Country singer admits ‘I’m not ok’ after being removed from stage by police

We Ride musician Bryan Martin sparked concern with his ‘erratic’ behaviour during a live performance (Picture: Getty Images)

Country music star Bryan Martin has spoken out after police forcibly removed him from stage during a live performance.

According to a local radio station with Townsquare media, Martin, 37, had been behaving erratically during a live set in New York State, sparking speculation that he may have been intoxicated.

A fan-shot video from the event seemed to show the musician struggling with several uniformed police officers at the side of the stage, before being overpowered and carried away.

The station recorded one onlooker as saying: ‘He was completely wasted, performed the same hit he has 4 [times].’

They continued: ‘Proceeded to talk about his life. Hot drunk mess. Then assaulted the cops when they tried getting him off stage.’

The Goin For Broke and Everyone’s An Outlaw hitmaker has since released a statement via his social media, apologising for his behaviour.

Martin released his debut album in 2019 (Picture: Getty Images)

Sharing a black and white image of himself to his Instagram grid and Facebook page, Martin issued a lengthy explanation.

In the caption, he wrote: ‘Sorry I let yall down tonight… truth is I’m not ok… been hitting it hard for a while and haven’t took time to be honest with myself about my mental health and it’s nothing new to struggle with my anxiety and depression..

He continued: ‘but I’ve had a weight on my heart lately that’s Been heavy and accumulating with time and I let myself and my fans down by not addressing them and getting help and pretending it was all gonna just go away..’

As the full statement continued, he spoke of how ‘feelings and this life ain’t gonna be something that gets easier,’ before saying that he missed his ‘babies’ and ‘my family and the man I’m set on being.’

Describing how he had let his ‘fragile mind’ override his heart and ‘get the best of me,’ he apologised for this weekend’s incident.

Martin has been open about his struggles with alcoholism and opiate addiction (Picture: Getty Images)

He continued: ‘It’s been the most consistent streak I’ve seen in years.. day one of another one starts today.. Gods Got more in store and he’s restoring my strength as we speak… I’ll still be rocking but I think it’s times to slow down a lil and get back to writing songs and getting the help I need…

‘I’m not ever proud when I reach for another drink… hope yall can find it in you to forgive me and hope I can be a better version of myself with some prayer and love…

He added: ‘I appreciate yall believing in a broken old soul like me…’

Martin (right) has admitted that he has been battling alcohol addiction (Picture: Instagram)

It is not yet known whether Martin will face charges. However, local news channel WNYT NewsChannel 13 reported that he had admitted to Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office that he has been battling an alcohol problem.

In a statement, Sheriff Kyle Bourgault said: ‘Addiction is a disease, and it requires both accountability and empathy.

‘My hope is that Mr. Martin receives the resources and support he needs to overcome this struggle and continue to share his gift of music with fans in a healthier way.’

The star previously revealed how he once attempted to take his own life (Picture: Getty Images)

Martin has always been open regarding his issues with alcohol and his mental health.

Growing up in Longansport, Louisiana, Martin developed a teenage addiction to painkillers after breaking a collarbone during a bull riding incident.

In an attempt to clean up his life, he enlisted in the military. However, after being sent home, he became overcome with a sense of failure, and attempted to take his own life.

‘I took 30 Percocet and misfired a 357 when I was 19 years old. My first song came from a suicide note,’ Martin is quoted as saying on his official website.

Martin shares four children with wife Nichole Niemann (Picture: Getty Images)

The next day, Martin met his wife-to-be, Nichole Niemann, and took on a job on an oil rig.

After raising ‘four forgiving kids,’ Martin was involved in a near-fatal car accident which left him with a severe brain injury.

In spite of doctors telling him that he might never be able to create music again, Martin persevered, releasing his debut album If It Was Easy in 2019.

‘I made a promise that I was going to take all these broken promises and this guitar that I’d been hiding behind for so long and I was going to make it go to work for once and make it pay itself off. I had done all the suffering I was going to do,’ the musician wrote.

Since then, he has released the follow-up albums Self Inflicted Scars (2022), Poets & Old Souls (2023) and Years in the Making (2025).

With his music, Martin has continued to share his struggles with opiate addiction and poor mental health.

Of his choice to use his songs as an outlet, he said: ‘I just think that if I go hide my scars and I go putting a mask on myself or who I am, I’m doing exactly what I never wanted to do.

‘I wear the scars, and I’m learning to wear it better. The reason why I don’t hide anything is because there’s too many people that need to know that there is no difference between me and them.’

The musician was forced to cancel a string of shows last year (Picture: Bryan Martin/Instagram)

Last year, he checked into a rehab clinic after cancelling a string of shows for ‘personal reasons.’

Taking to Facebook in February 2024, he shared: ‘So … first off I’m fine gonna be even better soon … but I am in Utah in Rehab.

‘Alcohol and Addiction has always been a problem for me but I’m taking the extra time to get back on right track I hope yall know I love yall,’ he wrote.

‘I wanted to be the one to tell my fans first… so share the post whatever ya wanna do.. it may get taken down but I can promise you guys.. I’m standing strong as always and I’ll be back in no time [sic].’

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