Morgan Wallen has already ended his self-imposed hiatus, performing live for the first time since his controversial use of a racial slur.

Well that was quick. After stating that he’d take time away from music this summer to focus on himself, the country star has returned already. As per Billboard, Wallen surprised the crowd at – where else – Kid Rock’s honky tonk with a performance on Wednesday night.

The bar was also the site of Wallen’s arrest back in May 2020, when he was kicked out of the only tonk for public intoxication and disorderly conduct.

Videos immediately popped up of the jubilant Nashville crowd cheering and singing along as he sung his songs ‘Whiskey Glasses’ and ‘Wasted on You’. Kid Rock, naturally, also made an appearance.

It comes after Wallen became embroiled in controversy recently after footage of him using a racial slur surfaced. He was dropped from his recording contract and removed from radio play around the U.S.. in the aftermath.

Wallen, commendably, said that he would not be performing this summer as a result in a handwritten letter posted to his social media. “I found this time away to be very valuable to me in many ways, but I feel like I need a little more of it, and therefore will not be performing tour dates this summer,” he said.

He had been due to support Luke Bryan on tour and also play several country music festivals. With this new performance at Kid Rock’s, perhaps Wallen is earmarking a sooner-than-expected return to music. Jensen Sussman, a spokesperson for Wallen, said his performance at Kid Rock’s bar was unplanned.

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Check out Morgan Wallen performing for the first time since his hiatus:

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