Willie Nelson

In 1973, Willie Nelson held his first 4th of July picnic. There were some problems. The locals said it was "moral pollution" and Nelson was fined $1,000 for violating the Texas Mass Gatherings Act. But that didn’t stop Willie from doing it again and again. Dave Dalton Thomas is the picnic historian and has written a book about this Texas tradition.

This year’s picnic will be held in New Jersey and will include guests like Bob Dylan.

Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss headline the 2024 Outlaw Music Festival, with appearances by Billy Strings, Celisse, Southern Avenue and Brittney Spencer.

17,000 fans turned up to the Hollywood Bowl for a concert by Willie Nelson and his famous friends. Owen Wilson, Helen Mirren, Ethan Hawke and Jennifer Garner all did the introductions.

We asked for your favorite memories of Willie through the years as we celebrate his 90th birthday Saturday. As one of you perhaps put it best, "Even in a time of overuse of this word, he is truly an icon."

Looking for ways to celebrate Willie on his milestone birthday this weekend? Attend a special tribute concert, listen to wall-to-wall Willie on KUTX and take a selfie with his statue downtown.

An extraordinary musician, a renowned songwriter, an icon. What’s left to be said about Willie Nelson that hasn’t already been said?

Legendary country music figure Johnny Bush died on Friday. He was known widely for writing the song "Whiskey River," made popular by Willie Nelson.

NPR's Scott Simon talks with Willie Nelson about the release of his latest album, First Rose of Spring, and about how he's faring during the pandemic.