Koe Wetzel returned to his hometown of Pittsburg, Texas, to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of “February 28th, 2016” in a big way, as the City of Pittsburg honored the country rocker with a key to the city and officially declared February 28 “Koe Wetzel Day.”
Surrounded by family, including his parents, Gary Dale and Julie Wetzel, as well as his girlfriend Bailey Fisher and their daughter, Woods Madison, and more, along with longtime friends, Wetzel was celebrated by the East Texas town where he grew up.
Wetzel climbed onto the flatbed of a truck, decorated with a large “Welcome Home Koe Wetzel” sign, to accept the prestigious honor.
“It’s good to be back in Pittsburg. Every time I come back here, it’s like I never left and that’s with my family, my friends, and it all kind of starts there,” Wetzel began. “My family’s sitting here, my mom, my dad, my sisters, my grandparents, my girls here… they’ve always been my number one fans and they’ve kind of got me to where I am by doing so. But that also helps with the help from Pittsburg, Texas and all the great people here that have made everything happen.”
Koe Wetzel then honored Pittsburg with the promise to always remain true to his roots regardless of where life takes him. “No matter where I go in this life, no matter what country I’m in, what state I’m in, city I’m in, I always know that Pittsburg, Texas is a home for me. And whenever I come back, you always make sure to remind me of that and treat me like I never left and I always appreciate that,” Wetzel continued.
He went on to graciously thank Pittsburg Mayor David Abernathy and City Manager Clint Hardeman. “To the city of Pittsburg, Mayor Abernathy, Clint [Hardeman], everybody, thank y’all so much for making all this happen. I wasn’t prepared to do a speech today,” he added.
“But like I said, no matter where I go, Pittsburg’s always going to be my home and I’m very proud to be from Pittsburg, Texas. Thank y’all so much for coming out today and I hope y’all have a great weekend. Thank you,” Wetzel said, concluding his speech.
In addition to receiving the key to the City of Pittsburg and an official proclamation declaring February 28 “Koe Wetzel Day,” the city also unveiled a mural (painted by Rachel of inbloom.art) honoring Koe Wetzel, complete with his guitar, a Pittsburg water tower, and his high school football jersey featuring the No. 42.
According to Pittsburg City Manager Clint Hardeman, the celebration had been in the works for “roughly six months” and was intended to remain a surprise for the “Time Goes On” singer.
“We kind of wanted to keep it a surprise for him, but keeping a secret is hard, especially in a small town,” Hardeman shared (per KLTV). “We have been working really hard over the last six months or so, working with his family and PR team to make today special for him.”
However, Wetzel revealed that his hometown friends ultimately spoiled the surprise after tipping him off through their fantasy football league. “Talking about keeping it a secret, I found out all this was coming through from my fantasy football team that I still have with my friends here in Pittsburg, Texas,” he admitted. “So I can thank them for letting me know about all this.”
The celebration will culminate with a special event at Koe Wetzel’s Riot Room in Fort Worth, Texas this afternoon (Feb. 28).
This milestone comes just days after Koe Wetzel announced a massive tour. Koe Wetzel will hit the road this summer/fall on The Night Champion World Tour, a 45-city headlining run featuring support from Shane Smith & The Saints, Ole 60, Wyatt Flores, Corey Kent, Wade Bowen, Bayker Blankenship, Kolby Cooper and Logan Jahnke join on select dates.
“It’s kind of crazy that I’m not dead or in jail with everything that’s gone on in my life,” Wetzel previously reflected candidly. “Coming into 2026 and this tour, I feel like I’m the best version of myself I’ve ever been. I survived the night side of me. I’m coming out of it a champion.”
For more information on all to come and to purchase tickets to the tour, visit KoeWetzelMusic.com.
