Merle Haggard Returns to Hospital to Treat Pneumonia

Merle Haggard has returned to the hospital in Macon, Ga., where he was diagnosed with pneumonia last week. The country legend checked himself out of the facility on Friday and attempted to make the tour bus ride back to his home in Redding, Calif. However, a spokesperson tells the Associated Press that Merle soon became aware that he wasn't able to make the journey and returned to the same hospital.

The 74-year-old singer is now on what doctors report is a "more aggressive antibiotic treatment for pneumonia." The illness first became apparent prior to his Macon, Ga., tour stop, which was canceled when Merle was rushed to the hospital. His tour manager, Frank Mull, confirmed to the Ledger-Enquirer that the singer had been sick since leaving his California home the week before.

As a result, concerts in the following cities have been canceled: Columbus, Ga.; Paducah, Ky.; Lola, Miss.; Ft. Worth, Texas; and Tulsa, Okla. The singer-songwriter's next scheduled performance is Feb. 28 in Tucson, Ariz. Get updates on his concert schedule here.

The Hag, who beat lung cancer back in 2008, has proven a touring troubadour despite several medical setbacks. In August, he was forced to postpone several concerts for an undisclosed medical issue, after being taken to a hospital in Ft. Worth, Texas. He was right back on the road the following month. The music icon was also sidelined in late 2010 due to a respiratory ailment, but then kept his 2011 calendar full with tour dates.