Elle King Postpones Texas Gig 'Without Explanation' Following Controversial Dolly Parton Tribute Performance
Elle King was due to perform at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, Texas, this Friday, 26 January.
Elle King (Source: Supplied)
American singer Elle King has postponed an upcoming concert in Texas “without explanation”, leading many to believe it has something to do with her controversial Dolly Parton tribute performance at the Grand Ole Opry last week (19 January).
In case you missed it: the Ex’s And Oh’s singer came under fire (with some fans sharing their concern, too) for drunkenly stumbling through a cover of Dolly Parton’s 2001 song Marry Me.
The performance was part of Dolly Goes Opry, a show hosted by the Ryman Auditorium to honour Parton on her 78th birthday. King reportedly admitted she was drunk when she started her performance, but as footage filmed on the night shows, that much was evident for all the attendees.
At one point during the performance, King addressed the audience like so: “Hi, my name is Elle King, I’m fucking hammered.”
Less than a week after that performance, King postponed her concert at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, Texas, with her team reportedly telling TMZ the rescheduled date in September was due to “unforeseen circumstances” and that she postponed “without providing a reason”.
The venue announced the postponement on Instagram. King was due to perform at Billy Bob’s this Friday, 26 January – original event tickets will be available for the new date of 21 September, and refunds will be available from the point of purchase.
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Instagram users claimed that the postponement was due to last week’s performance, with one commenter writing, “That Dolly Parton event is sending ripples.” Another said, “Yeah you can’t disrespect Dolly and then come here. Texas ain’t Tennessee.”
Other commenters showed sympathy for King, with one writing, “Hopefully she’s getting the help she looks to need.” Another writer, feeling for her band dealing with a postponed gig, wrote: “Sending prayers for her Band & Crew who won’t be working while her she searches for the help she needs. Your artist goes down, so does your gig. Folks can’t just jump on another already staffed tour”.
Another commenter wrote that it would be a good idea for King and Jelly Roll to become “AA spokespeople and just wrote music about their experiences. And made music videos about real people who get sober and their stories!”
King was primarily a blues artist until the 2020s, when she announced a pivot into country with her third album, Come Get Your Wife. The record was eventually released in January 2023.
Elle King hasn’t publicly commented on her performance at the Grand Ole Opry or the postponement at Billy Bob’s.
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