Willie Nelson returned to the stage of his traveling Outlaw Music Festival on Sunday night (July 7), playing his second show since returning to the stage after a bout of illness.
The 91-year-old country legend has missed eight Outlaw Music Festival dates over the past month due to unspecified health issues. Still, Nelson appeared his usual self on Sunday, holding court over a captive crowd with classics such as “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die” and “On the Road Again.” Per Setlist.fm, Nelson’s set list was 20 songs long.
Fan-recorded video of his performance of “You Were Always on My Mind” shows Nelson seated, but still delivering a mesmerizing performance of the ballad as he strummed an acoustic guitar.
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This show also marked the final Outlaw Music Festival dates featuring Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, and Nelson smiled for a bus photo with his tour mates to commemorate their last show together.
Per Nelson’s website, the tour will continue later this month with a new crop of all-star performers: Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp. Opening acts Brittany Spencer, Billy Strings and Southern Avenue will split the rest of the summer dates.
Why Did Willie Nelson Cancel Shows?
- Nelson first revealed that an unspecified health issue would keep him from joining the opening shows of the tour on June 21.
- After that, he canceled several more appearances.
- Each message announcing more canceled shows has included an assurance he was on the mend and would join the tour soon.
- He finally made his return to the stage at his 4th of July Picnic in Camden, N.J.
Carena Liptak is an Associate Editor and staff writer at Taste of Country. She specializes in breaking country music news, interviews and lists. In particular, she’s got a soft spot for sad songs — check out her roundup of the 50 Saddest Country Songs of All Time!
