Chart-topping country singer Morgan Wallen postponed a series of concerts, including a pair at MetLife Stadium this month, after reinjuring his vocal cords, he announced Tuesday.
Wallen, 29, recently returned to performing after 10 days of vocal rest but says he felt “terrible” following three concerts in Florida last week.
“I went in and got scoped yesterday and they told me that I reinjured my vocal cords and that I have vocal fold trauma,” Wallen said in an Instagram video. “Their advice is that I go on vocal rest for six weeks, so that’s what I’m gonna do. They want me not to talk at all, but they said if I need to it’s OK for something like this [announcement].”
Wallen was scheduled to perform at MetLife in East Rutherford, N.J., on May 19 and May 20 as part of his One Night at a Time World Tour. He says the postponed shows will be rescheduled but hasn’t announced the new dates.
The Tennessee native also had concerts scheduled in Philadelphia, Austin, Houston and Atlanta during the next six weeks. He said he’ll miss a performance Thursday at the Academy of Country Music Awards as well.
“[The doctors] told me that if I do this the right way, that I’ll get back to 100%,” Wallen said. “They also said that if I don’t listen and I keep singing, then I’ll permanently damage my voice. So for the longevity of my career, this is just the choice I had to make. I hate it, but I love you guys and I appreciate all the support.”
Vocal fold trauma occurs after “excessive and improper use of the voice” and can affect a person’s speaking voice, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Last month, Wallen made a last-minute cancellation at a concert in Mississippi, then postponed several subsequent concerts as well. He said Tuesday he also tore his lat muscle during a recent trip to Australia and expects that injury to heal during his vocal hiatus.
This week marks the fifth time Wallen’s hit “Last Night” came in at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. He s also known for songs such as “Thought You Should Know,” “You Proof” and “Wasted on You.”