Nashville High School teacher Nathan Blankenship was recently led off by police for the crime of… looking too much like Kenny Chesney! Blankenship was at Chesney’s show at LP Field on Saturday night when a security guard asked for his ticket.
Blakenship, who was dressed in a blue, sleeveless shirt and a straw cowboy hat, had been at the concert for four hours when the incident occurred, he told a local TV station.
“I just thought he was going to lead me back to my seat,” Blankenship said, “which I would have been fine with – but he grabs me by the arm and starts pulling me up the walkway to the very top [of the venue]. … He just said that [I was] purposely trying to impersonate a celebrity so we’re kicking you out.” And apparently this wasn’t a spur of the moment decision – local police warned security at the venue about Blankenship, stating that other artists had complained that he capitalizes on his resemblance to Chesney and tricks gullible fans and generally causes a disturbance.
“Just got kicked out of [Kenny Chesney] concert because drunk people thought I was actually him. No refund … so mad,” Blakenship tweeted after being ejected from the concert.
“I think the way they handled it made it seem worse, like they were really escorting Kenny Chesney through the crowd,” Blakenship said.
Blankenship says he tried to reason with officials but they threw him out without even a refund. “Is it because I wear the hat?” he asked. “I see a million of these hats here. I’ve worn baseball caps before and people still want to have pictures made [with me], but it’s never caused a problem. I can’t believe they think I’m actually him. Why would Mr. Chesney be in the crowd when Tim McGraw is singing?”
Chesney’s publicist released a statement assuring that the singer and his staff were not “aware that this fan had been escorted from the show until after it had been reported by the media.” Concert promoter Kate McMahon stated, “We never want our fans to leave disappointed and we are reaching out to him to make this situation right.” Chesney’s people have provided Blankenship with a full refund since the incident.
The whole thing is pretty ridiculous in my opinion. There used to be a guy around who everyone thought was Willie Nelson and would show up at concerts and bars. But seriously, you really think Willie would be hanging out here? Not a chance, man. And if you were dumb enough to believe it was him, then you deserve to be duped. (Dude was warned by the police to stop impersonating Willie eventually). And really? A look-alike in the crowd is going to detract from Chesney on stage? Come on people!
However, now that I think about it, maybe it’s my stunning resemblance to Shania that got me kicked out that one time.. I’m sure it wasn’t the tequila….
