James Otto Sidelined by Illness

Our best wishes go out to James Otto for a speedy recovery. The country-soul crooner has been forced to put his concert and media tours in support of his upcoming album on hold due to illness.

"Dear Friends, I want to share with you that I was admitted to the hospital yesterday for an abdominal illness and will be canceling my shows this weekend -- 9/10 in Clarksville, Tennessee and 9/11 in Berea, Ohio," James writes in a statement to the media and fans. "I have been feeling badly on and off for a while now but didn't think it was serious. Plus, I may have been a bit distracted by all the excitement of baby Ava's arrival! I'll be down for a few days but hope to be back in action and on the road again soon."

Baby Ava was born August 24 and is the first child for James and his wife, Amy. The singer ended his run on Toby Keith's American Ride tour just days before his daughter arrived, so that he could be there for her birth.

James' new CD, 'Shake What God Gave Ya,' is due in stores September 14. Its current single is the touching ballad, 'Soldiers and Jesus.'