While there was plenty of summer fun to be had at country-music concerts coast to coast this weekend, fans were no doubt disappointed at a couple of medically-related cancellations.At Kenny Chesney's Sun City Carnival stop in San Francisco on Saturday (July 18), Sugarland was a no-show due to lead singer Jennifer Nettles' lingering throat problems. The San Jose Mercury News reports that signs posted outside the venue informed concertgoers that Jennifer had lost her voice in the recording studio. The upside: longer sets from opening acts Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum.
Jennifer and singing partner Kristian Bush posted a YouTube video apologizing to fans, explaining that Jennifer has been dealing with vocal issues throughout the year. "I sang too much, I blew my voice," she says in the clip, adding, "It's like a muscle. It's like another part of your body. If you sprain it or strain it, then you have to heal it or else you will break it. And I don't want to break it because I want us to come back out there and see you."
In spite of the setback, Kristian notes that Jennifer has maintained her sense of humor. She assures fans she's not sick or dying, and jokes that instead of telling the truth, she thought about revealing that she'd been binging on opium and absinthe in Paris, or that she was attempting to develop a "robot voice" to score a role in the next 'Transformers' movie."
Another artist who's had his share of ongoing health issues, Merle Haggard, has postponed or canceled a handful of shows, including dates this weekend at the Smoky Mountain Fan Fest in Sevierville, Tenn., and Jamboree in the Hills near Wheeling, W.V.
CMT.com reports that Merle is suffering from severe head and neck pain. The 72-year-old was diagnosed with lung cancer last year and had surgery to remove a malignant tumor.






Reader Comments(1 of 4)
utleypt3at 7-21-2009
Thats too bad Merle had to cancell. I'm goin to be in Seiverville this weekend an was lookin forward to stoppin by an catchin his show. He is truly one of the true GREATS of country music. (imo)I hope he gets well soon, even if he never performs publicly again.
Lauraat 7-21-2009
Been a Hag fan almost all my life....Cant remember a time I didnt sing along with his records or tapes or on the radio.
Merle Haggard get well please I love you and love your music!!!!!!!
Cliffat 7-26-2009
Merle Haggard is a great performer. Here's some great videos of Merle Haggard also performing with singers like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson and more. This not a sales pitch.-----------
http://www.video.e-bookssite.com/list.php?q=merle+haggard&Submit=GO
Bonnieat 7-21-2009
Merle Haggard side-lined by illness? I went to a Merle concert in Santa Rosa, CA in the 80's and he was so drunk, he didn't come out when they introduced him. Then while his ex-wife, Bonnie, a back-up singer were filling in time, he came stumbling out on the stage in mid-song, and made a complete ass of himself, talking about how he was "all-snotted up" because of the air being so polluted! He couldn't remember words to his biggest hits, and was staggering around on the stage, unshaven and looking like a bum. I haven't wasted money on a ticket to see him since. Unless he has sobered up, and is staying straight, he has been "side-lined by alcoholism..Has been a "no show" artist for years!
suthern90at 7-26-2009
i just dont think its rite to sit there a dwell on what sumbhody has done in the past. and i bet you truth be told you most likely were drunk also. merl is a icon. and even you may have your worse then normal day everynow and then.
waylev43at 7-26-2009
Well Ive seen Merle 3 times in three different decades and he always put on a good show. Of course we have nice clean air on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Maybe Merle wasn't drunk. Maybe he was "all snotted up" trying to breathe that rotten, foul, smoggy California air.
Betty J. Respessat 7-21-2009
Drunk or sober - Merle has been and always will be the best there is. Keep singing Merle. I have seen several of your performances and enjoyed all of them. Love you bunches.
mlmusic49at 7-21-2009
Maybe she should contact the Queen of Scream Melissa Cross.
She is one of the best vocal couches around.
fasassvalkf6at 7-21-2009
Gee Bonnie
Guess no one ever explained the fact that people make mistakes. And life is not perfect to you.
Hang in there Merle ! Even if Bonnie is going to put you out of business by not coming to see you. I think you are one of the country greats unlike this crap they call country today with here today and gone tomorrow wannabe's
hi,beverlyat 7-21-2009
I sure hope Merle doesn't have cancer again. I had non-small cell cancer in my right lung, had the lower lobe removed, Nov. 30th, 2004. Thank God, I am still here, and am a survivor. I was so fortunate to have had it found, before I even had symtoms. I pray that Merle will be as fortunate, and that he will live on for many more years.
Hey Dude!at 7-21-2009
Who the hell are you? Having cancer is to good for you, may be, just gone is better....Jerk Wad!!!!!!!
Mikeat 7-21-2009
If you do not know who Merle Hagard is you should not even be on this web site!
Jessat 7-21-2009
You don't know who Merle Haggard is? Maybe you should have stayed off this page and went and listened to the Jonas Brothers since you obviously know NOTHING about good music!
Labonte Fans 43at 7-21-2009
Merl, Get well. I have been Battling a Brain tumorGBM and I hope you don't have any Cancer at all. May God Keep Blessing you my friend, YOU Are the Greatest of All in Music! Can't stop listeingto you and we saw you in columbia SC 2 years ago. WOW! What a show. Any Show with you is WOW! all those old songs still are top today.
Love ya Merl. God Gless from Dave & Patty
nardivat 7-21-2009
Merle,get well real soon.Saw you when we both lived in Bakersfield.Miss seeing you but will hopefully see you again soooooooon.Luv ya, N