Ricky Van Shelton: Proves 'Show Must Go On' in spite of injury

NASHVILLE, TN. (Sony) - The old show business axiom 'the show must go' took on a new meaning this weekend for Ricky Van Shelton.
In Hiawassee, Georgia for an appearance at the Georgia Mountain Fair, Ricky had fans on their feet for a flawless show on a perfect afternoon of country music. Getting set for his evening performance, things took an unexpected turn as Ricky volunteered to help friends load a motorcycle onto its trailer. In the process of loading the bike, a razor sharp piece of metal protrusion on the trailer slashed a 2 � gash in Shelton's head. Stunned and bleeding profusely, the country singer was sped to a nearby hospital emergency room, where doctors were on standby. In spite of the pain and loss of blood, Ricky recovered sufficiently to insist he had no time for stitches—since he had a second performance at 9:00 P.M.

Thanks to the miracle of modern medicine doctors were able to treat the gash with a surgical glue process that put the determined singer out the door and back onstage just in time for his second set. An hour into the performance, he called for stool, complaining jokingly with the audience that he felt a 'little lightheaded.' Explaining good naturedly to the audience what he'd be up to between shows, he continued the set, closing to a standing ovation.

Although he's still nursing a slight headache several days later, Ricky arrived back in Nashville and is healing nicely. One more example that 'the show must go on' really is a serious commitment by some country music artists who will—like Ricky Van Shelton-- go to great lengths not to disappoint their fans.