Nashville’s city council has rejected a sign for Morgan Wallen’s new bar due to his controversial past, citing the use of a racial slur and a recent incident involving a chair-throwing off a rooftop. Read more for the detailed timeline of his controversies.
Key Takeaways
- The city council in Nashville, Tennessee, rejects sign installation for Morgan Wallen's bar due to his past behavior.
- Wallen's history includes using a racial slur and a recent incident involving throwing a chair off a rooftop.
- The council's decision reflects ongoing concerns about Wallen's behavior despite his commercial success.
Nashville Council Denies Sign for Morgan Wallen’s Bar
The Nashville city council rejected a resolution to install a sign for Morgan Wallen’s new bar, Morgan Wallen’s This Bar and Tennessee Kitchen.
Council members cited Wallen’s controversial past, including his use of a racial slur and an incident where he nearly hit police officers by throwing a chair off a rooftop.
Resolution and Council’s Decision
The resolution, introduced at the Nashville Metropolitan Council meeting on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, would have allowed 4th Avenue Property LLC to hang a large, lighted sign at Wallen’s downtown bar.
However, the resolution failed with 3 votes in favor, 30 against, and 4 abstentions.
The rejection denies Wallen and his partners the opportunity to display a neon sign above their Broadway venue, which was set to open during Memorial Day weekend.
Representatives for Wallen and a lawyer listed as a registered agent for 4th Avenue Property declined to comment on the decision.
Council Member Jacob Kupin’s Remarks
Council member Jacob Kupin, who introduced the resolution, noted that it coincided with Wallen’s recent chair-throwing incident.
Wallen had thrown a chair off a Nashville rooftop last month, nearly hitting first responders.
Wallen later apologized for his behavior on social media, expressing respect for law enforcement.
Kupin argued that the city should not endorse someone with Wallen’s history by allowing his name on a prominent sign.
Despite acknowledging Wallen’s apologies and the positive cooperation from the restaurant group behind the bar, Kupin felt compelled to highlight Wallen’s past actions before the council voted.
Other Council Members’ Reactions
Council members echoed Kupin’s concerns, particularly focusing on Wallen’s use of a racial slur in 2021.
Council member Delishia Porterfield and others highlighted that approving the sign would conflict with Nashville’s values of inclusivity and respect.
Council member Brenda Gadd echoed Porterfield’s sentiments, highlighting that Wallen continues to receive second chances despite his past behavior.
Jordan Huffman added that Wallen’s actions reflect poorly on East Tennesseans and urged colleagues to reject the resolution.
Morgan Wallen’s Timeline of Controversies
May 23, 2020: Arrest at Kid Rock’s Bar
Wallen was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct after being kicked out of Kid Rock’s bar in Nashville. He apologized the next day, and the charges were later dropped.
October 2020: COVID-19 Protocol Violation
Wallen was caught partying without a mask in Alabama, leading to the cancellation of his “SNL” appearance and a headline performance in Georgia.
February 2, 2021: Racial Slur Incident
A video surfaced of Wallen using the N-word. He apologized, but his music was pulled from radio stations, and his record label suspended his contract.
October 28, 2021: Barred from AMAs
Wallen was barred from attending the American Music Awards due to his past use of a racial slur, despite being nominated for two awards.
May 15, 2022: Billboard Music Awards Performance
Wallen performed at the Billboard Music Awards, marking his return to award-show stages since the racial slur incident.
June 29, 2022: SiriusXM Interview
Wallen opened up about the “dark” times in his life, reflecting on the challenges he faced due to his actions.
March 13, 2023: First No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100
“Last Night,” from his album “One Thing at a Time,” became Wallen’s first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
April 23, 2023: Last-Minute Concert Cancellation
Wallen canceled a concert in Mississippi minutes before it was due to start, citing voice issues. The cancellation led to legal action from a fan.
April 8, 2024: Chair-Throwing Incident and Arrest
Wallen was arrested for throwing a chair off a rooftop, nearly hitting police officers. He was charged with three felony counts of reckless endangerment and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.
Impact on His Career
Despite his success in music, Morgan Wallen’s past actions — like using a racial slur and throwing a chair off a rooftop — have led to severe consequences, significantly impacting his career and public image.
The Nashville City Council’s decision to reject the sign for his new bar shows that his past behavior continues to cause problems.
While Wallen has apologized and taken steps to improve, the community remains divided on whether he should be given more chances, highlighting the importance of accountability and the lasting effects of our actions.
