Country music legend Willie Nelson has once again canceled a performance on his Outlaw Music Festival Tour. The 91-year-old icon was scheduled to perform in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Thursday, but a statement shared on Nelson’s official Facebook page on Wednesday announced his absence. The reason for Nelson’s cancellation was not disclosed, but his team expressed optimism that he would return to the tour shortly.
The Virginia Beach show will still feature performances by Bob Dylan, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, and Celisse. Nelson’s son, Lukas Nelson, along with the country star’s touring band, Family, will step in to perform during his set. This marks another instance in a recent string of canceled performances for Nelson, who has been dealing with health concerns.
Last week, Nelson canceled his appearance at the Outlaw Music Festival Tour in Georgia due to health reasons. A statement shared on his social media pages at the time said, “We regret to inform you that Willie Nelson is not feeling well and, per doctor’s orders, has been advised to rest for the next four days.” The statement added that Nelson was “expected to make a quick recovery.”
Despite the cancellations, the Outlaw Music Festival Tour continues with its next stop scheduled for Friday in Syracuse, New York. The lineup for the Syracuse show includes Nelson, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, and Celisse. Tickets for the event are still available through various platforms, including Live Nation, VividSeats, and StubHub.
The Outlaw Music Festival will also make stops at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on July 6 and the Darien Lake Amphitheater on September 17. The lineup for Bethel Woods will mirror that of Syracuse, while the Darien Lake show will feature John Mellencamp and Southern Avenue instead of Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Celisse. If Nelson is unable to perform, his time slot is expected to be filled by Lukas Nelson and Family.
Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and Robert Plant are all members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Plant, who was inducted as a member of Led Zeppelin, has been collaborating with Grammy-winning bluegrass musician Alison Krauss since 2007. Nelson and Dylan previously played the Syracuse amphitheater in 2017, while this will be Plant’s first time at the venue. Led Zeppelin performed in 1969 and 1971 at the War Memorial, and Plant played a solo show at the Landmark Theatre in 1993.
“This year’s Outlaw Music Festival Tour promises to be the biggest and best yet with this lineup of legendary artists. I am thrilled to get back on the road again with my family and friends playing the music we love for the fans we love,” Nelson said in February when the festival’s lineup was unveiled.
The Outlaw Music Festival, founded in part by Nelson, initially debuted in 2016 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and has since become a touring event. The festival has featured acts such as Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs, Eric Church, Sheryl Crow, and more.
Nelson’s recent health issues are not the first time he has had to cancel performances. In August 2019, he nearly canceled his “On the Road Again” tour due to a breathing problem. After announcing the cancellation on August 7, 2019, an update the following day stated that he was “resting and getting better” and the tour would resume on September 6.
Other legendary artists have also faced health-related performance cancellations. Bruce Springsteen postponed several concerts in Europe at the end of May after doctors advised him not to perform for ten days. In September 2023, Springsteen postponed his remaining 2023 concert dates as he recovered from peptic ulcer disease.
Despite these setbacks, Nelson remains active in the music scene. He released an album in May called “The Border” and had cameos in Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” country album. Last year, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, where he performed with Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow, and Dave Matthews.
“I haven’t quit,” Nelson told “CBS Mornings” last year. “Maybe I should, but … after every tour. I said, this is it. And then get the urge again to go back.”
As fans await Nelson’s return to the stage, the Outlaw Music Festival Tour continues to bring together some of the biggest names in music, ensuring that the show goes on.
Source: USA TODAY, CBS News, Gray News, Syracuse.com
