Billy Joe Shaver is 76 years old, and at that age, dying simply becomes more probable. Fortunately, despite a recent, and very serious, health scare, the artist is still alive and (getting) well.

Shaver's message came via Texas musician, tour manager and prodigal son Jeremy Lynn Woodall: He posted on Facebook on Monday (May 23), writing, "I have an important message from Billy Joe Shaver." In the message, Shaver says, "I was on my deathbed for two days. I came back to kick some more a--. Please stop calling my phone, it’s ringing off the hook. See you on tour soon. Love you all.”

“He’s alive,” confirms Cary Baker, Shaver's publicist (via Saving Country Music). “He has indeed canceled tour dates for the rest of May, and part of early June. But he’s supposed to be back out there in late June. He is in the hospital, and I know there’s been rumors here and there. He’s an old guy, and he’s had hips replaced and knees replaced, but he’s alive and kicking.”

This news brings a sigh of relief to Shaver's fans, who were considerably worried after he cancelled several shows, with fear turning into rumors of his death. On May 13, Shaver's team stated he would need to cancel shows through May 28, and then, on May 20, they announced that he would need to cancel 11 more shows to fully recover from "a serious medical condition."

As of now, Shaver is slated to appear at Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic in Austin, Texas, along with more than 20 acts, including Brantley Gilbert, Kris KristoffersonJamey Johnson with Alison Krauss, Lee Ann Womack, Asleep at the Wheel, Shakey Graves, Leon RussellDavid Allan Coe and many more. Shaver, Russell and Coe are all Fourth of July Picnic veterans; they performed during the very first year of the event in Dripping Springs, Texas.

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