It was announced last night that Billy Bob Thornton’s band “The Boxmasters,” who are the opening act for Willie Nelson, have been replaced for the next two dates due to illness.

A note posted on Willie Nelson’s website late Friday said the Boxmasters were canceling the remainder of their Canadian swing, including gigs in Montreal and London, Ont., “due to one band member and several of the crew having the flu.”

“We wish them a safe and speedy recovery,” said the note. Now I don’t wish to play “I told you so” kids, but I do remember saying yesterday afternoon that one of the band members look a bit ragged, you know, like he was coming down with something and sure enough, I was right! (Remorse?)

It is a bit of a shame though, since one of the canceled dates was right here in London, ON. and I was quite prepared to spend a couple of hundred bucks so I could go and boo them!

(By the way, London, Ontario is one of the top ten concert venue’s in all of North America. Some of this might have to do with being situated a two hour drive from both Toronto and Detroit. But whatever the reason we sure get a lot of good acts coming through town!)

Oh yea, I almost forgot! The “Boxmasters will have recovered from their flu enough to re-join the tour once they are safely back in Stamford Connecticut later this month!

Allan W Janssen