'On doctor's orders', country legend to miss first three shows on co-headlining touring festival with Bob Dylan
The Outlaw Music festival kicked off Friday without one of its collaborators as, hours before the tour kicked off, Willie Nelson revealed he would miss at least three shows with an unspecified illness.
“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 country legend's social media announced hours before the start of Alpharetta , Georgia. “He is expected to make a speedy recovery and participate in the Outlaw Music festival next week.”
In place of 91-year-old Willie, his son Lucas Nelson and the Family Band and special guests will perform “a special set featuring Willie's classics and other songs.”
In addition to the Georgia gig, Nelson will also miss Saturday's show in Charlotte, North Carolina and Sunday's stop in Raleigh. The Outlaw Music The festival — co-headlined by Bob Dylan, who performed his own stunning set on Friday night — will then continue, hopefully with Willie back, on June 26 in Virginia Beach. The tour will also coincide with Nelson's annual Fourth of July picnic, this year in Philadelphia with Dylan and Maren Morris.
The Outlaw Music festival features Willie Nelson and Dylan for the entire trek, which ends on September 20. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss and Celisse are also on the line-up for the first half of the tour, with John Mellencamp joining the second half ; Brittney Spencer and Southern Avenue will also be off in the second half. Additionally, Billy Strings is signed to the Outlaw Music festival stop on August 10th at the Gorge Amphitheater in George, Washington.
from our partners at https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/willie-nelson-outlaw-music-festival-illness-1235045107/