HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Laryngitis forced pop singer John Mayer to back out of a performance at the Dodge Music Center on Saturday night.

Thousands of fans waited at the gates before organizers decided co-headliner Sheryl Crow and opening act Mat Kearney could go on without Mayer. The Grammy-winning singer, who was born in Bridgeport and raised in Fairfield, is best known for songs such as “Your Body is a Wonderland” and “Daughters.”

“John feels terrible about the sudden cancellation and he will plan to be back in Connecticut soon,” according to a press release, which attributed his absence to a “sudden onset” of laryngitis.

Fans who did not cross the entrance gate and have their tickets ripped are entitled to a refund. Additional information about refunds will be available early this week.