On the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 7, Willie Nelson revealed that a health problem will take him off the road for the rest of the year.
“I’m sorry to cancel my tour, but I have a breathing problem that I need to have my doctor check out,” the 86-year-old country legend wrote to his fans via social media. “I’ll be back.”
The cancelled shows are scheduled through November 29 and include a number of solo headlining dates as well as stops on the roving Outlaw Music Festival. However, according to organizer Blackbird Presents, the Outlaw Festival’s September shows will go on in Nelson’s stead.
It’s public knowledge that the singer-guitarist has been battling emphysema in the last few years. At a January 2018 show in San Diego as well as a May 2018 show in Charlotte, NC, he left the stage early, citing illness.
This story is still developing.
Feel better Willie!
17 Comments comments associated with this post
bob p's sitting down
August 9, 2019 at 7:38 amWillie has been cursed by hanging with that furry freak Beta O’Rourke.
Yeahyeahyeah
August 8, 2019 at 8:58 pmGet better Willie…we need you…
Mark
August 8, 2019 at 8:00 pmBlackbird is saying the outlaw shows are still on? Very confusing
Nick
August 8, 2019 at 6:14 pmOld enough to know He’s a millionaire tax cheat
PAY YOUR SHARE, White Privilege Man
Reserve
August 8, 2019 at 4:38 pmNick smokes mids.
Lots of love Willie.
kathleen decicco
August 8, 2019 at 4:34 pmPlease, Willie, KEEP BREATHING!!!
Lynda Grandinetti
August 8, 2019 at 3:48 pmI’m sending you HEALING energy Dear Willie! We Love You and all of us want you to GET BETTER FAST!!
Nick
August 8, 2019 at 2:42 pmHe’s still alive?
Lotus blows him away
Omar Shramo
August 8, 2019 at 4:56 pmI think Lotus would wholeheartedly disagree with you. In fact I’m sure of it. Why would you say something so stupid? You’re obviously a kid, if not a child. And definitely not a musician. Lotus is a band that’s been around for maybe ten years. Willie has been writing songs, contributing to the music scene, and speaking truth to power than probably before your parents were born. Learn your roots, man. Jesus.
These kids today are so damn embarassing.
Chris
August 8, 2019 at 1:58 pmGet well, Willie.
Alan Mande
August 8, 2019 at 1:57 pmCannabis smoke has been shown to be an expectorant that is beneficial to lungs, not harmful…
Lynda Grandinetti
August 8, 2019 at 3:46 pmYep – that’s my real-life experience with my asthma Alan Mande. So that worries me about old Willie – what’s causing his breathing issues? I know there are times when my asthma is acting up and I get worried about smoking weed. My daughter has to remind me that weed actually HELPS my asthma. BEFORE I smoked weed in the 60s – I was always in the hospital in oxygen tents because my asthma was so bad! Then I began smoking weed and NO MORE asthma attacks! It’s a miracle & our government LIED to us all these years!
David Joseph Pasek
August 9, 2019 at 5:45 pmSpoken like a true addict. C’mon man. Be real. Smoke dope and tobacco if you want and are willing to get emphysema. But stop the irrational lying that smoking ANYTHING is good for you. I am a medical doctor who practiced medicine for 26 years and who DOESN’T own stock in cannabis companies.
Dhx
August 8, 2019 at 12:32 pmQuit puffin and get on the oil and edibles, Willie… doctors orders…the world needs you, stay with us!
Lynda Grandinetti
August 8, 2019 at 3:43 pmHey Now DHX – I agree with the oil & edibles. Back in the 60s & 70s – I smoked lots of weed – but now I mostly eat it. However, I have asthma & there are times when I NEED to smoke weed. When I feel like I need to use my inhaler, instead I take a hit or 2 off my pipe, and I can breathe better in a few minutes! The edibles help me with my aches, pains, stress, etc., but I need to smoke once in a while to help the asthma. So – I’m thinking perhaps emphysema is different?
Hugh E. Brennan
August 9, 2019 at 12:41 pmI’ve read that none other than George Washington cultivated and smoked marijuana for his asthma. The growing of hemp for rope making and animal feed was widespread in the era, but “scientific” farmers like GW kept gardens and greenhouses for a wide variety of medicinal plants. My grandma had terrible asthma. She used this stuff: Dr, Brater’s Powder- you burned it and inhaled the fumes- hemp seed was an ingredient.
David N
August 8, 2019 at 11:54 amLatest is that he will only miss the August dates.