Fans Celebrate Willie Nelson’s Return to the Stage

Willie Nelson made a triumphant return to the stage last night, greeted by an emotional and enthusiastic response from his fans. At 91 years old, Nelson had been absent from the first eight performances of the Outlaw Music Festival, which began on June 21. Nelson and his family headline a lineup that includes notable acts such as Bob Dylan, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, John Mellencamp, among others.

Just last week, Nelson announced that he had been cleared by his doctors to resume performing. Despite this clearance, he did not make an appearance on July 2 as initially planned. However, on Thursday night, Nelson took the stage at Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic in Camden, New Jersey. His return was met with a warm and loud welcome, and he went on to perform a 19-song set. The night was particularly special as he debuted “The Border,” the title track of his latest album.

In a 2022 interview with Forbes, Nelson reflected on his longevity and career. When asked what his younger self would think of his enduring success, he humbly replied, “Well, honestly, I think about that a lot. A nightly thing, I just appreciate everything. I would say turning 90 is a surprise. It seems to surprise a lot of people if I made 90.”

Discussing his positive outlook despite reaching his 10th decade, Nelson said, “I think it’s a positive attitude. Imagine what you want and just get out of the way.” When it was mentioned that he tops many people’s lists of those they’d like to smoke pot with, and asked if he had his own list, Nelson joked, “I think if you got one, let’s burn it.”

The Outlaw Music Festival is scheduled to visit Bethel, New York, this Saturday night. The tour will continue its journey and is set to conclude on September 20 in Gilford, New Hampshire. Fans are eagerly anticipating each performance, hoping to see more memorable moments from this legendary artist.

Willie Nelson Returns to the Stage

Watch Willie Nelson Perform ‘Always On My Mind’

Watch Willie Nelson Perform ‘Roll Me Up and Smoke Me’

Willie Nelson’s 07/04/24 Camden, NY, Set List

1. “Whiskey River”
2. “Stay All Night”
3. “Bloody Mary Morning”
4. “I Never Cared for You”
5. “Texas Flood”
6. “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys”
7. “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground”
8. “On the Road Again”
9. “Always On My Mind”
10. “Just Breathe”
11. “Good Hearted Woman”
12. “Georgia (on My Mind)”
13. “I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train”
14. “Help Me Make It Through the Night”
15. “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die”
16. “Still Not Dead”
17. “The Border”
18. “Write Your Own Songs”
19. “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?”