Fans Rally For Morgan Wallen: Billboard Campaign Highlights Support Ahead Of ACM Awards

Billboards calling Morgan Wallen his fans' choice as Entertainer of the Year have popped up around Nashville ahead of the 2021 ACM Awards. More than 800 fans contributed to a campaign to raise money for the signs, showcasing their dedication to the country music star despite recent controversies. The billboards serve as a visual representation of solidarity and support from his fanbase, eager to remind the music industry of Wallen's talent and popularity.

On April 12, Taste of Country confirmed the locations of three billboards, each featuring two Wallen-focused graphics that rotate at various busy intersections near downtown Nashville. One of the billboard designs boldly reads, "Support that boy from East Tennessee," while another features the hashtag "GAHT" in larger font. This grassroots effort highlights not only Wallen's impact on country music but also the strength of community among his fans.

Urban Dictionary's definition of GAHT is not fit for publication; however, a sweatshirt available on Wallen's website describes it as an interjection "used for anything and everything." While the intent behind the use of this term on the billboards remains unclear, it reflects the unique culture surrounding Wallen and his fanbase. Additionally, the messaging on the billboards references Mark 11:25, a Bible verse promoting forgiveness, suggesting a deeper meaning behind the campaign.

The strategically placed billboards are located along Broadway and West End Avenue, within a mile of each other and close to Music Row. The specific locations include I-65 and Broadway in the White Castle parking lot, West End Avenue and 19th Avenue, and West End Avenue between 23rd Avenue and 24th Avenue. This prime positioning ensures that the messages reach a wide audience, especially those attending the upcoming ACM Awards.

Lamar Advertising, the company operating the billboards, has not provided information about who ordered the signs or how long they will remain up. As of press time, Wallen's representatives had not responded to requests for comment. A representative for the singer later confirmed to Rolling Stone that Wallen was not involved in the billboard purchase, and Lamar's representatives stated they had not communicated with Wallen's team regarding this initiative.

On Tuesday, Taste of Country reported that over 800 fans had financed the billboards through a private Facebook group. A disclosure was added to the billboards stating they were "paid for by Darleen Ingram and 824 loyal fans." This collaborative effort demonstrates the lengths to which Wallen's supporters are willing to go to express their loyalty and love for his music.

The Lamar representative explained, "We allow our billboard network to be used to display commercial and non-commercial messages, and we have an extensive policy governing what types of content is permissible." They confirmed that the content of the Morgan Wallen billboards met their Copy Acceptance Policy standards, although the billboards initially lacked the required disclaimer detailing the advertiser's identity, which has since been corrected.

Music Mayhem Magazine and Country Now first shared images of the billboards, along with a message from an anonymous fan claiming responsibility for ordering them. This supporter stated that the funding for the billboards came from Wallen's fans during a crowdsourcing campaign. They chose this particular week for the billboards to coincide with the 2021 ACM Awards, set to air live from Nashville on CBS on April 18.

Wallen was disqualified from this year's awards after a video surfaced showing him using racial slurs during an incident he described as part of a 72-hour bender. Following the incident, his music was removed from major playlists on streaming platforms and radio stations. Furthermore, he was dropped by his booking agent, and his record label suspended his contract. Since his apology video on February 10, Wallen has remained silent on social media, making this billboard campaign a significant statement from his loyal supporters.