They say everyone has a “twin” somewhere in the world; someone who looks, acts, or speaks like someone else. After all, no two snowflakes are just alike, but there must be some that are similar, right?
If that’s the case, country singer Kenny Chesney has found his “twin”, but under rather awkward circumstances.
Chesney fan and schoolteacher Nate Blankenship showed up to a concert in Nashville recently and, because of his resemblance to the star, was stopped by several people and asked to take photos. Whether they thought he was the real Kenny Chesney or just wanted to meet the man who looks so much like him is unknown, but apparently the security team at the venue–LP Field–didn’t appreciate all the hubbub. They quickly escorted him out, saying he was causing a disturbance.
Obviously, Blankenship was upset, and tweeted about the incident right after it happened.
“Just got kicked out of concert because drunk people thought I was actually him. No refund … so mad,” he wrote.
One of the security guards allegedly told him he was acting on orders that came “straight from the top”, and told Blankenship that he had been spotted earlier at the show and they were “tipped off” about him.
Once Chesney found out, he was quick to try and make amends with Blankenship and issued a statement about his lack of knowledge of the incident.
“Being made aware through the media that fan Nathan Blankenship was removed from the Brothers of the Sun Tour show in Nashville on Saturday night, the promoter of the show is contacting Blankenship to resolve the matter,” read a statement from Chesney’s record label to E! News. No one in Chesney’s management or promoter camp was aware that this fan had been escorted from the show until after it had been reported by the media.”
Blankenship also issued a statement, saying he will be getting back the $200 he paid for his ticket in addition to some record company swag. He also used the opportunity to clear up his name, as it’s been reported that he is a Chesney impersonator. He insists that is not the case; that’s just the way he looks.
“I would like to thank my family, friends and the many well wishers who have supported me in the past 24 hours, which has probably been the most hectic day of my life,” Blankenship said in a statement yesterday after hearing that Chesney’s label wanted to make amends.
“I heard from Sony Music and the concert promoters, and they have told they will be refunding the money I paid for my ticket to the concert. In addition, Sony has said they will be sending me several CDs, which I appreciate. I would like to clear up one possible misconception. I am not now, nor have I ever been a Kenny Chesney impersonator and contrary to several reports, I do not sign autographs, pretend to be him for financial gain, or follow him around from concert to concert.”
The most surprising thing about this entire story, for me, is that a concert ticket is two hundred bucks. Maybe I’m getting old, but that seems like a lot of dough to drop on someone who isn’t The Rolling Stones.
