Willie Nelson Cancels Concerts Due to the Flu

Having difficulty breathing and coughing, Willie Nelson left the stage at Harrah's Southern California Resort in Funner, CA (near San Diego) on Jan. 6 after performing just his opening number, "Whiskey River."

Nelson canceled the next four shows at Grafton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park, CA (Jan. 10), The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas (Jan. 12-13) and E Center in Laughlin, NV (Jan. 14). His next tour dates pick up on Feb. 7 at Macon City Auditorium in Georgia.

Update: Nelson also canceled the following shows: Mason City Auditorium, Macon, GA (Feb. 7); IP Casino Resort, Biloxi, MS (Feb. 9); Marina Civic Center, Panama City, FL (Feb. 10); and Germain Arenam Estero, FL (Feb. 12); He resscheduled the following shows: Pompano Beach Amphitheater, Pompano Beach, FL (Feb. 13 to Mar. 2); Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL (Feb. 15 to Feb. 28); Space Coast Daily Park, Viera, FL (Feb. 17 to Mar. 3); and St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St. Augustine, FL (Feb. 18 to Feb. 27). The tour (six shows) cruns thrrough Mar. 12.

Nelson's publicist Elaine Shock tells CelebStoner that "he's getting over the flu." However, the singer does suffer from emphysema.

His latest album, Willie's Stash, Vol. 2: Willie and the Boys, was released in October. Nelson will turn 85 on Apr. 29.

Steve Bloom

Steve Bloom

Publisher of CelebStoner.com, former editor of High Times and Freedom Leaf and co-author of Pot Culture and Reefer Movie Madness.