Willie Nelson turned 90 years old a couple of years ago, and the celebration at the Hollywood Bowl might have seemed to some like a farewell party. However, at 92, Nelson continues to pursue his passion for music more vigorously than ever. Retirement, for him, wouldn’t mean abandoning his love for making music alongside his friends, even though he’s outlived many of them.
Willie is hitting the road again with Bob Dylan as the second leg of the 10th Annual Outlaw Music Festival kicks off on June 20 in Clarkston, Michigan. When asked if he would like his life story to be portrayed on the big screen, similar to Dylan’s film “A Complete Unknown,” Nelson said, “I’ve heard some talk about it. But I’m not through with it yet.”
Speaking from Oahu, Hawaii, Nelson voiced his admiration for his friend Dylan, saying, “Bob’s a good friend. And I’ll be glad to let him headline.” The tour is just one slice of Nelson’s busy year, which will culminate with the 40th anniversary of Farm Aid in September. This spring, he released his 77th studio album and launched Willie’s Remedy+, a new THC tonic to expand his cannabis product line.
In a spirit consistent with his longstanding appreciation for his friends’ work, Nelson released an album spotlighting the songs of his friend Rodney Crowell, “Oh What a Beautiful World.” This project echoes his 1979 album, “Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson,” dedicated to Kris Kristofferson’s music. Nelson has often performed Crowell’s song “Til I Gain Control Again,” describing it as “one of the best country songs that I think I’ve ever heard.”
Nelson marked the 50th anniversary of “Red Headed Stranger,” recognized by many as his masterpiece that propelled him from respected artist to adored superstar at age 42. He revealed that he’s already begun working on his next, the 78th album, but chose not to divulge details about its direction.
During his touring, the classic lineup of Willie’s Family band continues to evolve. Currently, the only original Family member left is Mickey Raphael, whose harmonica has serenaded alongside Nelson’s vocals for countless years. Sadly, some key band members have passed in recent years, including bassist Bee Spears, guitarist and singer Jody Payne, drummer Paul English, and his sister Bobbie Nelson, who was also his pianist.
However, the spirit of family in his music endures as his band now includes new family members, such as his sons Lukas and Micah. Billy English, Paul English’s brother, plays the drums, while the guitarist role belongs to Waylon Payne, the son of Jody Payne and singer Sammi Smith. Together, they support Nelson in his spontaneous style on stage—he does not believe in using set lists, instead opting to read the audience and improvise song selections.
Dedicated fans attending his concerts are treated to a mix of his classics, like “Whiskey River” and “Bloody Mary Morning,” alongside newer selections like Tom Waits’ “Last Leaf.” This song resonates with Nelson’s spirit as a survivor, with its lyrics fitting his journey as the “last leaf on the tree.”
His son, Micah, who performs as Particle Kid, frequently contributes to the set with original songs. One of these, “Everything Is B——t,” is regularly played alongside gospel classics such as “I’ll Fly Away” and “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.” Nelson humorously insists, “It’s all gospel.”
The upcoming 40th anniversary of Farm Aid in September highlights Nelson’s commitment to supporting family farmers alongside Neil Young and John Mellencamp. This annual event, initially inspired by concerts like “Live Aid,” has evolved into a staple that shifts location every year to a new farm-adjacent city, with Minneapolis hosting this year. When asked about his favorites among the past events, Nelson couldn’t choose, saying, “They’ve all been good, for different reasons. The first one was great, the last one was great.”
This article initially appeared on June 12, 2025, and was amended on June 18, 2025, to correct Micah Nelson’s stage name to Particle Kid from Particle Boy.