One year after the mass shootingat Las Vegas’Route 91 Harvest Festival, the country music industry is paying their respects to the victims of the tragedy in a multitude of ways.
On Monday at 1:05 p.m. ET/10:05 a.m. PT, country stations around the country, record labels, publishers, booking agencies and several organizations observed a moment of silence for 58 seconds — one second for each person murdered — for the victims of the deadliest in modern America’s epidemic of mass shootings.
Country music stars across the board paid tribute to the victims across social media.
“Thinkin’ about our Route 91 family today. #vegasstrong,”Aldean Tweetedon Monday.
In April, Aldean addressed the tragedy when he returned to Las Vegas totake home the top award of the night, Entertainer of the Year, at the 53rdAcademy of Country Music Awardsat the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
“My wife, I love you. My three good luck charms at home … I love you guys,” he said in regards to his kids: daughters Keeley and Kendyl andinfant son Memphis.
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And Aldean’s expectant wife,Brittany— who watched her husband perform from a tent behind the stage, as she was pregnant withtheir first child together— alsotook to Instagramon Monday to spread the love, as she was pictured with her back to the camera wearing a Route 91 Harvest sweatshirt.
“Heavy on our hearts today and every day👼🏻🧡#vegasstrong,” she said.
Chris Young, who didn’t perform at the festival, butended up attending last minuteand took cover backstage as Paddock fired on the crowd,took to Twitterto remember the night that had “so much loss for no reason.”
“I don’t open up very often so I hope everyone takes this message as I mean it. It has been a year since #Route91 happened…so much loss for no reason during something that should have been a happy moment for everyone present,” he said. “I was there, I’m lucky to be alive, and I will never forget the loss that so many had to suffer through that day and all the days since. I’ll never forget having to call my family saying I hoped to see them again. I love you all. Cherish every day you have.”
Maren Morris, another performer at the festival, took to social media to pen a letter to “hate.”
“Dear Hate, I hate to tell you that love is gonna conquer all… Thinking of the fans we lost a year ago,”she Tweeted. “You’ll always be the 3 chords and the truth.#Route91”
Jake Owen, who took the stage at the Route 91 Harvest Festival on the night of the shooting at 8 p.m. andthen watched Aldean’s performancealong with hundreds of fans when the chaos commenced, remembered the fans “singing along” to what was supposed to be a night of fun.
“I will never forget the evening of October 1st, 2017,”said Owen, who performed at the festival. “A year ago today people were loving life. They were singing along. Families and friends. 58 lives were lost and thousands were injured and lives changed forever. You will always be in my heart and on my mind.”
Lee Brice, who had played Route 91 Harvest Festival two nights prior to the shooting,took to Twitterto honor the “heroic fans” who put their lives on the line to save others.
“I wanted to take a moment to honor the memories of those we lost, and those still healing from last year’s tragedy,” he said. “Last night we honored the heroic fans who sacrificed everything in the midst of uncertainty.#VegasStrong”
Just hours before the shooting,Big & Richtook the stage toperform in front of thousands of fans, who had little knowledge that they would be fighting for their lives later in the night.
“One year. God Bless America & God Bless our Route 91 family. We won’t ever forget you.#VegasStrong,” theyposted on Twitter, along with a video.
source: people.com
