Parker McCollum Tests Positive for COVID-19, Cancels Shows

Texas country artist turned rising major label star Parker McCollum will not be playing a couple of upcoming shows where he was planning his return to performing. Parker is cancelling the performances after testing positive for COVID-19. The 28-year-old let fans know on Thursday (8-20) of the positive test.

“I know there are a lot of you that were expecting to see me in Manhattan, KS and Stillwater, OK. After several months of being off the road, we were finally getting a chance to play two socially distanced, mask mandated shows Thursday and Friday night,” McCollum says. “After realizing this morning that I could not taste or smell anything at breakfast, I went to get tested for covid and the results came back showing I was positive for the virus.”

Parker McCollum was scheduled to play at Britt’s Farm in Kansas Thursday evening at a socially distanced concert, and was one of the headliners at this weekend’s 3-day Weedstock in Stillwater, Oklahoma, capping off festivities on Friday.

Weedstock—which is promoted by the Tumbleweed Dancehall—has received some criticism for moving forward with the event during the pandemic, with the Stillwater mayor Will Joyce saying it’s “not the right time.” Owner Cary McBride told the city’s Chamber of Commerce, “We either put this thing together or we just shut the doors for good.” The festival requires all attendees to wear masks, and has hand sanitizer and other precautions in place to prevent the spread of disease.

“My deepest apologies to the fans and the venues who were counting on me to perform,” Parker MocCollum continues. “I absolutely believe that the shows should go on and I wish more than anything I could be there to play them. I feel great and will self quarantine at the ranch for 14 days. It’s just an absolutely bad stroke of luck on the timing of contracting the virus. I want to play so bad … Please wear your mask and stay healthy.”

Parker McCollum’s first major single “Pretty Heart” current sits at #19 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, and he recently released a studio version of the fan favorite “Young Man’s Blues.”

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