Garth Brooks has canceled the four remaining tour dates on his 2021 calendar and the Nashville show he was hoping to make good after a rainout in July. Rising rates of COVID-19 cases nationwide necessitated the decision.

The move is not a total surprise, as Brooks said he'd re-evaluate these shows after last Saturday's stop in Nebraska. The five affected concerts include the Nashville concert and planned stops in Cincinnati, Ohio (Sept. 18); Charlotte, N.C. (Sept. 25); Baltimore, Md. (Oct. 2); and Boston, Mass. (Oct. 9).

Ticketmaster will issue a full refund automatically, a press release notes. No action is required to obtain a refund.

Brooks' comments recognize that cities like Charlotte have been postponed several times.

"I have asked the wonderful cities of Cincinnati and Charlotte to wait too long, and I don't want to now do that same thing to the great folks in Boston and Baltimore," he says. "As far as Nashville, we are looking for a makeup date from the July rainout, and though this is not COVID related, to make them wait makes me sad as well. So, it is with a heavy heart we announce the decision to cancel all five shows, but with a hopeful heart, we will reschedule and start over when this wave seems to be behind us."

New concert dates are being sought for 2022, but Brooks' representatives continue to monitor COVID-19 numbers in hopes of returning to the road in some way in 2021.

"I'm sincerely hoping we are back on tour before the year's end," the megastar says. "With that said, the most important thing to me is fulfilling my end of the Stadium Tour by making sure every show is doable before putting tickets on sale ... and making sure the environment these people are trading their time and money to put themselves into is not only the best experience ever, but also the safest one we can provide."

Nationwide, the CDC reported on Monday (Aug. 16) that the current seven-day moving average of new daily COVID-19 cases increased by 19.9 percent from the previous seven-day moving average. Current rates are similar to the rates in late January and early February, up more than five times from the 12-month low in late June.

Concert promoters such as Live Nation will mandate proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test starting on Oct. 4.

5 Hottest Country Tours of Summer 2021


There’s a lot to consider when making a list of the hottest tours of summer 2021, including star power, opening acts, venues and set lists. Add to that concerns and cautions as the country begins to emerge from a pandemic and that no one has seen live music in 14 months. It’s quite likely you’re craving live music like a drug that’s just out of reach ... or you’re scared shirtless to surround yourself with 10,000 fans indoors. 

All the emotions about reengaging with the live country music community are valid. While at first it seemed September would be start-up month, several tours on this Hot List begin in July and August at outdoor venues across America. The No. 3 tour and No. 1 tour on our list are mostly indoors, but both are banking on increased safety that comes from a majority of the population having the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Once those lights go down, all of these worries will be carried away by the buzz in the air (and maybe, from your cup). Find five total professionals on this list of Hot Summer Tours, each bringing a total stage show, plus several in-demand opening acts with a proven track record of live entertainment at the highest level. There’s no fat on any of these country tours — if you stick to the tailgate through an opener’s set, you’ll truly be missing something special. 

As always, let us know who you can’t wait to see on tour in 2021 via Twitter or email

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