Willie Nelson Cleared To Be ‘On The Road Again’ After Illness

The country music icon will unfortunately miss this weekend’s shows, but has been cleared to tour again next week.

By

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

June 28, 2024

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4:16 pm

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Willie Nelson; Photo by Pamela Springsteen

Willie Nelson will soon be “On The Road Again” after recovering from an undisclosed illness. 

According to an update shared by his official social media accounts, the legendary country singer has been cleared by his doctors to return to the road, however, his return will come next week. 

“He will resume performing on The Outlaw Tour next week,” the statement reads. “Willie will not be on this weekend’s dates.”  

The Outlaw Music Festival Tour will continue this weekend, sans Willie Nelson, with stops at Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview in Syracuse, NY (June 28), Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY (June 29), and at PNC Bank Arts Center, in Holmdel, NJ (June 30). 

In lieu of Nelson’s absence, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, and Celisse will take the stage as scheduled. 

Nelson’s son, Lukas Nelson, and the family band, along with a few “special guests” will play a set featuring Willie Nelson classics and other songs. 

Willie Nelson; Photo by Pamela Springsteen
Willie Nelson; Photo by Pamela Springsteen

Fans shared their excitement over the good news within the comments section of Nelson’s post. 

“You can’t keep this man down. Love ya, Willie,” wrote one Instagram user, while another shared, “He’s back!!! Thank goodness!!”

The 91-year-old began “not feeling well” last week and was forced to postpone several appearances on the tour. At the time, his team told fans he was expected to make a “quick recovery.” Since then, they have sent several updates on social media. 

It appears his next show will take place on July 2 when The Outlaw Music Festival Tour is set to roll through Mansfield, MA at the Xfinity Center.

Photo Courtesy Willie Nelson
Photo Courtesy Willie Nelson

The Outlaw Music Festival Tour 2024 will continue throughout the summer and into the fall with dates planned through September 20, 2024. 

Earlier this year, the Country Music Hall of Famer was recognized as the oldest musician still actively touring. He’s still releasing new music, too. Nelson’s 152nd album, The Border, was released on May 31, 2024. The project includes the single, “Made In Texas” as well as the title track, which is Nelson’s insightful rendition of Rodney Crowell and Allen Shamblin’s “The Border.”

The album was produced by the Country Music Hall of Famer’s longtime collaborator Buddy Cannon and includes 10 tracks.

Willie Nelson - The Border
Willie Nelson – The Border

Later this year, Nelson will release a cannabis cookbook with his wife, Annie. Out on November 12, 2024, Willie and Annie Nelson’s Cannabis Cookbook: Mouthwatering Recipes and the High-Flying Stories Behind Them features the couple’s favorite recipes enhanced with a unique twist: cannabis.

Inspired by meals savored during nationwide tours, at their ranch, and in beloved cities, the recipes in this cookbook are paired with Willie’s personal anecdotes. From Buffalo wings to chocolate cake and fried chicken, the Nelsons have assembled a selection of tasty, simple-to-prepare dishes that offer a mellow high with each delicious bite.

“Over a lifetime of study, I learned that pot is more than pleasure. Its positive properties are limitless,” Willie Nelson writes in the cookbook’s Note to the Reader. “It’s a blessing and a blast. It’s good fuel. Together with Chef Drummer, one of the most celebrated cannabis chefs, and my wife, Annie, the most celebrated chef in our home, I’m excited to help you to cook up a whole mess of wholesome meals.” 

Willie and Annie Nelson's Cannabis Cookbook: Mouthwatering Recipes and the High-Flying Stories Behind Them
Willie and Annie Nelson’s Cannabis Cookbook: Mouthwatering Recipes and the High-Flying Stories Behind Them

Written by David Ritz, Mia Tangredi, and Chef Andrea Drummer, Willie and Annie Nelson’s Cannabis Cookbook features a section devoted to cannabis-infused foundational elements like cannabutter, finishing oil, simple syrups, sugars, salts, and tinctures.

The unique cookbook will include 265 pages, retail for $29.99, and will officially hit shelves on November 12.

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.