Country star cancels two weeks of concerts after father dies suddenly

Country music star Zach John King is mourning the sudden loss of his father.

On Tuesday, the 29-year-old artist took to Instagram to share the heartbreaking news.

“Friday my dad suddenly went home to Jesus,” he wrote alongside a series of photos of himself with his father. “He was our family’s rock. My best friend. The greatest man I will ever know. John King was the kind of husband, father, grandfather, friend, and follower of Jesus you’ll only find once in a lifetime. Those that knew him knew his eyes were never fixed on this weary world. It used to frustrate me how joyful he could be even in the worst moment of life. In his own words, that joy came from ‘the hope I have in Jesus.’”

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“In the literal blink of an eye Friday, he was home with Jesus where his soul longed to be,” he continued. “We wanted 25 more years with him and that pain will cut deep for the rest of my life. However, if there were ever a moment to be sure my dad is waiting for me in the very place all of our souls long for, it would be now.”

“I am canceling the next two weeks of shows to grieve with my family,” he added. “After that, Imma do what my dad would want me to do and get back to work. I’ll leave y’all with what he said every morning even when I didn’t want to hear it … ‘today is the day the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it.’”

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“I love you dad. I’ll see you soon.”

Close friends and fans were quick to share their respects.

“I’m sorry Zach… praying for you and your family,” Ella Langley commented.

“Wow man I’m so so sorry. I know you’ve got an army around you but you also have the Lake’s lifting yall up as well. What a beautiful thing to be able to say of your dad. Leaving a legacy,” Christian songwriter Brandon Lake added.

King has spent the summer on tour with Morgan Wallen, Luke Bryan, Riley Green and Thomas Rhett, while gearing up to headline his “Get to Drinkin’ Tour” this fall.

The Georgia native is among several artists who have recently canceled scheduled performances due to personal circumstances.

Last year, country star Cody Johnson canceled all of his remaining 2025 tour dates after doctors discovered a ruptured eardrum that required immediate surgery.

“It is with a very heavy heart I have to share the remainder of this year’s concert performances will not be able to happen,” Johnson wrote in a statement shared on Instagram. “While battling a severe upper respiratory and sinus infection, I burst my eardrum. The severity of the rupture means I must undergo immediate surgery.”

Johnson said it wasn’t “possible” for him to continue performing.

“The healing process will take many weeks, and it is not possible for me to sing during this time. Without the surgery my downtime could be months,” he added. “I pray for full healing so I can get well and return to doing what I love. Thank you COJO Nation for the love and support now, and always.”