Willie Nelson misses first two nights of new tour due to health issues

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (WJW) – Fans who bought tickets for the first few shows of the “Outlaw Music Festival Tour” won’t be seeing Willie Nelson.

Hours before the first night of the tour kicked off in Alpharetta, Georgia on Friday, June 21, an announcement was posted on social media that the 91-year-old wouldn’t be able to perform.

“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 read. “He is expected to make a quick recovery and join the Outlaw Music Festival tour next week.”

Willie’s son, Lukas Nelson, and the Family Band, were performing in his absence, the social media statement read. Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Celisse were expected to perform their sets as scheduled.

Musician Willie Nelson performs during the Georgetown to Austin March for Democracy rally on July 31, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

The specific date of Willie’s return has not been announced, and no additional details were released.

Willie Nelson was also absent from Saturday’s tour stop in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is not expected at Sunday’s show in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Outlaw tour is scheduled to perform again on Wednesday at the Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater in Virginia Beach, Virginia, but there is no word yet on whether Nelson will return for that show.

Other upcoming Outlaw shows include stops in Syracuse and Wantagh, New York, and Holmdel, New Jersey.

Nelson, who turned 91 earlier this year, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023. He was also honored with an educational endowment at the University of Texas’ LBJ School of Public Affairs and has a new book about his songwriting called “Energy Follows Thought: The Stories Behind My Songs,” which came out in October.

The Texas actor, activist and songwriter penned hits like “Crazy,” “Funny How Times Slips Away” and “On the Road Again” over his seven-decade career, as well as co-founded Farm Aid.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.