Ray Price has revealed he's battling pancreatic cancer, but the 86-year-old country legend refuses to let the disease stop him from entertaining his adoring fans.
"The doctor said that every man will have cancer if he lives to be old enough," the singer tells the San Antonio Express-News. "I don't know why I got it -- I ain't old."
This is Price's second cancer scare. In 2009, he underwent surgery to remove polyps from his colon. The music icon's latest diagnosis came after gallbladder surgery revealed a tumor. He endured six months of chemotherapy and is happy to report the tumor has not grown and he feels fine. In fact, he headlined a concert in Floresville, Texas, just this past weekend.
But the "Heartaches by the Number" singer isn't out of the woods yet. Doctors informed him that the only possible cure will come from a nine-hour surgery during which his pancreas and part of his liver and stomach would be removed. Price is opting out of the surgery.
George Jones will do his final Nashville show as part of The Grand Tour at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on November 22, 2013. Tanya Tucker and other special guests will also perform in Nashville with Jones.
"The Grand Tour will have surprises throughout the shows - you never know who may show up! The Possum has lots of friends so it is going to be the most exciting thing to see who shows up during the final show. You should come too - and we can be surprised together!" said Jones.
Jones is often referred to as “the greatest living country singer” will mark the end of an era with his 2013 farewell tour. The tour is expected to make approximately 60 stops next year.
Tickets for the Nashville show go on-sale November 16th at 10am at all Ticketmaster locations.
George Jones on Tour (2012-2013)
11/09 - Branson, MO - The Mansion Theatre
11/10 - Morton, MN - Jackpot Junction Casino
11/16 - Peoria, IL - Peoria Civic Center
11/17 - Hiawassee, GA - Anderson Music Hall
11/23 - Winnie, TX - Nutty Jerry's Winnie Arena
11/24 - Bossier City, LA - Horseshoe Casino
12/01 - Elizabeth, IN - Horseshoe Casino
12/15 - Jackson, TN - Carl Perkins Civic Center
02/02 - Tunica, MS - Sam's Town
02/07 - Lakeland, FL - Youkey Theater
02/22 - Greenville, TX - Greenville Memorial Auditorium
02/23 - Forrest City, AR - East Arkansas Community College
03/15 - Joliet, IL - Realto Square Theater
03/16 - Muncie, IN - Emens Auditorium
03/22 - Chattanooga, TN - Memorial Auditorium
04/05 - Fairfax, VA - Patriot Center
04/06 - Knoxville, TN - Knoxville Coliseum
04/19 - Atlanta, GA - Fox Theater
04/20 - Salem, VA - Salem Civic Center
04/27 - Huntsville, AL - Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
05/17 - Charlottesville, VA - John Paul Jones Arena
05/18 - Spartanburg, SC - Memorial Auditorium
06/01 - North Tonawanda, NY - Riviera Theater
06/02 - Lancaster, PA - American Music Theater
11/09 - Grant, OK - Choctaw Event Center
