79 year old Country music legend, Willie Nelson, was set to perform this past Saturday at a private home in Colorado. The show, called Lulu’s Barkin’ BBQ, was to be a benefit concert for Dumb Friends League, a Denver area Humane Society Animal Shelter.

Fred Barlit, who was to host the fund-raiser at his home in Castle Pines Village, CO on Saturday told the Denver Post, “I was told Willie woke up and had trouble breathing, so he was taken to the hospital.”

Chris Gallegos, spokesman for the Dumb Friends League confirmed Nelson cancelled his appearance. It was revealed to attendees of the show, the breathing trouble was due to the high altitude and Willie’s emphysema.

According to CBSnews.com, a representative for Willie Nelson says he is feeling better after canceling a performance over the weekend, and will it looks like he’s “On The Road Again!”

(Performed LIVE at Farm Aid, in Champaign, Illinois on September 22, 1985.)

Nelson is an activist for several issues, his most famous being the legalization of marijuana, as well as advocating to increase awareness of the importance of family farms. He set up Farm Aid in 1985 along with Neil Young and John Mellencamp.

Nelson is also an advocate for better treatment for horses and has been campaigning for the passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act alongside the Animal Welfare Institute. He is on its Board of Directors and has adopted a number of horses from Habitat for Horses.

Amber Morgan/KILT