Tim McGraw almost made the tough decision to walk away from music altogether. It’s been a long time since the country music star introduced himself to the world with his self-titled debut album in 1993. Over 30 years later, McGraw is still one of the most recognizable stars of the genre. That’s why earlier this year, country music fans expressed concern when the country star shared a photo of he and Faith hill in Denmark, with him resting his arms on a cane. Tim McGraw later explained that he had back surgery before his tour in 2024. Though he did that in hopes that it would make touring easier, things went south early in the tour, and he said his knees overcompensated trying to make up for his back pains, and they also went out on him a mere three weeks into touring. After he finished last year’s tour, he had surgery on both of his knees, and while he was recovering from those surgeries, Tim’s back went out once again, and he had no choice but to have another surgery for that as well. All that to say that the country music star’s physical health hasn’t been cooperating with the 58-year-old’s plans. He spoke more on that at a recent concert of his in Highland, California at the Yaamava Theater. According to McGraw, this latest back surgery that he had almost retired him from the music and touring industry: “I’ve had four back surgeries and double knee replacements, just in the last couple of years. Things were getting really bad, (and I was) getting depressed over it… And this spring, before I had my final back surgery, things were getting really bad, so I was seriously contemplating and figuring out how to walk away. I didn’t want to, but I didn’t think it was going to get better.” It certainly sounds like Tim McGraw didn’t want to give up the music portion of his life just yet, but his physical health wasn’t being conducive. However, thanks to the work of his doctor – who was there in attendance at the Highland tour stop (he shouted out “Dr. Chen” during his address to the audience)– Tim McGraw was eventually able to recover and reevaluate the plans for the rest of his career. And obviously, I’m writing about how he’s out on tour right now, so that’s a bit of a spoiler to the story. He finally felt good enough to get back out there, and the trials and tribulations he faced with his health even inspired him to write a new song called “King Rodeo,” which he played for the California crowd: “But it’s gotten better. So, during that process, I had this idea for this song that sort of dealt with facing age and facing all that stuff that comes along with it.” “King Rodeo” gives some Toby Keith “As Good As I Once Was” vibes, lyrically speaking. I don’t necessarily want to start comparing Tim with the Big Dog Daddy, but both songs allude to tapping into that younger version of yourself every now and again: “Hey, King Rodeo We’re all gettin’ older Saddle’s hard The nights grow colder There’s still a fire That burns inside you Just one more Eight-second ride in you.” Ironically, the song truly does sound like a vintage Tim McGraw track… even though the subject of the lyrics is obviously tackling present day thoughts that the 58-year-old country music star currently faces. The music video for “King Rodeo” was fittingly shot during the Inaugural Music City Rodeo that took place earlier this year. “King Rodeo” The post Tim McGraw Says His 4 Back Surgeries & A Double Knee Replacement Made Him Consider Retiring: “Things Were Getting Really Bad” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.