Turnpike Troubadours Fight Through Power Issues to Perform Friday

Yes, there was yet even more drama with a Turnpike Troubadours performance, and another show that was almost cancelled. But this time it was in no way the band’s fault. In fact they were the ones that insisted the show go on, and pushed through the issues to offer attendees a full performance, and give fans a happy ending.

The Turnpike Troubadours arrived at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma on Friday evening (2-15) for a show less than two hours north from their base of operations in Tahlequah, only to find that the northeast part the city, including the Buffalo Run Casino, was experiencing intermittent power outages due to an issue at one of the city’s power substations. This resulted in power to the Buffalo Run Casino going out six or seven times during the evening, including during the Turnpike Troubadours set.

The show was opened by Ft. Worth songwriter Vincent Neil Emerson, and power went out in between his set and the Turnpike Troubadours show. However electricity was restored after a delay, yet only to have it go out again right as the Turpike Troubadours were playing their well-known song, “7 & 7.” Even without power, the band kept playing, and the crowd started singing loudly along to make up for the lack of amplification (see video below).

After the multiple outages, Buffalo Run Casino chose to call the concert off. Turnpike Troubadours posted on social media briefly, “Sorry Miami OK! apparently the power grid to the city is out and we’d love to come back out and finish our show, but Buffalo Run Casino has decided to call the show. We hope to be back soon.”

However power was restored once again, and the show went on. To make up for the intermittent outages, Turnpike played well past the traditional curfew for the venue until a full show had been performed. The staff and crew at the Buffalo Run Casino stuck around to facilitate the full show being performed.

Some attendees did leave the concert after getting frustrated at the situation, and Buffalo Run Casino says they did take the names of some attendees who stopped by the box office before leaving, and they may be offered credits. But many people stayed until the end of the show. “The people who stayed thoroughly enjoyed them,” a Buffalo Run Casino employee told Saving Country Music.

Similar accounts were also given by Turnpike fans. “…sticking it out last night at the Buffalo Run Casino. The power went out and you guys could have called it and left but you didn’t,” said one fan, Lisa Orr Laughlin on Facebook Saturday. “If it’s possible I am even a bigger fan now. Great show!!!”

The Turnpike Troubadours are scheduled to play the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo Complex in Waco, TX Saturday night (2-16). Hopefully it goes off without a hitch.

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