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

Willie Nelson Cancels Shows, Bandmates and Crew Arrested

Willie Nelson canceled a North Carolina concert on Thursday (Jan. 28), reportedly due to pain in his hand which prevented him from playing guitar. He also canceled a show on Jan. 30, slated to take place in Asheville, N.C. The Associated Press reports that Thursday's cancellation was announced about an hour after several band and crew members were arrested for allegedly possessing moonshine and marijuana.

According to Alcohol Law Enforcement spokesman Ernie Seneca, six members of Willie's band and crew were charged with misdemeanor possession offenses and were issued citations before the band was scheduled to take the stage Thursday night. Willie's longtime bass player, Dan Edward "Bee" Spears, and five others were charged with possession of non-tax-paid alcohol and two of the six were also charged with marijuana possession. Seneca said officers reportedly smelled marijuana on a tour bus and were given permission to search the vehicle. Willie was not on the bus where marijuana, rolling papers and a nearly full Mason jar containing moonshine were found. According to the Raleigh News & Observer website, also cited were: Kenneth Koepke, Robert Allen Lemons, Dudley Bishop Prewitt, Aaron William Foye and Thomas Ray Hawkins.

Citations were also issued to John Duane Vogt, general manager of the Duplin County Events Center, and Donald Farrior, an assistant for trying to interfere with the ALE investigation.

While Willie's publicist declined comment to the AP, Willie daughter stated on his website that Thursday night's show at the Duplin County Events Center in Kenansville, N.C., was canceled because the singer-guitarist's hand was hurt too badly to play. The right-handed guitar-picker had carpal tunnel surgery on his left hand in 2004. Willie's daughter stated he would try to finish the tour with two more dates, then return home to Texas for 10 days.

All the AOL Music info you want to know

Killswitch Engage Welcome Back Original…

Noisecreep

KillswitchEngage.com After weeks of online speculation, it looks like…

Brandy and Monica's 'It All Belongs to…

The Boombox

Jason Merritt, Getty Images What a difference 14 years make. Back in 1998,…

Leslie Carter Death: Nick Carter Skips…

AOL Music Blog

Chad Buchanan, Getty Images Leslie Carter was laid to rest over the weekend…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

25 Comments

Filter by:
Judy fuller

Everybody out here Lets show our support and go buy a CD or pay to download one or better yet.. start a Willie Nelson Weed Aid Fund.. Bless his heart..

November 27 2010 at 10:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mikey

Can't these Barney Fifes leave this poor old guy alone. He's a musical legend, he hasn't hurt anyone, and Willie has done a world of good with his Farm Aid concerts, saving a number of family farms that would have gone under. The cops are the bad guys here, not Willie. And the laws against pot are stupid and unfounded. Not one single person has ever died from pot use. Not one, ever, in history.

November 27 2010 at 5:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cj thompson

I agree with all of you, leave willie the hell alone!! If the dam cops, have nothing better to do,offer them a dam joint!!! knock'm out willie & keep on playing!! true fan cj

February 08 2010 at 8:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ladytonya

The Asheville concert was originally canceled because of the weather. Believe me, his band's pot and moonshine would have been more than welcome here! Unfortunately, he is choosing not to reschedule the concert which really disappoints. There is a big difference between Kenansville, NC and Asheville, very different cultures. Come back to Asheville, Willie, we love you!

February 08 2010 at 11:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
fblackntanman

Willie,
Sounds like harassment to me. Everybody knows that him and his band members smoke pot and drink. We've known this for many of years. I would file harassment charges. God Bless Ya Willie!

February 07 2010 at 11:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lucyzapico

wow you guys need to shut your mouth and take care of yourself. leave willi nelson alone darn it.

February 06 2010 at 9:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
romeo

stupid city of Ashville probably lost a million dollars in revenue and taxes for that SENSELESS HARASSMENT OF WILLIES BAND

February 06 2010 at 5:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to romeo's comment
ladytonya

Romeo, it is Asheville, not Ashville, and if you read the article you will notice that the band was busted in Kenansville. Kenansville is down east, a long way from Asheville. He would so not have been busted here and we are very disappointed that he isn't rescheduling his concert. It was canceled here because of the weather, we had 14 inches of snow and most people were stranded at home with no power. I couldn't have gotten out of my driveway to get to the concert!

February 08 2010 at 11:05 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
betty

I love Willie Nelson! He just the best! Keep on smaking and singing!

February 05 2010 at 9:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
RYAN

IN my state which is south of that one you get busted for pot you dont just get a ticket,you go to jail.....around here you spend about 1800 dollars for ANY pot at all....not sure about the moonshine.

February 02 2010 at 2:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
OTIS

has willie ever pulled your mother from a car ,put her on the ground,and put his foot on her neck ,so he will have something to bragg about? ask yourself who is the slimeball....

February 02 2010 at 2:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply