Willie Nelson to miss first tour dates due to “doctor’s orders”
Willie Nelson has been forced to miss the first run of shows at the Outlaw Music Festival Tour due to an unknown health issue “on doctor’s orders”, according to a social media post.
The 91-year-old country legend was scheduled to appear at the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta on Friday, June 21st, performing alongside Bob Dylan, Robert Plant, and others, when it was announced that he would be resting up instead.
Nelson’s team shared the news on Instagram on Friday, explaining that the musician is “not feeling well” and “has been advised to rest for the next four days”. While this statement left fans feeling concerned, the message reassured them that Nelson “is expected to make a quick recovery” in time for re-joining the tour the following week.
While Nelson focuses on regaining his health, his position will be filled by his son, Lukas Nelson, who is slated to perform a “special set” comprising his father’s songs alongside a number of musical guests.
Nelson released his 152nd release, The Border, in March this year. He also recently featured on country artist Orville Peck’s latest work Stampede: Vol. 1, in which the pair delivered a contemporary reimagination of Ned Sublette’s queer classic, ‘Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other’.
Nelson has been active well into his latter years but has been urged to cancel a number of appearances due to ill health. The Outlaw Music Festival Tour is scheduled to run until the end of September, finishing with a show in Gilford, N.H. Alongside Dylan and Plant, Alison Krauss and Celisse, John Mellencamp, Billy Strings, Brittney Spencer, and Southern Avenue are also billed for selected appearances.
Health permitting, Nelson’s next show is expected to be on June 26th at the Coastal Credit Union Music Park or June 28th at the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater.
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