Luke Bryan Slaps Concertgoer for Disrespecting Veterans [Watch]
Luke Bryan got into an altercation with a fan during the superstar's performance at Charlie Daniels' 80th Birthday Volunteer Jam on Wednesday night (Nov. 30), after the man made "crude hand gestures" during the performance to raise money for veterans. A video has surfaced that seems to show the superstar jumping from the stage to slap a man up front during his set at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena.
Bryan was part of an all-star lineup for the record-setting evening, which drew more than 15,000 fans and raised $245,000 for the Journey Home Project, which helps U.S. military veterans in various aspects of their lives. He performed after sets from 3 Doors Down, Travis Tritt, Larry the Cable Guy, Kid Rock and Chris Stapleton, and everything seemed to be going well until his time onstage took a shocking turn.
The singer had already run through "Rain Is a Good Thing," "Play It Again" and "Huntin', Fish' and Lovin' Every Day" when he closed his set with "Move." He careened around the stage for the high-energy closing song, and as the video above shows, at one point during the performance Bryan stopped at the edge of the stage and looked down at a man in the very front, then abruptly jumped from the stage and shoved him in the left side of the face with his right hand before just as suddenly returning to the stage to finish his song.
Reached by Taste of Country, a representative for Bryan says, "A man in the front row was making crude hand gestures toward Luke during his performance. It was insulting not only to him, but more importantly to the men, women and families sitting around him who were there to support and celebrate Charlie Daniels and the efforts of raising money for the military veterans — some of whom were in the audience. The concert security personnel saw the man’s disruptive actions of the event and he was escorted out."
After the man was removed, the evening went on to finish with a set from Daniels, as well as several all-star jams, including Bryan joining the 80-year-old icon for "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."
Randy Travis also surprised Daniels live by helping to present him with a humanitarian award for his extensive work with the military.
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