By Joel Langton
LoneStar Sounds
Ever heard the saying, “We slow down as we get older?”
Willie Nelson didn’t.
At 90-plus, Willie Nelson is once again proving he’s wired differently, announcing a seven-date tour while also preparing to release his latest album, Oh What a Beautiful World, on April 25.
The short run of shows keeps Nelson on the road, where he’s spent most of the last seven decades.
The biggest nod to age is on the short run, he’s doing five dates over 8 days.
The tour includes stops April 22 in Birmingham, Alabama; April 23 in Atlanta, Georgia; April 25 in Asheville, North Carolina; April 27 in Cary, North Carolina and a April 28 date in Wilmington, North Carolina to cap off the initial run. Then, he’ll have two Texas shows in July; July 2 in New Braunfels, Texas and of course, the candle on the cake will be the July 4 celebration in Austin.
Most dates feature support from Drayton Farley. Rising singer-songwriter Farley will join Nelson bringing his raw, storytelling-driven style that has quickly earned a growing following in the Americana and Red Dirt scene.
The new album adds another entry to a catalog that already includes more than 70 solo studio albums and roughly 150 total releases, reinforcing a career built not just on longevity, but on consistency.
As a person who is dealing with aging more than I’d like, the new Dream Chaser brings a smile.
Time just seems to vanish
Right before my eyes
You may not understand it
Why we live with the sacrifice
But it’s worth every mile
To get to sing for a while
While others fade out, Nelson keeps showing up — in the studio, on stage and anywhere else the music takes him.
