Merle Haggard is recovering from surgery to remove tumor

Country star Merle Haggard is recovering following surgery to remove a tumor from his lung. The singer/songwriter underwent the operation on Monday at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital in California.
The 71-year-old was diagnosed with the malignant tumor in May (08) and despite initially refusing treatment, he bowed to pressure from friends and family to have the growth removed. Doctors have hailed the operation as a success. Haggard became a household name after the anthem “Okie From Muskogee” hit No. 1 in 1969. He has had 38 No. 1 hits stretching back to 1966.