Statement from Billy Currington regarding the Big Valley Jamboree Music Festival
Due to severe storms and tornadic weather activity on Saturday night, the stage at the Big Valley Jamboree music festival in Camrose, Alberta, Canada’s largest country music festival, collapsed where singer Billy Currington was performing. Currington was on the last song of his set when the wind blew the staging down on top of him and his band.
Currington was taken to the hospital and suffered a minor concussion but is expected to make a full recovery. He has been released from the hospital and has returned to his home in Nashville. Currington’s bass player Alex Stevens was pinned under the wreckage of the stage for half an hour while rescue personnel removed debris to free him. Stevens underwent immediate surgery to repair a severed artery and nerves in his left arm and is currently receiving treatment in Nashville. Currington sent a message to his fans today via Twitter, "The boys and I are very grateful to be home and for life itself. We thank you for your prayers and concern and will see you on the road again soon." Currington also comments from his home in Nashville, "My heart goes out to the family of Donna Moore who was killed and all of the other fans who were hurt on Saturday."
User Comments
Thank you for saving Billy
God is always there
storm
I was happy to hear you are alright and I pray for your band member to make a full recovery. Good luck in the future. love your music and your voice.
Past Weekend
So glad you were ok after this past weekend.We all Love you here back in Cleveland ,Ohio and hope to see you again here soon!
Glad to hear
Hey bud, glad to hear your ok. My girlfreind and I were assisting in your first aid....good to know we did a good job and got ya threw. Sorry to hear about your band member, I hope he pulls threw ok. My heart goes out to all those who helped that day, you are all heros. Take care.
Big Valley Jamboree
So glad that you're released from hospital and that your band was able to walk away. My prayers for all involved, especially the lady who lost her life. She's not much older than I am, and, like me has two boys. I was up at the stage moments before the storm hit taking photos. Like so many others, my friend and I were still in the concert bowl...just thinking about leaving, when the storm hit. It's still hard to wrap my mind around how quickly it hit and what transpired out of it hitting. So little else was damaged during that storm. It was truly a very sad way to end my first Big Valley Jamboree.
Big Valley Jamboree
My thoughts and prayers are for a speedy recovery to you, your guitar player and all those injured/affected by this tragedy. I was in the concert bowl when this storm occured. I still can't wrap my head around how quickly it occured and what the outcome of such a quick storm was. It is truly tragic. It was such a good start to the weekend...my first Big Valley. It's still absolutely shocking and I'm sure all there will never be able to make sense of it.
Big Valley Jamboree
I just wanted to say that I am very glad that you are OK and that your band members are going to be OK also. Sorry to hear about your bass player though hope he recovers from his terrible injuries he sustained. My heart goes out to Donna Moore's boys and family. I was suppose to go to Big Valley that weekend so I could see you perform, because you truly our my favourite country male singer. But things came up and had to change my plans. I am grateful for that, but when I heard the news, I screamed and said "Oh my God, Billy Currington and his band is suppose to be performing". My friends never believed me until they heard the news. So I am very grateful that you made it through. But saddened to hear of the many performers, stage crew, band members, fans and media that got hurt. I do hope that you will consider coming back to Canada and Alberta to perform for us again, so we can all heal together. Love you Billy from one of Many Canadian/Albertan Fans. My God bless you in all you do and wherever you travel.
BVj
Im from Camrose Ab And I feel so bad for all that happened to you and your band here at BVJ I hope that if BVJ goes on that you will came back to Camrose you are a talened entertainer and I was sad to have missed you this year my heart goes out to the family of donna moore
Canada
Thank God that you are ok, so sad to hear about the woman who lost her life. Hope you heal soon and so does your band member. Angels were definately watching over you. We met one time in KCMO. I have since that day admired you not only as a performer but as a person. You have a wonderful genuine personality and I wish you nothing but the best wishes.
Re: Canada
Billy the angels of the Lord were definately with you all that day in Canada. I do hope all is well with you and your band. I pray Alex's surgery went well and he is having a speedy recovery. I saw you on a brief concert on "Soundstage" on GAC the other day, it is my hope that one day I will have the pleasure of hearing you and your band live.
BVJ
i was there that fright full day i helped pull Alex to safety my prayers go out to all of you injured and im hope you have a speedy recovery
Thoughts and Prayers
Billy, I was so saddened to hear about what happened in Canada, but I am so grateful that you and your band mates are okay as it could have been much worse. I am a HUGE fan of yours and have been to several of your shows in the last few years and you never disappoint. I am so glad you were not hurt more severely. I hope your bass player also makes a speedy recovery. I am praying for all that were involved, especially Donna Moore and her family. God Bless You!!!! Lisa in Georgia
Big Valley Jamboree
I live and work in Camrose, Alberta where the Big Valley Jamboree has been held every summer for the past 17 years. The whole city is reeling from the loss of Donna Moore and the injuries suffered by the musicians, staff and fans at the Big Valley Jamboree this past weekend. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected.
thoughts and prayers
Billy, you are an amazing musician and I just wanted to leave a note that my thoughts and prayers are with you, your band and the families that were injured this weekend. I support you and all you do.
Want to see you!
how unfortunate... I was looking forward to your show in West Allis, WI this year so much! but I can't go now.. I was volunteering in Africa for a few weeks and contracted malaria so I'm trying so hard to get over it. Hope the show (and the rest) go amazing! I'm jealous of everyone who is able to go see you :)
Thoughts and Prayers
Billy, I was so sad to hear of the storm the you all were in. My thoughts & prayers go out to you and all your band members to a fast & speedy recovery. Also to anyone else rthat was injured in the storm. My sympathies to the family that lost a loved one. Take the time and get better. Lois
BILLY GLAD YOUR OKAY ALONG WITH THE BAND!! DENNISE JUST JOINED TWITTER
BILLY, SO GLAD YOU MADE IT OUT MY HEART SUNK WHEN I READ ABOUT IT AND I KNOW YOUR BRUISED FROM THE SITUATION BUT I AM GLAD THERE WAS A ANGEL AND GOD WATCHING OVER YOU AND THE BAND... HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE WISCONSIN STATE FAIR ; DENNISE MCDONALD IS BRING HER DAUGHTER THAT YOU GAVE YOUR GUITAR PICK FROM SANDWICH,IL SEPT.5,2008... YOU STILL LOOK GORGEOUS TO ME... MISS YOU SO, DENNISE MCDONALD
Prayers
Billy I am keeping you, your band, and all those affected in my prayers. You guys give us your all everynight and now we are giving it all back to you in prayers..thank for all you do for us
God Bless!
Wishing you and all your band members a speedy recovery both physically and emotionally. I was there too and am still in shock over the tragic events that unfolded. Like nothing I have ever experienced. Just a moment after the stage collapsed all I could think about was you and your band and all the stage crew and fans that were on the stage. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was affected by this. It was a really unfortunate situation in the middle of a very wonderful performance and incredible weekend. God Bless! Krista
Bvj
We were seating watching you, when the strom hit we are glad that everyone in your band is ok. We are also from Lloydminster and very sad to learn that one of our son's friends lost his Mom. Mike tebbe is a wonderful boy who attends our church and goes to southridge camp every summer. We don't know where Mike and his younger brother will live or who they will live with as Donna was a single mom. I know that there are many family's here in Lloydminster that would love to have them. Our thought and prayers are with them and everyone else who injuried.
BVJ - Donna Moore
I saw you on Letterman last week, and thought wow, what a fun guy! Then Big Valley Jamboree happened and we hear that Donna Moore was the biggest fan of yours, and that getting her picture taken with you just shortly before she was killed when the stage collapsed. Wow! I just heard that Johnny Reid, one of the other performers has set up a $10,000 trust fund for her children. I was wondering if you would consider doing the same. She loved you and you seem like you have a real good heart.
Hope you feel better
I am so happy you guys are alright!! See ya Thurs. in Sikeston, MO....I hope!
So Sorry
So Sorry to hear about the accident. Hope you and your band members are doing well. My thoughts and prayer go out to each and everyone of you. And condolances to the Donna Moore family. Take time and get well. We all love you!
Consider Urself Family
Billy we consider U more than just an entertainer, because U Tweet we consider U family. What happens to U and yours effects us all. So we worry and continue to care and pray for Alex, U, Donna Moore and everyone who suffered from this tragedy. Because its U, it brings it home to us.
OMG
Hey ya'll I was born and raised in Camrose and have not yet once been to Big Valley. I intended on coming this year to see you but didnt end up making it. No matter where in alberta or canada or anywhere we are us camroseians come together and help eachother out. When I read the newspaper I cried. Billy you are an inspiration to me and one day I hope to become a singer. It takes a lot of work and perseverance to get where you are. You are one of my absolute faves and to hear that you were hurt in my hometown devastated me. My prayers to you and your crew. Keep on singing Billy, your making a difference. My heart also goes out to Donna's family and friends. May she rest in Peace! Cyrena
Thought and Prayer are with you and your band!!
Just wanted you to know we are thing about you and the band!!! Here is hoping You and Alex make a speedy and full recovery!!! Well wishes to the other that were injuried too!!! My heart goes out to Donna family Too!! God Bless you all!!!
Prayes for you and your band
When I heard that you and your band were caught in that horrable storm it put me in shock. I pray that you and your band were not to terrably hurt and I pray that you will all recover soon and in good time so that you can preform at all your upcomming concerts my heart and prayers go out to you and your band. Rachel
Thank You, Billy!
Billy, I can't tell you how happy I am to see all of your smiling faces. Thank you for the Twitter and MySpace messages and pictures to let us know that all of you are all right. I thank and praise God that he was looking out for you guys and keeping you safe. I tried to keep everyone up to date of everyone's status at the Fan Club http://www.billycurringtonfanclub.com/billy-currington-news.html I hope to see all of you soon in Pontiac, MI. God Bless, Tammy
Big Valley
My Prayers for Alex and a full recovery, was 10 rows from the stage as i moved in for a closer look with people leaving for shelter, then the storm hit, i have a few photos moments before the stage colapses. I am so happy you guys will be alright and am waiting for the day you come back to Alberta.
prayers for recovery
I am so sorry that you all went thru that terrible ordeal. You are all in my prayers for a quick and complete recovery. Also prayers for Donna and her family. I know that all the fans will help with the support to get you thru these times Cathy
Thanks!
Thanks for your wonderful, yet frightful, appearance at Big Valley this year. You were the highlight of what turned out to be a very frightening experience. I have been going every year for 17 years, and have never seen anything like it. I am very thankful you and your band members are alright. Thank you for your performance, I enjoyed it immensely, and look forward to another opportunity to attend again. Take care. Theresa.