Rodney Crowell Cancels 2017 Tour Dates Due to Health
Rodney Crowell has canceled the remainder of his tour dates for 2017 due to undisclosed health issues.
The 67-year-old singer-songwriter announced the news in a Facebook post on Tuesday night (Sept. 19), writing, "An impressive team of doctors have confirmed what for the past year I’ve instinctively known: dealing with the root cause of my health issues requires complete rest."
"For the foreseeable future, with expert medical guidance, my work will consist of quietly encouraging my body to return to its natural state," he adds. "I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may cause."
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The news comes just a week after Crowell took Song of the Year at the Americana Honors and Awards with his song "It Ain't Over Yet." The acclaimed musician was unable to accept the award in person, and he canceled his headlining slot at the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Festival last Saturday, citing his health as the reason for the cancellation.
"It Ain't Over Yet" comes from Crowell's most recent album, Close Ties, which he released in March. The songs on the album are largely inspired by the losses of several of the legendary songwriter's closest friends and collaborators, including Guy Clark. Clark's death directly inspired "It Ain't Over Yet."
The album also features a haunting song titled "Forty Miles From Nowhere," in which Crowell ponders his own mortality.
"The song is basically, I was pondering grief, and what if I was in a position — and this again comes from the loss of these close ties — what I was in the position of widower? What might that be like?" he tells Taste of Country. "And I wrote that song by putting myself in those places of what it might be like if I lost [wife] Claudia. Which is not likely to happen. I think I’m the one who will wear myself out before her. But I really enjoyed the process of writing that song and recording it."
Crowell is one of the country artists involved in Heal the Music Day, which is set to take place on Oct. 20. The event is to recognize and support the Music Health Alliance, a nonprofit that works to connect people in the music industry with doctors, medicine and financial assistance in times of medical crisis.