As Kenny Chesney made his entrance into the University of South Carolina stadium before 44,000 fans, something went terribly wrong. His right foot got caught between the elevator platform he was riding and the stage. He immediately dropped his mic and began pounding on the floor, trying to get the operator to lower the platform while trying to extricate his foot. Chesney was stuck for 45-60 seconds, while excruciating pain was written all over his face.

The show continued, however, and after the second song Chesney told the crowd, "I saw you in the parking lots today getting ready for us, and this is nothing a broken foot is going to stop." Incredibly, he didn't come off the stage even once during the two-hour show. He hobbled across the expansive stage on only the heel of his right boot and, occasionally, hopped around on his left foot alone. At one point he climbed on Uncle Kracker's back and was carried to the furthest reaches of the double-T shaped stage to the great delight of the crowd, who never really seemed to grasp just how hurt he was.

A University of South Carolina orthopedic surgeon met Chesney on his bus immediately after the show where he was treated before being taken to a local hospital. The initial diagnosis indicates that at the very least the outermost toe on his right foot is broken. Expect a full update tomorrow morning from Chesney's label and or management.

Labels: Kenny Chesney