Should Older Singers Retire From Touring?

George Jones recently cancelled shows due to an on-going recovery after being hospitalized for six days due to an upper respiratory infection. The 80-year-old Country Music Hall of Famer joins the likes of Loretta Lynn and Merle Haggard, who have also had to cancel several recent shows due to illness.

As a fan of traditional Country Music, I am thrilled that some legends are still recording and touring.  However, I consistently hear people say that 'older' singers should retire from the road, while they still have their voice and health.  Maybe some people just want to remember their favorite legends in their prime? I'm not sure why some music fans say things like 'he/she should throw in the towel' or a certain legend should 'give it up,' when their voice begins to fade, but as George Jones said in a recent interview with pantagraph.com- "If I retire, what am I going to retire to? What would I do with my time?"

What do you think? Are you happy that George, Merle, Willie, Kenny, and Loretta are still on the road, or do you think they should retire like The Statler Brothers, Anne Murray, Tom T. Hall and Barbara Mandrell. By the way, I still feature these great hall of famers every Sunday Morning on WGNA from 6-9am.