ADVERTISEMENT

AOL Radio

Listen to AOL Radio Now
play arrow
Top Country - Today's Hottest Hits
Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts
play arrow
'90s Country - '90s Biggest Hits
Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, George Strait
play arrow
New Country First - Today's new country hits
Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Sugarland
Online Radio Guide

Exclusive Interviews

Chats with your favorite country stars.

Exclusive Performances

Watch live, in-studio performances.

Blogroll

Sugarland, Merle Haggard Sidelined By Illness

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.

All the AOL Music info you want to know

50 Cent, Street King: Rapper Visits…

The Boombox

AP Photo/World Food Programme, Rose Ogola NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - Rapper 50 Cent…

Grammy Acceptance Speeches: Watch 30…

AOL Music Blog

FilmMagic, Getty, WireImage It's been a busy week for God. Besides helping…

Earl Sweatshirt Returns, Releases New…

The Boombox

YouTube.com Ironically, Earl Sweatshirt was one of the most visible members…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

47 Comments

Filter by:
tom

I have been a fan of the "HAG" for 35 years.I hope this illness is not a major health threat. I will say a prayer for him.

July 26 2009 at 4:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
RebelDave

We have all have made mistakes in our lifes, The Hag has also and being drunk on stage is the least of them, But Merle doesn't blame everything he has done wrong on everybody else, Like most celebs do.

Merle is THE LEGEND of country music & should always be treated as such. If you don't know who he is then you should. Also request you go watch Mr Charlie Daniels to and you will findm out what true country music is all about.

July 26 2009 at 3:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
B.H. Lackey

Merle, you get better soon. If we lost you, you could never be replaced. Your talent only comes along maybe, just maybe, once in a lifetime.

July 26 2009 at 3:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
h8edson

If you get the chance to meet some of the singers you grew up listening to,By all means DO. Once they are gone,--it is too late. I would have given anything to have met Patsy Cline, as a kid.Missed the chance,because parents were too bust arguing about spending 5.bucks to go to a concert.Had I ONLY been a little older, where I could have gone by myself.!!! Now, recently diagnosed with Leukemia, I WILL do a roadtrip if necessary to meet some of these people, I grew up to love for their music.I met Merle Hagard by "accident" a couple years back.We were at Hard-Rock in Vegas, just for a quick-stop, and didn't know he was playing there.The wife "hit' on a machine, and won 2 tickets for the concert.Talk about feelin' LUCKY.!!! Seats were front-Row center, in second row.!!!!
IF you get the chance to meet some of your favorite entertainers, by ALL means DO.!!!!!!

July 26 2009 at 12:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nick Mayor

I was hoping the infirmed would be John Rich. His disease is utter stupidity. I wish he would light his KKK hood on fire...while he was wearing it.

July 26 2009 at 11:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dixie

Merle Haggard is a legend, Jennifer Nettles will be also. Raw, inspired talent like these two posess is rare, and it's a Gift.

July 26 2009 at 11:33 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kickinmdrums

I have opened for Merl too many times to count and have had dinner with him many times. He is NO alcoholic ,he is a very good man and always tries to do the best for his fans . He is 72 and still touring, not many 72 year old men can keep a schedule like he does ...so stop raggin on him.

July 26 2009 at 11:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David

I think we need to check on our compassion meter a little there my friend.And as far as who Merle Haggard is,he's one of the legends in country music.

July 26 2009 at 10:41 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
steve

so what if merle was drunk at a concert in the 80's, if it wasn't for him and the other old timers, country music wouldn't be close to as popular as it is. hats off to you merle and a speedy recovery.

July 26 2009 at 9:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
moranhanahan

Young punks! just give them a crack pipe,and they don't even no there parents!Making NIGGERS RICH IS ALL THEY KNOW!

July 26 2009 at 9:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply