Morgan Wallen's Mom Lesli Calls Out City of Nashville After Son's Bar Sign Proposal Rejection: 'Way to Go'

An application for permission to install a sign at Wallen's This Bar and Tennessee Kitchen was recently denied by Nashville Metro Council members

Morgan Wallen and Lesli Wallen attend the 2022 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Morgan Wallen and Lesli Wallen in Las Vegas in May 2022. Photo:

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Morgan Wallen's mom, Lesli, is sticking up for her son.

After Nashville Metro Council members recently denied a request to install a sign for Morgan's new bar, This Bar and Tennessee Kitchen, in the state capital due to his past controversies, the "Last Night" singer's mom reacted to the decision in an Instagram comment on May 24.

Following the sign proposal's denial, Morgan, 31, took to the social media platform and shared a photo of his recent sold-out crowd from a series of shows earlier this month at Nashville's Nissan Stadium and tagged the city. Music outlet Country Chord then reposted his photo, and Lesli shared her thoughts in the comments section.

"Way to go Morgan, the city of Nashville says 'Thank you for all of your help bringing in millions of revenue,'" she wrote.

Morgan Wallen
Morgan Wallen in Nashville in November 2023.

AFF-USA/Shutterstock

During a meeting on May 21, 30 Metro Nashville councilmembers voted "no" to development company 4th Avenue Property LLC's application to construct an "aerial encroachment" at This Bar and Tennessee Kitchen, located at 107 4th Ave North.

At the time, Councilwoman At Large Delishia Porterfield referenced Morgan's past behavior while explaining her decision.

Morgan Wallen performs onstage during the 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 08, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Morgan Wallen.

Astrida Valigorsky/WireImage

“We want to make sure that Nashville was a supportive place for everyone, so I don’t want to see a billboard with the name of a person who’s throwing chairs off of balconies and who is saying racial slurs, using the n-word, so I’m voting no," she said.

The "Wasted on You" performer was arrested in April on felony charges after allegedly throwing a chair off the rooftop of a Nashville bar. In 2021, Morgan garnered backlash in response to a surfaced video of him using the N-word.

Shortly after the vote, Porterfield shared news of the Metro Council's decision via X (formerly Twitter) with a photo of the voting results — revealing three council members voted yes, while four abstained.

"Try that in a small town.... 🤷🏽‍♀️ better yet....don't try it all," quipped Porterfield in a reference to Jason Aldean's controversial single "Try That in a Small Town."

Under Nashville law, "Any aerial, underground, or building (including awning, sign, canopy, fiber optic cable, etc.) that encroaches on Metro right-of-way (ROW)" must be approved by the city's Metro Council, per WSMV.

PEOPLE reached out to TC Restaurant Group and Morgan's reps for comment.

Morgan Wallen performs the song "'98 Braves" at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. The show airs on November 19, 2023 on BBMAs.watch.
Morgan Wallen performs in Atlanta in November 2023.

 Christopher Polk/Penske Media via Getty 

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Morgan was arrested on three felony charges on April 7 following the alleged chair-throwing incident. Days later, he took "responsibility" for his actions in a statement published on X. The next court date in the case is scheduled for Aug. 15.

This Bar and Tennessee Kitchen was originally set to open Memorial Day weekend, but the plan was postponed, The Hill reported on May 26. "This is not related to the Metro Council’s denial of the aerial encroachment for the sign. TC Restaurant Group continues to work with Metro," a spokesperson for the company reportedly told the outlet.

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