Morgan Wallen, the country music sensation and recipient of eleven 2023 Billboard Music Awards, was arrested late Sunday at Chief’s, a brand-new Nashville honky-tonk co-owned by his longtime confidant and business partner, Eric Church. The arrest stemmed from an incident involving reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct, adding another chapter to Wallen’s troubled history with Nashville’s Lower Broadway district.
According to police reports, Morgan, 30, allegedly threw a chair from Chief’s rooftop towards the street below, narrowly missing police officers stationed nearby. Security footage captured Wallen in the act, described as “lunging and throwing an object over the roof,” followed by witnesses claiming he laughed afterwards.
Wallen’s legal representative, Worrick Robinson, confirmed the arrest, stating that the singer is fully cooperating with authorities. The country star was released on bond early Monday morning and is scheduled to appear in court on May 3, coinciding with a planned concert at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium.
This incident is not Morgan’s first brush with the law on Lower Broadway. In May 2020, he was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct outside Kid Rock’s honky-tonk, further adding to his troubled reputation in the area.
Despite his recent legal troubles, Morgan remains a prominent figure in Nashville’s music scene. He recently announced plans to open a new bar named ‘This Bar’ in 2024, paying homage to his Tennessee roots and his hit song of the same name.
The arrest comes at a critical juncture in Wallen’s career, especially following the fallout from a 2021 controversy where he was recorded using a racial slur. CMT subsequently removed his music from their platforms, a ban that remains in effect to this day.
Wallen’s business interests, including ventures with Eric Church, have been expanding. Chief’s, the venue where the incident occurred, just opened its doors with Church’s residency kicking off to a promising start. Additionally, Church and Wallen recently announced plans to relaunch the iconic Field & Stream outdoor lifestyle brand, further demonstrating their entrepreneurial ambitions.
The news of Wallen’s arrest has sent shockwaves through the music community, raising questions about the impact on his upcoming concert commitments and festival appearances. His scheduled appearance at the Stagecoach Festival on April 28 and a makeup date for a canceled show in Oxford, Mississippi, remain uncertain in light of this recent legal development.
For fans and observers alike, Wallen’s arrest underscores a turbulent chapter in the rising star’s career, juxtaposed against his undeniable musical success. As the story continues to unfold, all eyes are on Wallen’s next steps, both in the courtroom and on stage.
