Country Music Star Merle Haggard Released From Hospital

After treatment for multiple health issues in Georgia, the country artist is finally resting back home in California

By Bruna Nessif Jan 27, 2012 10:20 PMTags
Merle HaggardNoel Vasquez/Getty Images

You won't have to sing him back home tonight.

Country music legend Merle Haggard was released from the hospital yesterday and flown back to his home in Northern California, Reuters reports.

The 74-year-old singer-songwriter checked into a hospital in Macon, Ga., on January 17 for treatment of double pneumonia, which forced him to cancel all of his scheduled performances this month.

But while Haggard was there, doctors discovered other issues that needed medical attention, which is what caused his prolonged stay.

He ended up having eight polyps removed from his colon and got treatment for three stomach ulcers and diverticulitis in his esophagus. All of these ailments were discovered by the Macon medical staff, who Haggard credits with "probably saving my life."

The star plans to resume his tour on February 28 in Tucson, Ariz., with all of his canceled concert dates being rescheduled for April.