“Just Seconds From Death – Kenny Chesney Was Once ‘Hung by the Neck’ in Front of Thousands of Fans”
It happened during what was supposed to be another electrifying night on Kenny Chesney’s 2008 tour stop in Columbia, South Carolina. As he stepped onto the stage, an overhead cable meant to hold his microphone got tangled around his neck—and began lifting him off the ground. In a horrifying twist, Kenny was suspended by the neck, helpless, and unable to scream for help as tens of thousands of fans cheered, unaware of the nightmare unfolding.
The terrifying moment lasted nearly 30 seconds—an eternity in that situation—before crew members noticed something was wrong and rushed in to save him. Chesney collapsed backstage, shaken and exhausted, but miraculously, he continued with the show as if nothing had happened.
It wasn’t until years later that his tour manager publicly revealed what truly went down that night: “We were just seconds away from losing him… over a tiny equipment malfunction.” The incident shook the entire crew, but Chesney kept it quiet, not wanting the spotlight on anything but the music.
Since that day, Kenny has personally overseen the safety checks of all stage equipment before every show. For him, trust with his fans is sacred—but the invisible scar from that night is something he’s carried ever since.