Discovering Country, Discovering Morgan Wallen
I wasn’t always a country music fan. Growing up, my grandma Georgette spun Kenny Rogers’ records while cleaning, but country was just background noise to me. That changed in the summer of 2020. During a camping trip, a nearby camper’s Luke Bryan album played on repeat, and something clicked. Soon I was singing along, Before I knew it, I was buying tickets to my first country shows–Luke Bryan.
By 2022, I had written my first article about Morgan Wallen, “Yes, I am a Morgan Wallen Fan.” In it, I wrestled with what it meant to be a Black woman, NAACP leader, and country music fan who loved the music of an artist facing controversy. Writing that piece wasn’t just about Morgan — it was about me learning how context is everything. I talked to folks in the industry close to Morgan– Seth England–the CEO of Big Loud, Morgan’s record label, and Jensen Sussman, who was doing his PR at the time. They knew Morgan. It also became a turning point in my career as a writer, opening doors to new experiences in music journalism, which is now an outlet for writing about my festival and concert experiences.
Syracuse – The Dangerous Tour
That same year, I saw Morgan live for the first time on The Dangerous Tour in Syracuse. Lainey Wilson and HARDY opened — both on the brink of superstardom. That night, with pit tickets and a chance to meet Morgan, as a result of writing that article, I felt electric. The show was raw, powerful, and intimate — the kind of night that stays with you long after the lights go out.
It was also the first time I experienced firsthand how deeply fans connect with Morgan’s music. His songs weren’t just being heard; they were being lived out in the faces and voices of every person around me. It’s been said to never underestimate the therapeutic power of singing song lyrics with compete strangers at a sold out show. I agree.
Gillette – The I’m the Problem Tour
Fast forward to August 23, 2025: my first-ever stadium show, Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem Tour at Gillette Stadium. Nearly 70,000 fans filled the seats and pit, a testament to how far Morgan’s journey has taken him.
At one point, he paused to reflect on his climb from small rooms to stadiums:
“Clubs, bigger clubs. Theaters, bigger theaters. Went on to arenas and started playing amphitheaters and… with the support of you guys, it’s turned into what it is today. One of the things about those smaller places, I could walk out on stage, and I could pretty much look at everybody in the eyes and just have that connection, you know? We can’t quite replicate all of that anymore, but this is my attempt at trying to bridge that gap a little bit, and just to come back here, look at some of you guys in the eyes and say, thank you for supporting me, my crew, and my family. It means a lot to us. Yeah, I’m gonna sing a few songs back here, and I’d love for y’all to sing along with me.”
Even in a stadium that size, he found a way to make it feel personal.
The People Along the Way
One of the greatest joys of being a Morgan Wallen fan isn’t just watching his career grow — it’s the community I’ve met along the way.
Diehards who follow him across the country, racking up multiple shows per tour.
Security folks who keep the pit safe but still hum along to every song.
New friends made in line or pressed shoulder-to-shoulder in the pit, where a shared lyric can turn strangers into allies for the night.
And then there are fans like the young woman I met in Foxborough. She proudly held a sign that read: “Celebrate my 18 months sobriety by singing ‘Chasin’ You!’” Her joy radiated as she stood in the crowd, proof of how music can inspire, heal, and walk alongside us through life’s hardest moments.
Still a Fan
From Syracuse to Gillette, from Dangerous to I’m the Problem, I’ve witnessed Morgan’s growth as an artist — and my own growth as a fan. His shows have grown bigger, the lights brighter, the crowds larger, but the connection remains the same.
When I first wrote about him, my story was framed by conflict and forgiveness. Today, it’s about celebration — of an artist whose music continues to resonate, break chart records and of a community that lifts one another up, and of the simple joy of being a fan.
Closing
From a news article written in reflection, to meeting Morgan in Syracuse, to standing in a stadium of 70,000 fans singing in unison, my journey as a country music lover will always be tied to him. He’s still imperfect. He’s still evolving. And so am I. Maybe that’s why I’ll always be a fan.