the sacks of artists who have left the genre and/or are flaming out — all because they’re your babies and the more fame they get, the more attention your site gets. I get it.
Y’all have a good life! I love this site and I love debating some of you assholes, but I’m gonna find a new thing.
February 10, 2019 @ 6:21 am
Well…bye.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:28 am
Bye sbach66
February 9, 2019 @ 8:24 pm
This site has every right to post about whatever fuck it wants to post about. Some pop star going on an expletive-laden tirade has nothing to do with simply trying to inform the public about the status of live tour dates that many people have been concerned about. Make no mistake, at some point it will be time to put a period on the end of this whole saga, and I will have quite a few things to say. But until then, it’s simply my job to inform folks on what’s going on, especially since the the band itself is doing such a poor job of it, and keep my personal opinions out.
February 9, 2019 @ 8:37 pm
*See my comment above
February 9, 2019 @ 8:38 pm
“keep my personal opinions out.”
That’s the hypocrisy I’m talking about.
February 9, 2019 @ 8:52 pm
Good to have you as the moral arbiter of the internet. Seems like there might be several millions of other ways to spend your time than reading a blog you so obviously find lacking and clogging up the comments section with your hectoring.
But, hey, thanks for standing on a wall nobody asked to stand on.
February 9, 2019 @ 9:03 pm
Believe me, I have no life whatsoever, but I like this site, so I frequent it as much as possible in hopes that it can let go of the legacy acts it’s attached to and focus more on finding the next vanguard that needs to be exposed for the true fans of country music.
In the future, please respond with a good argument instead of telling me to get off the playground.
February 9, 2019 @ 8:24 pm
Bebe Rexha “throws a tantrum” but BJ Barham “speaks publicly” does seem like a double standard.
February 9, 2019 @ 8:39 pm
Thank you, Sarah. That’s a prime example.
February 9, 2019 @ 8:56 pm
I never said BJ Barham “speaks publicly.” You put those words in quotes, and that is a lie. What I said, and I quote, was “Then American Aquarium took the stage, and BJ Barham stood up for the Turnpike Troubadours with a bit more pointed language.”
Bebe Rexha threw a tantrum by stopping a song down and acting like a petulant child. This is in the estimation of The Associated Press, Billboard, Rolling Stone, and others, not just Saving Country Music.
February 10, 2019 @ 6:26 am
You used “piblicly asked” to describe a situatiion where BJ cursed out fans in this article.
February 10, 2019 @ 8:25 am
Where are these words “publicly asked” you keep referring to? Yes, BJ Barham used some expletives, but he did so in defense of someone he believed was being treated unfairly. He didn’t throw a tantrum because “you’re not singing along to my song that was #1 for 50 weeks.” Say that this is a double standard all you want, but they are two very different situations.
February 10, 2019 @ 11:29 am
“Publicly asked” is in the last paragraph of this article. I guess i’m not trying to point out any hypocracy, I’m just frustrated that anytime any one tries to criticize how this situation has been handled they get cursed out for not being a true fan, whatever that means.
February 10, 2019 @ 10:55 am
I went to the archives to re read trigger’s article that I assume you are referencing from. Never did he write ‘publicly asked’.
February 10, 2019 @ 5:46 am
Hey sethy how about you shut the hell up. No need to be negative, if you don’t like it then just shut up and leave.
February 10, 2019 @ 6:58 am
Are you seriously on here defending baby rexa? Get the fuck out you clown
February 10, 2019 @ 9:31 am
If you think that’s what I was doing then you’re a dumbass clown. As soon as you jackals stop leaving little bitch comments after I’ve already said I’m leaving, then I’m done. Til then I’ll shred you idiots.
February 10, 2019 @ 9:43 am
Seth,
You’re a valued reader and commenter here. And I’m not trying to patronize you, but I think it would be best if you took some deep breaths, took a step back, and understand we’re all mostly like-minded individuals here. I welcome descent here, but I’m not going to allow you to make this comments section any more of a train wreck than you already have.
And as for the folks responding to him, just leave him alone, and let’s stick to the topic at hand, which is the Turnpike Troubadours.
Thank you!
February 10, 2019 @ 10:52 am
Seth you sound like you need to put on some FGL and chill out man. If you’re a fan of Baby Rexa that’s fine but she’s not going to show you her boobs. Your comments are always garbage and no one would care if you stopped offering them. Go away
February 9, 2019 @ 7:35 pm
Man, I just hope that means Evan is clean and sober. I mean, that’s a very quick recovery period, but okay. Let’s see what happens and pray for them.
February 9, 2019 @ 7:35 pm
I pray this works out. My Sister lived out in Oklahoma about 10 years ago and turned me on to TT.,and I’ve absolutely loved them ever since. My band is booked to play a festival with them here in Kentucky later in the year, and I want it to happen so much. Hang in there fellas.
February 9, 2019 @ 7:42 pm
I hope What ever is going on is resolved or is actively being dealt with in a healthy way so a promising future can be realized both personally and professionally for the Troubadours family. This is an amazing band live and I hope the great tunes can continue.
February 9, 2019 @ 7:45 pm
I’m going to the Bluebird, but I’m not holding my breath right now that TT is. Regardless American Aquarium will be there so theres that.
February 9, 2019 @ 8:03 pm
And the B.J. will be there to hold back Evan’s hair while scolding the fans.
February 9, 2019 @ 7:55 pm
That’s good news! I really hope they can get it together, but part of me thinks its way too soon.. Maybe finish out the shows that are booked, and take a break. They are in my prayer.
February 9, 2019 @ 8:08 pm
We all have have to start thinking about this tour like the NBA regular season. They play when they need to and fuck off the rest of the games.
They’ll rock out at Reliant and any other large or televised venues, and they’ll cancel shows in between. All in the hope of doing exactly what you said — finish the shows that are already booked and continue this condescending and insulting charade of a business as usual attitude.
February 9, 2019 @ 8:24 pm
I hope you are not right. But, we will certainly see what happens won’t we..
February 9, 2019 @ 9:12 pm
They have certainly put themselves into a precarious spot. If they have any no-shows for this next dozen planned after their short break and saying little, I would imagine their credibility and ongoing health will be called back into question. I imagine they will make the Houston Rodeo, even if it required each band member to be duct taped to a mic stand and lip sync.
I hope they get well and are able to put all of this behind them at some point.
February 9, 2019 @ 9:37 pm
I like this band a lot and I hope they remedy their issues.
At least one of them has a substance abuse problem based on statements made in Key West last week.
As someone who got clean and sober 30 years ago as a fairly young man, I have been through a lot of what the person is going through.
I wish him the best.
February 10, 2019 @ 12:01 am
.
February 10, 2019 @ 6:26 am
30 days is not long enough for EF to deal with his issues. Especially if he doesn’t yet acknowledge his problem and want to get sober. They need to take an extended hiatus to allow him time to get straight and regroup. I wonder if their management is pushing for an accelerated return to touring? It’s not going to work. I love this band more than any other but it doesn’t seem like they’re working towards a long-term solution right now. These short breaks and pushes to book more shows and return to the road is going to keep failing when he keeps relapsing.
February 10, 2019 @ 12:32 pm
I think it’s way too early to get back on the grind of a robust tour schedule.
I didn’t get out of the treatment center until I had 35 days and I had to ease back into work.
Sobriety is much more important than a job.
I hope that Evan talks to some other artists in recovery, like Jason Isbell and John Hyatt.
February 10, 2019 @ 7:00 am
Congrats on the Wapo mention Trig!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/a-country-music-artist-navigates-an-art-form-altered-by-americas-poisoned-politics/2019/02/09/8b9a1d28-24cb-11e9-ad53-824486280311_story.html?utm_term=.c2cb5045ef8f
February 10, 2019 @ 5:51 pm
No WaPo- I will not unblock ads or subscribe.
February 10, 2019 @ 9:19 am
Bebe Rexha is garbage.
The Troubadours and BJ Barham are honest. Country music has always been honest, or else it’s just corporate cornpone appealing to the LCD.
And this blog is honest. I appreciate it exactly for Kyle’s opinions.
February 10, 2019 @ 10:15 am
What is honest about selling tickets to concerts you have no intention of showing up for. I call that consumer fraud. If you have problems, you cancel the shows ahead of time so your fans can cancel travel plans. You don’t say you can’t fly in due to weather when the rest of the band is already there. You don’t reschedule that cancelled show for a couple of days later to just cancel that show. If you are honest you don’t take down your website, block fans from social media and still not let them know if you intend to tour in February. TT does not represent honesty and we won’t even get into the personal b.s. of their lead singer.
February 10, 2019 @ 9:24 am
I’ll bet ya a dollar that “confirmed” or not one or two of those shows are going down the flusher
if not more
February 10, 2019 @ 10:51 am
I got tickets to the show in Lawrence Kansas on the 21st. If they don’t play luckily Lawrence is close to Kansas City and I got tickets to see Aaron Watson the 22nd there. Either way I’m seeing a show on my trip out that way haha. I just wish we knew a bit more about everything. I really don’t think it’s smart for them to keep Felker out on the road. I hope to see them though before all this implodes. In my guess, whatever the issue is continuing to tour is just going to be like putting a bandaid on a bullet wound for them.
February 10, 2019 @ 1:47 pm
Anyone who has been around awhile should remember articles about Felker being so drunk he forgot his own lyrics onstage, and all the nasty things people said about the coverage, accusing Trigger of being completely biased against the TT folks. (Right after he’d picked Bird Hunters for his Song of the Year.) Now he’s being accused of giving them a pass because he’s not holding their feet to the fire when they screw up. As Seth has pointed out, no, it appears he has not brought the full weight of his acerbic wit to bear on them, like he might use whilst reviewing the new FGL album. FWIW, I think he goes to great lengths to separate his personal feelings from his professional output. He’s obviously rooting for them, on some level, but doesn’t take the easy way out by glossing it over, or ignoring it entirely. I think he’s trying to balance being fair to real live human artists, (with all their flaws, trying to make their way in this world as best they can, like the rest of us), with his responsibility to the legions of fans who deserve to know a bunch of other fans have been getting screwed over lately by a series of unexplained no-shows.
And if that double standard doesn’t seem fair to you, Seth, that may be part of the reason the name of the website isn’t “Fair and Balanced Objective Journalism to Make Everyone Happy”.com.
He is one guy, trying to help shine a spotlight on those artists who don’t have the full weight of the Big Machine behind them; to give them a chance to make a living and reach a new audience. And I think he does a damn good job of sticking mostly to the facts and keeping his personal bullshit out of it, when it counts. If you’re here because you’re sick of the mainstream garbage, you probably enjoy the no-holds-barred attacks on the trash that’s backed by Millions of $. But if you want absolute, impartial neutrality, use your oijua board to contact Walter Cronkite’s ghost. Or maybe see if Ikea makes a robot.
Tl;dr: Trig, if what you say makes both extremes mad, you must be doing something right.
February 10, 2019 @ 4:39 pm
Well said. I think Trigger is pretty balanced overall. And if a little favoritism creeps though on a Website called “Saving Country Music” as it covers a band, that in my opinion is helping to “Save Country Music,” then, well, like, OMG!
Everyone needs to chill out a little, IMO, when it comes to criticizing others that are DOING great things like making great country music or supporting it by putting a lot of effort into a website like this one, for example. It’s easy to criticize (and important), but I humbly suggest we also show some respect and understanding, even from behind our keyboards, when people are out there slugging away, and sometimes aren’t perfect.
February 10, 2019 @ 1:51 pm
And now that I’m off my soapbox, and back to the topic at hand: I’ve seen TT shows before where I’ve felt I got more than my money’s worth, so I’m still willing to take a chance on them and, “Roll the dice, just one more time…” Though I haven’t gotten screwed yet, and may change my tune if that time comes.
February 10, 2019 @ 4:56 pm
Time will tell, but this just seems like they are setting themselves up for more reputation-killing cancellations….while keeping someone who has addiction issues in the same dangerous situation. It seems like they are getting terrible advice from someone claiming to be an expert on addiction, and//or really just can’t bare to take the financial hit that not delivering on these shows (or taking a needed break) would entail.
And to all the “nobody knows for sure what the issue is, stop speculating” folks: all of the unnecessary and misguided grandstanding that several of the Mile 0 artists did on TT’s behalf confirmed what the issue is.
February 11, 2019 @ 1:33 pm
Any word on May 4 in Stillwater, OK?
February 11, 2019 @ 1:35 pm
To clarify, I know you said all confirmed dates are on, but this particular one isn’t on your list (for Calf Fry 2019).
February 11, 2019 @ 2:29 pm
Wish the TT could get another lead singer to fill in for a time, let Evan work at getting well. He seems like such a nice guy, but is getting back out on the road awful soon. Best wishes to this band, they do put out some great music
February 11, 2019 @ 3:04 pm
Cheers
February 12, 2019 @ 3:34 pm
The Calf Fry website is still showing TTT as the headliner for Saturday night (May 4), so I’m taking that as a good thing. Incidentally, I notice that the JBATS appearance the same night has been scrubbed out?
February 12, 2019 @ 8:37 pm
WTF is JBATS
February 12, 2019 @ 9:09 pm
Jason Boland and the Stragglers…