Dwight Yoakam is speaking out after an “emergency takeoff abort” on a plane nearly caused him to miss his show at Buddy Holly Hall last week, making him nearly two hours late to take the stage. The unexpected delay had fans confused as they waited for the country music icon to arrive for his scheduled performance in Lubbock, Texas.
On Sunday evening (Feb. 15), Yoakam took to social media to personally apologize to concertgoers and explain what really happened that evening. In a lengthy statement, the “Guitars & Cadillacs” singer explained that a mechanical failure warning forced pilots to abort takeoff.
“I want to personally apologize to the fans who bought tickets and attended our show in Lubbock TX this past Thursday evening the 12th of February,” Yoakam began in a lengthy statement, detailing what happened “It has only today been brought to my attention that unfortunately the cirumstances surrounding my delayed arrival to perform the concert that night were not conveyed clearly by an in person announcement from the stage but rather by a vague anonymous PA announcement about a flight delay,” the “Guitars & Cadillacs” singer continued.
View this post on Instagram
According to Yoakam, the venue, Buddy Holly Hall, did not clearly explain why he was nearly two hours late to take the stage. Fans in attendance shared on social media that after the opener finished, the house lights came on and an announcement was made stating it was unclear what time Yoakam would arrive, offering no further explanation. The venue announcer also told concertgoers that anyone who purchased tickets through the eTix service would receive a full refund for the inconvenience. However, Yoakam ultimately arrived around 10:30PM, about an hour and a half after his schedule performance time, and performed a full set that lasted until after midnight, according to fans at the show.
Now, Dwight Yoakam is setting the record straight about what happened that night, revealing it was a scary situation he encountered en route to the show.
“What actually happened Thursday afternoon was that we had an emergency takeoff abort as the aircraft was about to lift off from the runway due to a mechanical failure warning in the cockpit,” he explained. “Fortunately, the pilots handled the aborted takeoff with exceptional professional skill and they were able to avoid anything more dangerous or catastrophic occurring. After taxiing back to the hangar and concluding that the issue with that aircraft could not be corrected we were luckily able to be moved to a different plane and continue our flight to do the show in Lubbock approximately an hour and thirty minutes after my scheduled 9:00pm stage time.”
He went on to apologize to fans, noting that the reason for his tardiness was not properly communicated at the venue. Yoakam closed out his statement, “Again I want to express my sincere apologies to all the fans in attendance that evening that the announcement about the reason for the show’s delay was not made from ‘onstage’ more clearly and respectfully. I am very sorry for any frustration and disappointment the delay caused.”
Dwight Yoakam is currently on the road playing shows in support of his latest project, Brighter Days. In addition to his own headlining shows, Yoakam will also join ZZ Top for select dates of their Dos Amigos Tour as well as headline several festivals and more, including RODEOHOUSTON, Tortuga Music Festival and more.
Produced by Dwight Yoakam himself, Brighter Days marks the country legend’s 21st studio album, arriving November 15, 2024 via Thirty Tigers. The 14-track project includes “I’ll Pay The Price,” “Can’t Be Wrong,” “Wide Open Heart,” and “Keep On The Sunny Side,” along with the buzzed-about duet “I Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye” featuring Post Malone.
For a full list of Yoakam’s tour date, visit his official website.
