Merle Haggard [ tickets ], who underwent lung surgery in November, plans to hit the road harder in 2009 than he has in 20 years, according to a Reuters report. Haggard said a bout with lung cancer will not get in the way of his touring and recording plans.

"I think we can stir up some good humor out there among the folks that are crying for good news, and just give them a moment's happiness," he was quoted as saying.

The Bakersfield, CA-resident, who reportedly quit smoking marijuana just days before his Nov. 3 surgery, said he is singing better now that he is in the throes of kicking his daily pot habit.

With a clean bill of health following his lung surgery, Haggard is mapping out his 2009 itinerary. He said he plans to perform this year at some unusual venues including churches, hospitals and prisons--especially women's prisons, which he says often get overlooked.

The country star recently finished a double-disc set that combines studio recordings and live tracks but has not decided how to release it.

In recent years, Haggard has worked with Los Angeles-based punk label Epitaph Records and Nashville-based McCourty Records. Both labels keep asking him for more material, "so we're not without options," he said.