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Merle Haggard Back In The Saddle
“I’m feeling good and ready to get back on the bus,” the 74-year-old country music legend said. “Thanks to all for their powerful prayers that led to my speedy recovery. I’m rehearsing with the band and looking forward to playin’ and singin’ again.”
On Jan. 17 he reportedly canceled a gig in Macon, Ga., seven minutes before show time. Due to a case of double pneumonia he ended up calling off the rest of his January tour dates.
Pneumonia wasn’t the only thing keeping Haggard off his feet. After checking into a Macon, Ga., hospital, spokeswoman Tresa Redburn said that doctors diagnosed the musician with three stomach ulcers, eight polyps in his colon and diverticulitis of the esophagus.
Photo: Larry Hulst
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Speedway Meadow, San Francisco, Calif.
Haggard checked out of the hospital Jan. 20 and attempted to make it home to Redding, Calif., on his tour bus. After realizing he still wasn’t feeling so hot he returned to the hospital a few hours later, where he underwent a more aggressive antibiotic treatment for pneumonia. By Jan. 27 Haggard had returned to his home in northern California.
The singer-songwriter will begin his previously scheduled tour as planned Feb. 28 in Tucson, Ariz., at the Fox Tucson Theatre. He will be accompanied by his longtime band, The Strangers.
The postponed January gigs will now take place in April. The Macon, Ga., show is set for April 25 at the Macon City Auditorium, followed by the Paducah, Ky., show at the Four Rivers Center April 26. Fans in Lula, Miss., can mark their calendars for April 27 when Haggard plays the Isle Of Capri Casino. The Tulsa, Okla., gig has been rescheduled for River Spirit Casino April 29.
After making up the postponed shows, the next date on Haggard’s calendar is July 22 at Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming, followed by a string of U.S. headline concerts and fair appearances Aug. 3 through Sept. 1
Click here for Merle Haggard’s website.