CINCINNATI -- After organizers for Buckle Up Country Music Festival announced Monday they were canceling this year’s event, headliner Brad Paisley took action and announced he would hold a free concert at Riverbend Music Center.
Fans appreciated the gesture so much, they snatched up all the tickets for the free show in a matter of 20 minutes, according to a Riverbend spokesperson.
Paisley made the announcement Wednesday afternoon on B-105, saying it was a gesture of thanks to his fans. He also spoke about how much he loves the venue.
“I had a day off and I love your area and I love the amphitheater, so we’re going to do a free concert with my tour at Riverbend,” he said on air.
The free tickets were made available on Ticketmaster.
Buckle Up organizers, PromoWest, cited “circumstances beyond our control” for canceling the festival, originally scheduled for Aug. 5-6 in Blue Ash.
PromoWest president and CEO Scott Stienecker told WCPO it came down to too much country traffic.
"There was so much country competition going after that country dollar with all the Riverbend shows, all the amphitheater shows in Indianapolis, all the different festivals (in the region)," he said, noting that PromoWest had been looking forward to rebooting the event in a new location, Blue Ash's Summit Park.
Paisley will perform his free show Saturday, Aug. 6.
Tyler Farr and Maddie & Tae were also scheduled to perform.
