Bryan Martin opens up about depression as he apologizes over being dragged from stage by police for erratic behavior

The Schaghticoke Fairgrounds show didn’t finish the way Bryan Martin or his fans expected. By the end of Friday night, deputies had walked him off stage. According to police, Bryan Martin had shown signs that he was intoxicated as well as "erratic behavior.” Staff tried to help him leave, but he resisted. Deputies then stepped in.

The Sheriff’s office then shared their statement:

“During the performance, Mr. Martin displayed signs of intoxication and erratic behavior, which ultimately required him to be removed from the stage. Deputies and event staff attempted to assist Mr. Martin offstage, but due to his impaired state, he became resistant and had to be forcibly escorted out.”

Sheriff Bourgault commended his deputies for handling the incident safely but said the real concern was Martin’s struggle with addiction. He framed it as a condition that should be met with both responsibility and empathy, expressing hope that Martin receives proper help and is able to return to music stronger. Bryan Martin later addressed the incident himself, apologizing in a social media post.

Bryan Martin took responsibility after an erratic show, cited anxiety and depression in his apology

On Instagram, Martin issued a long apology in which he admitted to struggling with mental health and substance use.

"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," he confessed.

He elaborated further, acknowledging the ongoing weight of anxiety and depression.

"And it’s nothing new to struggle with my anxiety and depression.. 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.. feelings and this life ain’t ever gonna be something that gets easier.."

Bryan Martin also reflected on what he wanted for his future, writing:

"I miss my babies and my family and the man I’m set on being I’ve never had the courage to be.. but lately I’ve learned I let my fragile mind override my heart at times and tonight it got the best of me… I apologize for the bad days… but I’m grateful for the countless good nights we’ve shared this year.. 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…" he shared.

He concluded with an acknowledgment of his ongoing battle with alcohol.

“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.. and I appreciate yall believing in a broken old soul like me.” explained Bryan.

Bryan Martin says music helped him heal after teenage addiction and depression

Long before his music reached millions of listeners, Bryan Martin was wrestling with demons of his own. As a teenager, his body bore the marks of risk and competition: broken bones from bull riding and a shattered collarbone on the football field. Those injuries introduced him to prescription painkillers, which at first seemed like a solution but quickly became something more dangerous.

Martin recalled in a conversation with People Magazine that he soon recognized that instead of using painkillers as a way to deal with the pain, he started relying on them more for the high.

“I knew I was going to wind up losing myself if I didn’t start learning how to deal with pain a little bit better. I think the pain on the inside was a lot worse than the pain on the outside.” he explained.

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That realization marked a turning point. Rather than let addiction define him, Martin began pouring his energy into songwriting, turning his hurt into lyrics that resonated with others.

“I’ve lived through it, I’ve learned how to take a song and write it down every day as a way of healing. And if that same song can have some healing in somebody else’s life, then I’ve done all I can do.” he shared.

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