Carpel-tunnel syndrome sufferer Willie Nelson was unable to perform in North Carolina on Jan. 28 due to "terrible pain" in his left hand, the same one that was operated on in 2004. The cancellation may also have had something to due with six members of Nelson's band and entourage being cited for marijuana and moonshine possession just before the show was scheduled to start.

Nelson travels with several tour buses. He wasn't on the bus that was busted at 6:40 pm after Alcohol Law Enforcement officers smelled marijuana and were allowed to search the vehicle. They found pot, papers and a Mason jar of "non-tax paid alcohol."

Citations were issued to Nelson's bassist Dan Spears and five others. All were cited for the moonshine, but only two were cited for pot (it's unclear if Spears was among them). In addition, the general manager of the Duplin County Events Center was cited for interfering with the investigation.

The following statement was posted at Nelson's website by one of his kids (it does not refer to the bust):

"We have just cancelled tonight’s performance in Kenansville, NC because Dad’s hand (the one he had the carpel tunnel operation on) was in terrible pain, too much to play his guitar Trigger. Doctors say to give it a rest! He is going to try and finish the tour (tomorrow night in Rome, Georgia and then in Asheville, NC) before taking it on home to Texas for ten days. I’ll keep you informed if there are any more changes to the schedule. The show is currently  being rescheduled and we’ll let you know the new date."

Nelson was arrested for marijuana and mushrooms posssession after a bus search in 2006.

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