Owen breaks collarbone, undergoes surgery Tuesday

Owen was snowboarding in Crested Butte, Col. during the BMI Songwriter's Festival when he hit a 17-inch ice block, took a spill and broke his collarbone.

After being rushed to the hospital in Crested Butte, Owen tweeted, "Just broke my collarbone. Guess I charged this mountain a little too hard." He also told Storme Warren, host of GAC's Headline Country who was covering the event, "Man, it wasn't like I was doing anything crazy. That's why this is such a freak accident, but the reality is if you're not falling, you're not learning."

Owen flew back to Nashville. On Monday, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas Dovan confirmed that Owen's collarbone suffered multiple fractures, and he recommended scheduling surgery immediately. Owen is slated to undergo surgery today and is expected to make a full recovery.

Owen postponed his January shows, as a result. His progress during rehab will determine when he will be able to start performing again. "I'm so bummed that I have to postpone some shows, but I promise you this, I'll be back out on the road as soon as possible. I probably won't be able to hold a guitar for a while, but I can still perform."

Owen's sold-out shows originally scheduled for Jan. 18 and 19 at Joe's Bar in Chicago were rescheduled for April 18 and 19. The shows originally scheduled for Jan. 20 and 21 at Island Resort & Casino in Harris, Mich. were rescheduled for April 20 and 21.

The last time Owen's shoulder was in a sling was life changing. When he was in college, he had a wake boarding accident, which required reconstructive shoulder surgery. During rehabilitation, his left shoulder was in a sling and that is actually the time when he started playing guitar and writing songs. "If it weren't for that wake boarding accident," said Owen, "I might not even be a singer/songwriter today."