Fans Baffled as Local Council Rejects Morgan Wallen Bar Sign

Nashville’s local council members have rejected a sign proposal for Morgan Wallen’s new bar. Above, Wallen performs at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia.

Many of Morgan Wallen’s fans are confounded by the reason why Nashville’s Metro Council rejected his new bar’s request to construct a large sign bearing his name.

Even individuals who distanced themselves from the country music star’s fanbase appeared baffled by the decision made earlier this week.

This Bar and Tennessee Kitchen, which was named for Wallen’s popular 2019 song “This Bar,” is expected to open over Memorial Day weekend. With just days remaining until the bar opens its doors, local council members rejected the venue’s request to add a 20-foot sign outside the building that would have featured Wallen’s surname in big, blocky neon letters. The request was filed as an “aerial encroachment” resolution for local council members to consider because its proposed design had the sign sticking out from the side of the building.

A total of 30 members of the Metro Council voted to reject the sign resolution on Tuesday, May 21, with many mentioning Wallen’s recent behavior while explaining their hesitance about the proposal. Four council members abstained and only three, including one who sponsored the resolution, voted in its favor.

Related: Eric Church’s Bar Commemorates Morgan Wallen’s Chair-Throwing Incident With New Plaque

“These decisions should be based on city codes not personal reasons,” one person wrote while commenting on an Instagram post about the decision that was shared by The Tennessean.

“Make it make sense 🤦🏽‍♀️,” another wrote.

“So he’s allowed to have a bar, just not a SIGN for the bar? Got it, makes sense,” one fan wrote sarcastically.

“I can't stand him, but this is ridiculous,” another Instagram user commented. “This has nothing to do with his legal or social issues and shouldn't be connected. Doesn't the court decide such things?"

Several council members raised concerns about the “Cowgirls” singer while discussing the proposal, according to local news station WSMV-TV. The 31-year-old was arrested last month after allegedly throwing a chair off the roof of Eric Church’s six-story Chiefs bar, which is also located in downtown Nashville. Others also pointed to a video from 2021 in which Wallen was heard using a racial slur.

Related: Morgan Wallen Gets Trolled at ACM Awards Following Recent Legal Trouble

Council member Delishia Porterfield, who was among the “no” votes, cited Wallen’s alleged chair-throwing incident and his use of a racial slur while explaining her decision to her fellow council members and constituents.

“We just voted down a resolution allowing an Aerial Encroachment with Morgan Wallen's name on it,” Porterfield wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Yes THAT Morgan Wallen. The one who throws chairs & uses racial slurs. Nope! No thank you.”

Porterfield’s tweet continued with a reference to “Try That in a Small Town,” a controversial song released by country music star Jason Aldean last year. "Try that in a small town.... better yet....don't try it all,” she wrote.

Jacob Kupin, the council member who sponsored the resolution, appeared conflicted about the proposed use of Wallen’s name on the sign but ultimately decided to vote in favor of allowing its construction. He described the “Last Night” singer as a person who “has not been a good actor downtown,” according to The Tennessean, but said Wallen has also “made efforts to apologize and to make amends.”

Kupin further supported TC Restaurant Group, Wallen’s partner in the venture, explaining that the company “has been really a good partner in everything going on downtown.” In addition to Wallen’s new venue, TC Restaurant Group has restaurant partnerships with Aldean, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard.

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