Country music star Jake Owen had just wrapped up his set and was enjoying Jason Aldean‘s headlining performance when violence broke out during Las Vegas’ Route 91 Harvest Festival. While Owen was able to exit the side stage and made it out unharmed, his life has been altered by witnessing the mass shooting.
On the first anniversary of the tragedy that rocked the nation, the artist shared the following message via Twitter: “I will never forget the evening of October 1st, 2017. A year ago today people were loving life. They were singing along. Families and friends. 58 lives were lost and thousands were injured and lives changed forever. You will always be in my heart and on my mind.”
During the chaos of October 1, 2017, Owen sent out the following heart-wrenching message to his fans.
Gun shots!!! Vegas. Pray to god. Love you guys. Love you Pearl.
— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) October 2, 2017
Just reading his words hits you in the gut. He truly feared for his life and the lives of others at the event.
“I’m a changed guy… 100 percent,” Owen shared with Taste of Country during an interview this spring.
“The whole Vegas thing gave me so much perspective, personally,” Owen went on to reflect. “Now I look out into the crowd of people coming out to enjoy a show differently. They are not only coming out to see an artist they like, but some of them are coming out to escape a little from everyday life. They are there to create memories with the people they love.”
Owen appreciates his career now more than ever and recognizes how lucky he is to be able to sing for thousands of people while traveling across the nation. He hopes to spread positivity through his music as well to combat the negative experiences that many are facing.
“As entertainers, that’s what all of us signed up for,” Owen said. “I want to make sure those people have the time of their life via my live performance. I’m really approaching every show like it was my last. It’s not that I think something is going to happen, but I’m never going to take it for granted again that I’m going to do this show tonight and do another one tomorrow.”
Joining Owen in marking the first anniversary via social media are Jason Aldean and his wife Brittany. As fans know, Jason was able to leave the stage quickly while shots rang out and was reunited with his pregnant wife. Both were eventually able to leave the scene uninjured and baby Memphis was born exactly two months after the tragedy.
Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this senseless act of violence.
