Why Does Willie Nelson Have Two Birthdays?

Willie Nelson celebrated his 90th birthday this year, and it should come as no surprise that the country music icon is keeping the party going. The 12-time Grammy Award winner will be joined by his friends, family, and the biggest stars of the country music industry on December 17 for Willie Nelson's 90th Birthday Celebration on CBS. But some fans might be surprised to learn that the "On the Road Again" singer actually has two birthdays, and neither one is in December.

Willie was born in 1933 in Abbott, Texas, a small town about 25 miles north of Waco. His actual birthday is April 29, but, because he was born so late at night, the country clerk wasn't able to record it. So, on paper, his birthday is April 30. Willie explained, "I was born before midnight on the 29th but it didn’t get registered in the county courthouse until the next day, the 30th. So, it went out officially as the 30th. So I just do both days."

With a storied career like Willie's, it's certainly worth a double celebration! His 90th birthday is getting special recognition with a star-studded concert, airing on Sunday, December 17, at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST. It will also be available to stream on Paramount+. The event features performances by Willie, Beck, Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg, Norah Jones, Miranda Lambert, Dave Matthews, Willie's sons Lukas Nelson and Micah Nelson, George Strait, Chris Stapleton, and more. The special is hosted by Jennifer Garner, Chelsea Handler, Woody Harrelson, Ethan Hawke, Helen Mirren, and Owen Wilson.

If that's not enough, Paramount+ is airing a 4-part docuseries Willie & Family, beginning on December 20.