JACKSONVILLE — Pain in Willie Nelson's left hand, not moonshine in a jar, caused the cancellation of his Duplin County show Thursday night, according to the singer-songwriter's camp.

His concert was canceled 15 minutes past its scheduled start, according to concertgoers. His son posted a notice on Nelson's Web site that the Texas musician's hand hurt too badly to play. The right-handed guitar-picker had carpal tunnel surgery on his left hand in 2004. Nelson publicist Elaine Schock said Nelson's Web site's explanation as to why the concert was canceled was the truth.

But others wondered if the no-show was due instead to the presence of N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement agents.

After allegedly smelling marijuana wafting from the band's concert van parked outside the Kenansville venue, Alcohol Law Enforcement agents asked members to hand over the weed, which they did with no problems, said Ted Carlton, special agent in charge of ALE's District III.