A message posted on Costello’s website notes that “a very serious illness” has stricken “a close family member” but maintains that his wife and children are in “excellent health.” Costello is married to jazz pianist/singer Diana Krall.

Affected shows range from Sept. 15 in Mobile, Ala., to Sept. 22 in Durham, N.C. and include Florida gigs in Clearwater (Sept. 17); Hollywood (Sept. 18); Orlando (Sept. 19) and Jacksonville (Sept. 21). Costello’s next performance is scheduled for Sept. 24 in Atlanta at Chastain Park.

Costello’s website instructs ticket holders to contact the venue box office or ticket service for more information and says it is “hopeful” that the missed dates will be rescheduled “as early as possible in 2012.”

Costello’s “Spectacular Spinning Songbook Tour” features a Wheel-Of-Fortune-like game of chance that audience members spin to determine which songs the artist will perform. Costello resurrected the Spinning Songbook after a 25-year-absence.