Merle Haggard cancels shows due to illness

Merle Haggard, the rough-and-tumble country star whose career stretches back to the 1960s, has cancelled all his September concerts because of illness.

His publicist Tresa Redburn said he is suffering from a chest infection, but it is unrelated to the lung cancer he was treated for two years ago.

Haggard, 73, cancelled a string of shows earlier in the month, reportedly because of pneumonia.

He had been touring in support of his latest album, I Am What I Am, which achieved his strongest following in two decades when it was released earlier this year.

Haggard, who had several brushes with the law before becoming a country star, is known for his innovative songwriting and working man's point of view.

The singer-songwriter is credited with influencing a generation of country musicians.

He is scheduled to get the Kennedy Center Honours later in December in recognition of his long career.

His publicist did not say when he would return to touring.