Jason Aldean Mourns Loss Of Ryan Fleming, the Security Guard Who Saved Him During Route 91 Shooting
“Thank you for having my back all these years,” Aldean wrote.
Jason Aldean, Ryan Fleming; Photos via Instagram
Jason Aldean is mourning the loss of his dear friend and longtime security guard, Ryan Fleming.
The superstar took to social media to pay tribute to Fleming on Wednesday (Aug. 25).
“Man this is a hard post to write,” he began. “We lost one of our boys today. Ryan Fleming aka @rhinolin3 was a friend I grew up with in Georgia. He was a bouncer at our favorite bar in Macon when he was 18, then went to work for the Sheriffs dept as he got older. When it came time for me to hire a security guy that I knew would always look out for me and my family, There was no question for me that person was Rhino.”
Aldean went to to remember how Fleming was always there for him, no matter what, including the moment a gunman opened fire on the Route 91 Festival in Las Vegas when he was on stage performing.
“He came out and traveled the world with us and for years if u saw me, Rhino wasn’t too far away,” he shared. “He was the person who pulled me offstage during the Route 91 shooting and put his life in danger to take care of me and my crew. He was a good man and an even better friend. We will all miss you brother and thank you for having my back all these years. We love ya Rhino! RIP.”
View this post on Instagram
Aldean’s post included several photographic memories of himself with Fleming. Other artists, who remembered spending time with Fleming on the road, shared their condolences via the comments section.
“Oh damn, sorry to hear that. Remember him very well. Cool dude,” wrote Charles Kelley.
Kane Brown shared, “😢 My favorite time with him was when he would ride my bus and drink A whole 24 pack to his self… the window was lined with empty cans ❤️ can’t even believe it 😞.”
View this post on Instagram
Dee Jay Silver also paid tribute to Fleming on Instagram.
“Today is a rough one,” he admitted. “There are very few people that you speak to on a daily basis, & even fewer that you can count on anytime and anywhere…… that was Rhino! The world lost one of the good guys today. If anything ever went wrong, the first person you looked for was Rhino. If you ever needed a laugh…. the first person you looked for was Rhino. Rest In Peace my friend, We’re all gonna miss you Coot! @rhinolin3 🦏 💔”
Fleming’s cause of death has yet to be revealed.
Written by
Lauren Jo Black
Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.