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.