Country singer Bailey Zimmerman apologizes for canceled concert, charges dropped

Charges against Bailey Zimmerman have been dropped after prosecutors initially accused the country music star of causing $16,000 worth of damage to a New Mexico hotel room and canceling a concert as a result, his lawyer said.

New Mexico prosecutors charged the "Rock and a Hard Place" singer with felony and misdemeanor offenses after linking him to the destruction of the hotel room, which occurred on May 27. That same day, he canceled his show at the Sandia Resort on the Sandia Pueblo reservation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, citing illness.

"Charges were dropped after Bailey took immediate responsibility for his mistake," Zimmerman's attorney Kitren Fischer said in a statement shared with USA TODAY on Wednesday, June 24. "We are grateful to the Pueblo of Sandia and the District Attorney’s Office for this just and swift resolution."

Prosecutors in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, issued an arrest warrant for Zimmerman on charges of criminal damage to property, a felony, and falsely obtaining services, a misdemeanor, according to court records viewed by The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Zimmerman apologized for the incident to the hotel, his fans, and the Pueblo of Sandia in a June 23 statement saying, "I never meant for any of this to come across as disrespectful. I am deeply sorry for my actions that transpired."

"I take full accountability for everything that happened and I am sorry to anyone who feels hurt or disrespected," he added. "To my fans who bought tickets and showed up expecting a performance, I am so sorry, you deserved better from me."

Zimmerman said he understands that "being a musician comes with big responsibilities, both on and off stage, and I know that I fell short that day. I am reflecting on the disappointment and concern that I caused."

"I am taking this legal matter seriously. I am committed to doing the work necessary to learn and grow. Thank you to my fans for holding me accountable and for understanding that I am human. I do not take your support for granted," the apology concluded.

What happened in the hotel room with Bailey Zimmerman?

According to court documents, Zimmerman was playing golf at the hotel's course throughout the day with friends. Security footage later recorded them "play fighting" before they entered the hotel room.

Hotel security believed Zimmerman was intoxicated before his show during soundcheck, reportedly falling and stumbling onstage, throwing microphones, tossing cymbals, knocking over parts of his drum kit, swinging a guitar, and more.

"The band members attempted to intervene, but Mr. Zimmerman yelled at them and walked off stage for a third time," the affidavit says.

After being asked to leave the property by officials, Zimmerman spat toward a hotel security officer, prompting staff to call the police. He was then escorted off the property by police, the affidavit adds.

Contributing: Audrey Gibbs and Evan Mealins, The Nashville Tennessean