Country superstar Garth Brooks pulled the plug Wednesday on five coming shows because of the country's struggle with Covid-19 and the new surge brought about by the delta variant of the coronavirus.
Concerts set for Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati; Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina; M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore; Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts; and Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, have all been canceled, Brooks announced.
Brooks' wife, fellow country music superstar Trisha Yearwood, tested positive this year, forcing the couple to quarantine.
Brooks has been an outspoken advocate of vaccines.
"In July, I sincerely thought the pandemic was falling behind us. Now, watching this new wave, I realize we are still in the fight and I must do my part," Brooks said in a statement.
"So, it is with a heavy heart we announce the decision to cancel all 5 shows but with a hopeful heart, we will reschedule and start over when this wave seems to be behind us," he said.
The "Friends in Low Places" singer thanked his fans and crew and stadium workers for their hard work for the shows they had been able to stage.
Brooks has played in front of huge crowds in Lincoln, Nebraska; Kansas City, Missouri; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Salt Lake City and Las Vegas this year on the Garth Brooks Stadium Tour.
"The joy I have seen in everyone's faces as live music returns has been more than worth our constant diligence to maintain safety protocols not only for the fans, but for our band, the crew and the hard working staff in these stadiums," Brooks said. "Their dedication to safety for the people who fill those seats has been a miracle to watch and a blessing to receive. I am truly grateful."
Full refunds for about 350,000 tickets will be issued automatically through Ticketmaster, the statement said.
