At 92 years old, Willie Nelson has done enough in his career to warrant a retirement, but the country music icon isn’t slowing down and recently took to the stage in his self-built town of Luck, Texas, to announce his new album and tour dates.
Willie hadn’t been on in front of a crowd in six months before stepping on stage for the Luck Reunion that took place right outside of Austin. According to reports, at times Willie gasped for air and struggled to strum his guitar, “Trigger,” but in other moments his energy surged, allowing him to create beautiful runs on it.
What’s Next For Willie?
The intimate show was the setting for Nelson’s latest announcement, an album titled “Dream Chaser,” which will be his 79th studio release. The album will feature original music with songs written by Willie, Bob Dylan, Bobby Tomberlin, and Nelson’s harmonica player, Mickey Raphael.
The album, to be released on May 29th, is produced by Nelson’s longtime collaborator, Buddy Cannon.
The first single from “Dream Chaser” has been released, and it explains why Willie Nelson isn’t slowing down. Willie sings about songs still coming to him in the middle of the night and shares the lyrics:
You may not understand it
Why we live with the sacrifice
But it’s worth every mile
To get to sing for a while
Truth is I’ve done it all for free
Always rhymes to be makin’
When you’re a dream chaser like me
Fans will hear music from Willie’s new album, and he also announced a series of April shows in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas. Nelson turns 93 on April 29th, and he will revive his Outlaw Music Festival this year with Wilco, Sheryl Crow, The Avett Brothers, Margo Price, and Sierra Hull touring with him this summer. He will also spend the Fourth of July in Austin playing at his annual festival.
Willie has expressed his desire “to die on stage,” but we hope this wish doesn’t come true anytime soon. One would argue that it’s Willie’s determination to keep making music and performing that keeps him alive, or it could be the legend’s smoking preference; either way, be sure to mark “see Willie Nelson live” off your bucket list.
