After years of smoking, country music icon Willie Nelson has given up the habit.
In a recent interview with KSAT TV, the 86-year-old singer/songwriter revealed that he has started to take better care of himself after experiencing on-going breathing issues.
“I have abused my lungs quite a bit in the past, so breathing is a little more difficult these days and I have to be careful,” Nelson confessed.
“I started smoking cedar bark, went from that to cigarettes to whatever,” he explained. “And that almost killed me.”
Thankfully, he’s still alive and kicking so he made a decision to improve his health.
“I don’t smoke anymore – take better care of myself,” Nelson said.
Though he has experienced issues breathing while on tour, the Texas native said he has no plans to stop.
“I love the bus,” he shared. “This is my home.”
For Nelson, performing live is something he enjoys, just as much as his audience does.
“It’s an energy exchange,” he said. “They give me a lot of positive energy and I hope to give them a lot of positive energy.”
And as for those death rumors?
“I don’t give a (expletive deleted) I’m here, I’m glad to be here,” he told KSAT with a smile. “I’m lucky to be here.”
