That’s one hell of a call to the bullpen.
Eric Church wrapped up his Gather Again Tour last night in Madison Square Garden. Unfortunately, one very important member of his band couldn’t be there: his incredible backup singer, Joanna Cotten.
Joanna announced that she was heartbroken to have to miss the stop in NYC after testing positive for COVID for a second time on this tour:
“Well friends, it’s heartbreaking for me to tell you that I have covid for the second time and have got to sit this one out.
As you can imagine, I’m devastated. But I will be there in spirit. Waving, prancing from side to side on that stage, watching my brothers in awe while they play their hearts out and supporting the main man, Chief, like I have so many times in the last 8 years.
So from my heart to yours…here’s my final Gather Again tour bow. You the fans, are the ones that have kept me going. With all my heart, I love y’all.”
Well it was the final stop of the tour, so you know Eric had a few tricks up his sleeve. And he called up another country music superstar, Ashley McBryde, to fill in for the show.
I mean, imagine needing a backup singer on short notice and just calling up Ashley freakin’ McBryde to fill in. Talk about a deep bench.
Of course this isn’t the first time Ashley has served as Church’s backup singer, after the two performed a powerhouse medley of Chief’s biggest hits at this year’s ACM Awards back in March.
And it’s not the first time Eric has surprised a crowd at one of his shows with an appearance from Ashley either. Remember back in 2017 when he introduced her to the world in Chicago?
Seems like the crowd on that final tour stop at Madison Square Garden got quite the treat.
