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Country Music Fans Heartbroken To See Clay Walker Struggle To Exit The Stage At Rock The South
It hurts to see the greats grow old. Alan Jackson, George Strait, and more—many of the artists who sang many of the hits we still know and love today, were in their prime in the ’80s and ’90s. They still sold out shows left and right, but now that they are growing older, they aren’t touring in the capacity that they used to. And for artists like Alan Jackson and Clay Walker, health issues have slowed them down even more […] The post Country Music Fans Heartbroken To See Clay Walker Struggle To Exit The Stage At Rock The South first appeared on Whiskey Riff.
It hurts to see the greats grow old.
Alan Jackson, George Strait, and more—many of the artists who sang many of the hits we still know and love today, were in their prime in the ’80s and ’90s. They still sold out shows left and right, but now that they are growing older, they aren’t touring in the capacity that they used to. And for artists like Alan Jackson and Clay Walker, health issues have slowed them down even more than they’d like.
This year, Alan Jackson hit the road for his final tour. While Jackson would still like to be on the road full time, he’s battling a degenerative nerve condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Jackson was diagnosed with the condition over a decade ago, but decided to go public with the diagnosis after the effects became more obvious so that fans didn’t assume he was drunk on stage:
“I’ve been reluctant to talk about this publicly and to my fans, but it’s been a while and it’s starting to affect my performance on stage a little bit, where I don’t feel comfortable and I just wanted the fans and the public to know, if they’ve come to see me in the last few years or if they come to see me in the future if I play anymore, what’s going on. I don’t want ’em to think I’m drunk on stage because I’m having problem with mobility and balance.”
Fans could see Jackson struggling at some points on the tour, moving slowly on and off the stage, and having a stability device behind him while performing that he could lean against when he needed extra balance support. While it’s heartbreaking to know that his Last Call: One More For The Road Tour was our last opportunity to see him touring live, some of the moments witnessing him struggle on stage were even more gut-wrenching.
Now, country fans’ hearts are breaking when they see another country’s music legend struggle.
Over the weekend, Clay Walker took to the stage at Rock the South. When he left the stage after his performance, fans were saddened to see him need support getting backstage. Of course, it’s been pretty brutally hot across the country, and heat can exacerbate or trigger symptoms of many autoimmune disorders such as lupus or MS.
One fan took a video of the moment, and country fans were quick to react to the moment.
“I hate to see this. Such a wonderful man.”
“He is SO Brave and Amazing! Loved his set!!”
“Absolutely breaks my heart.”
“That’s so heartbreaking to see.”
@themisfitamber123 Clay Walker being assisted off stage #ms #rockthesouth2025 #rockstar #country #legend ♬ original sound – Mississippi-misfit-Amber123
This was Walker’s return to the stage after having to cancel a few performances after having some side effects from a medical procedure he had undergone for his multiple sclerosis (MS).
“Dear friends & country music fans, I recently had a procedure that could really help my MS… unfortunately, I’ve got some side effects that have left me unable to perform tonight at Timberwood Amphitheater in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I really tried my best to pull through for you all, which is why I waited until this morning to make this call.
I look forward to returning to Arkansas soon, and I’m bummed to miss you all tonight. We will see everyone back out on the road soon!”
Walker has lived with MS for quite some time, receiving his diagnosis at the young age of 26. Walker recalled that he knew something was wrong when he was backstage one night and he dropped his guitar pick. After bending over to pick it up again, he immediately dropped it again.
“I’d drop the pick every time I went to strum. I couldn’t hold it with my two fingers, because I could not feel it.”
That night on stage, Walker, who was usually very active during his sets, hardly moved as he was afraid he might fall over. Shortly after he was diagnosed with MS, he was a rising country music sensation and a young father. What made Walker’s diagnosis worse was that the neurosurgeon told Walker that he’d be dead within eight years due to the severity of his case.
With Walker still performing today, he proved that the doctor was dead wrong.
However, his need for assistance off the stage was heartbreaking for fans. Growing old with MS is not easy, and it appears that he is still feeling some of the lingering effects of his procedures. We hope he starts to feel better soon.
Before you go, check out this stellar rendition of “Purple Rain” that he laid down at a recent show.
The post Country Music Fans Heartbroken To See Clay Walker Struggle To Exit The Stage At Rock The South first appeared on Whiskey Riff.
