Merle Haggard showed his country toughness as he battled for his life against deadly pneumonia.
The National ENQUIRER learned the admitted pot smoker was rushed to the hospital in December after a debilitating bout with killer lung disease laid him low for 11 days.
But after leaving the hospital, friends and fans of the 78-year-old “Okie from Muskogee” singer became more alarmed as he suddenly canceled all his scheduled February performances.
“Pals like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson were worried sick and praying that the grizzled old Okie would bounce back,” a Nashville insider confided to The ENQUIRER.
The Country Music Hall of Famer had recently battled a series of health setbacks. In 2008, docs removed a cancerous chunk of his right lung.
He also tangled with pneumonia in 2012 and canceled a concert at the last minute due to illness.
“But Merle’s been known for his toughness,” dished a spy.
“Even at his worst times, he always put up a brave front.”
