Fans Get Emotional As Willie Nelson Goes Back On Stage

Willie Nelson made a triumphant return to the stage last night, receiving an emotional welcome from his fans. The 91-year-old music legend had missed the first eight shows of the Outlaw Music Festival tour, which began on June 21. The festival features an impressive lineup including Bob Dylan, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, John Mellencamp, and others, with Nelson and his family as headliners.

Nelson had announced last week that he’d been cleared by doctors to perform again, though he had to skip the July 2 show. His return came on Thursday night at Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic in Camden, New Jersey. As shown in a crew-shot clip, the audience greeted him warmly and enthusiastically. Nelson delivered a 19-song set, which included the debut of “The Border,” the title track from his latest album.

In a Forbes interview last year, Nelson reflected on his remarkable career and longevity. When asked what his younger self would think of his enduring success, he responded modestly, “Well, honestly, I think about that a lot. A nightly thing, I just appreciate everything. I would say turning 90 is a surprise. It seems to surprise a lot of people if I made 90.” He attributed his long life to maintaining a positive attitude, saying, “Imagine what you want and just get out of the way.”

Nelson’s wit shone through when discussing his reputation as a cannabis enthusiast. When told he topped many people’s lists of who they’d like to smoke pot with and asked if he had his own list, he simply replied, “I think if you got one, let’s burn it.”

The Outlaw Music Fest continues this Saturday in Bethel, New York, and will wrap up on September 20 in Gilford, New Hampshire. Nelson’s return is a testament to his resilience and enduring appeal, continuing to captivate audiences with his music and presence well into his 10th decade.

Here’s Willie Nelson’s July 4th Set List in Camden, New Jersey:
1. “Whiskey River”
2. “Stay All Night”
3. “Bloody Mary Morning”
4. “I Never Cared for You”
5. “Texas Flood”
6. “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys”
7. “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground”
8. “On the Road Again”
9. “Always On My Mind”
10. “Just Breathe”
11. “Good Hearted Woman”
12. “Georgia (on My Mind)”
13. “I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train”
14. “Help Me Make It Through the Night”
15. “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die”
16. “Still Not Dead”
17. “The Border”
18. “Write Your Own Songs”
19. “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?”