Nashville Rejects Sign for Morgan Wallen’s New Bar Citing Past Controversies
Nashville's neon-lit honky tonk strip won't be glowing any brighter with Morgan Wallen's name anytime soon. The Nashville Metro Council voted to reject a proposal for a sign at the country star's new bar, "Morgan Wallen's This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen," citing Wallen's past controversies.
Council Members Express Disapproval of Wallen’s Actions
On Tuesday evening, the council voted 30-3 to reject the sign. The decision comes after Wallen faced public backlash for using a racial slur in 2021 and recent criminal charges for allegedly throwing a chair off a rooftop near police officers.
Nashville city council rejects bid to install a sign for Morgan Wallen’s new bar, citing his past controversies, including using a racial slur and nearly hitting police officers with a chair he threw off a rooftop as reasons to reject the measure. https://t.co/8dyUtd574A
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Council members were vocal about their disapproval of Wallen's behavior. Councilmember Delishia Porterfield stated, "I don’t want to see a billboard with the name of someone who is throwing chairs off balconies and using racial slurs."
A Difficult Decision for Some Councilmembers
While the council overwhelmingly voted against the sign, some members acknowledged the complexity of the situation. Councilmember Jacob Kupin, who presented the proposal, wrestled with the decision due to Wallen's actions.
He recognized the positive contributions of TC Restaurant Group, the company managing the bar.
"The fact that someone’s name is going up on a bar doesn’t mean we condone all their behavior, but I appreciate the efforts to make amends and the positive response. The operator themselves shouldn’t be penalized for what happened," Kupin said.
Wallen Faces Criminal Charges and Postponed Hearing
Wallen's legal troubles continue as his initial court hearing has been postponed until August 15. According to reports, Wallen allegedly threw a chair from a rooftop bar landing near two police officers.
He faces felony charges of reckless endangerment and a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.
In a statement, Wallen acknowledged his responsibility and expressed regret for his behavior.
Wallen’s Music Career Flourishes Despite Controversy
Despite the controversies, Wallen's music career remains commercially successful. His album "One Thing at a Time" topped the Billboard 200 chart for 16 weeks in 2023 and was the year's best-selling album. The album included hit songs like "Last Night," "You Proof," and "Thinkin’ Bout Me."
This is not the first time the Nashville council has grappled with a controversial sign design. In 2019, a similar debate arose over the design of Kid Rock's bar sign, which featured a giant guitar with a base resembling a woman's buttocks. While some council members voiced concerns, the sign was ultimately approved.
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