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Willie Nelson Cancels Tour, Cites ‘Breathing Problem’

Willie Nelson performs onstage during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Dolly Parton at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 8, 2019 in Los Angeles. (Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Willie Nelson has canceled the remainder of his current tour, citing a health issue.

Willie Nelson performs onstage during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Dolly Parton at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 8, 2019 in Los Angeles. (Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

The 86-year-old singer performed a show in Toledo, Ohio, then took to Twitter to tell followers, “I’m sorry to cancel my tour, but I have a breathing problem that I need to have my doctor check out. I’ll be back.”

Nelson was scheduled for 30 more shows, including a stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Friday and a grand finale at Thackerville, Oklahoma in November.

He was also gearing up to play the Farm Aid concert September 21 with Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Bonnie Raitt.

It’s not the first time he’s dealt a health challenge. In 2018, Nelson canceled a performance at the Outlaw Music Festival, then pulled some shows from his tour. In 2017, the altitude in Salt Lake City, Utah, forced him to halt a show.

“I am sorry to have to cut the SLC show short tonight,” he wrote on Twitter. “The altitude got to me. I am feeling better now & headed for lower ground.”