Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Ryan Upchurch Responds to Luke Combs’ Apology and Calls Him ‘F—ing Sissy’

Upchurch Calls Luke Combs 'F—ing Sissy' Over Confederate Flag Apology
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

In the wake of the outrage surrounding Morgan Wallen after a video of him yelling a racial slur and profanities has surfaced, a number of country singers are now facing the music regarding their own past, insensitive racist actions.

More especially country superstar Luke Combs, who recently apologized for utilizing the confederate flag memorabilia in the 2015 music video for Ryan Upchurch‘s version of his song “Can I Get an Outlaw.” Pictures from that short clip started circulating online, where Combs can be seen performing with a Confederate flag behind him. In addition to that, the “Better Together” singer was holding an acoustic guitar with a sticker of the flag’s image on it. 

Talking to Maren Morris and NPR’s Ann Powers for the annual Country Radio Seminar, Combs says “there is no excuse” for using such imagery. And now that he has grown as an artist, he’s now fully enlightened of “how painful that image can be,” adding that he would never want to be the reason for somebody else’s pain.

And knowing that he’s one of the most visible country singers in the genre at the moment, the Grammy nominee said he wants “to use that position for good, and to say that people can change and people do want to change, and I’m one of those people trying.”

However, it seems like Combs’ apology has ignited a dividing banter among country music fans and musicians. While some are praising the North Carolina native for speaking about the age-old issue of racism inside the genre, there are some fans who are unconvinced of the country singer’s sudden moment of reckoning. 

Luke Combs’ apology even roused a clap back from his fellow country singer Ryan Upchurch, who went beyond calling him “f––ing sissy.”

Taking to his Instagram Story, Upchurch wrote, “Y’all country singers need to quit being f—ing sissies, I mean dude, one person does something wrong that they shouldn’t have done and now all of y’all are bowing down ‘i’m sorry,’ you didn’t do nothing, what are you sorry for?”

In addition to that, he also uploaded a video on YouTube with the title “my apology” – though there’s nothing apologetic in the video.

“You thought this was an apology video, that’s cute,” Upchurch said before he proceeded to address Combs’ apology in particular. Upchurch believed that Combs did not come out and apologize by himself but did it as per the demand of his record label.

“You think he waited six years of not saying nothing, not preaching nothing about unity,” Upchurch said in the video. “But now he does, and you don’t think somebody told him to?” 

There were also reports saying that Combs’ record label was making an effort to have Upchurch’s music video for “Can I Get An Outlaw” removed, which irked him even more.

https://youtu.be/6AxDyogvXv0

Latest Stories

Allie Colleen performs on stage with a big smile and acoustic guitar, showing confidence and independence as she builds her music career on her own terms—far from her father Garth Brooks’ shadow.

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Says She Doesn’t Represent Him and Wants No Part of His Shadow

In a world where name-dropping can open every door in Nashville, Allie Colleen is out here trying to slam it shut. The 28-year-old country artist and youngest daughter of Garth ...

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Moved On, But Did They Ever Make Amends?

Country music fans watched their fairytale unfold like a damn movie until the credits rolled too soon, and the lights came up on something way messier. Blake Shelton and Miranda ...

Gwen Stefani smiles at Blake Shelton on the red carpet of the Academy of Country Music Awards—despite new song lyrics fueling speculation about trouble in their marriage.

Gwen Stefani’s New Song Is Stirring Talk of Marriage Trouble With Blake Shelton and It’s Not Just the Lyrics

It doesn’t take much to set the rumor mill spinning, but Gwen Stefani just handed it a full tank of gas and a match. Her new single “Still Gonna Love ...

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban smile on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, showing off their unshakable bond—even if a professional collaboration isn’t on the table.

Nicole Kidman Reveals Disappointing News About Keith Urban and Why They Won’t Work Together

Hollywood’s favorite Aussie power couple just crushed a longtime fan dream with one word. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban may have the kind of private fairy tale that gives tabloid ...

Cody Johnson performs at an outdoor concert in front of an American flag, shown here during a previous show, before he paused his Tailgate N Tallboys set to address anti-Trump protests and lead the crowd in a "God Bless America" sing-along.

Cody Johnson Blasts Anti-Trump Protests and His Crowd Responds With a “God Bless America” Sing-Along

Cody Johnson doesn’t tiptoe. He stomps. During his June 14 stop at the Tailgate N Tallboys festival in Bloomington, Illinois, CoJo grabbed the mic, hit pause on the hits, and ...

HARDY performing live onstage in the U.S., shown here during a past show, ahead of canceling the European leg of his Jim Bob World Tour to prioritize family and crew.

HARDY Cancels European Leg of Jim Bob World Tour Ahead of First-Ever Headlining Dates

The long-awaited European run for HARDY’s Jim Bob World Tour just hit the brakes, and fans across the pond are understandably bummed. On the morning of June 16, HARDY dropped ...

Billy Ray Cyrus stands on the red carpet in a black leather jacket and sunglasses, unintentionally becoming the center of family drama after Trace Cyrus called him out online.

Trace Cyrus Blasts Billy Ray for Skipping Grandma’s Funeral to Chase Fame and It’s About as Ugly as It Gets

When your son calls you “the l𝐚mest man to ever walk planet earth,” it’s safe to say things have gone past the point of no return. Trace Cyrus is not ...

Holly Dunn performs passionately under soft stage lights with her guitar in hand, capturing the emotion behind her heartfelt classic “Daddy’s Hands.”

Holly Dunn Wrote “Daddy’s Hands” for Her Dad and Somehow Spoke for an Entire Generation

This is the kind of song that makes grown men stare out the truck window in silence and pretend it’s just the pollen getting to them. When Holly Dunn wrote ...

Oliver Anthony belts out raw heartbreak in a dimly lit studio session, his face scrunched in pain, strumming a resonator guitar with the kind of fury only divorce can fuel.

Oliver Anthony Poured His Divorce Hell Into “Scornful Woman” and It’s Flat-Out Devastating

You can smell the smoke coming off this one before the first note even hits. Oliver Anthony isn’t one for PR gloss or neatly packaged pain. He’s raw, gravel-throated, and ...

Brad Paisley strums his guitar under a spotlight—looking like he’s about to sing the song that breaks every stepdad’s heart wide open. Not the original performance, but you can feel the same lump in your throat.

Brad Paisley’s “He Didn’t Have to Be” Is the Ultimate Tribute to Men Who Chose to Be Dad

It’s the kind of song that sneaks up on you, then hits like a freight train made of soft memories and old regrets. Before Brad Paisley was co-hosting the CMAs ...