'Doctors Orders' — Willie Nelson Cancels Some Performances for Outlaw Music Festival Tour

Country music icon Willie Nelson is a national treasure who must be protected at all costs.

After more than six decades in the music industry, the 91-year-old star is still shining, proving age is just a number. But as Willie gets up in age, fans have continuously grown concerned about his well-being, especially since he's missed a few performances for the Outlaw Music Festival tour, with shows scheduled to run between June and September 2024.

On June 21, 2024, a statement was released to Willie's X stating, "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." A subsequent update came on June 26, 2024. So, what's going on with Willie and is he OK?

As of this writing, Willie doesn't seem to be well. In a statement released on his X account on June 21, 2024, it was noted that Willie "is not feeling well" and had been advised by his doctors to sit out for his scheduled performance. The message adds, "he has been advised to rest for the next four days," but offers a silver lining, stating, "he is expected to make a quick recovery and join the Outlaw Music Festival tour next week."

It continues, "in the meantime, Lukas Nelson and the Family Band, along with a a few guests, will perform a special set to include Willie's classics and other songs."

Unlike when fans became upset after country singer Morgan Wallen abruptly canceled his concert minutes before he was scheduled to take the stage in 2023, Willie's fans are more understanding, given his age of 91.

One fan wrote, "I sincerely hope he feels better soon. The show doesn't matter nearly as much as his health." Another commented, "get well soon Willie." However, some expressed concern, noting, "this is not good. This is the second time in very recent days that he’s not been able to perform."

One fan wrote, "I sincerely hope he feels better soon. The show doesn't matter nearly as much as his health." Another commented, "get well soon Willie." However, some expressed concern, noting, "this is not good. This is the second time in very recent days that he’s not been able to perform."

As of now, it's unclear what is keeping Willie away from the stage, whether it's due to being under the weather or a more serious health-related issue.

Although Willie managed to avoid catching the coronavirus for two years, bad luck finally caught up with him in summer of 2022. His wife, Annie D’Angelo, told the New York Times that she and her husband were on tour when his health took a turn for the worse.

According to her, they were stopped in Nashville, Tenn., when Willie tested positive for COVID-19. With this, he was forced to cancel and postpone a number of shows on his tour.

“There were a couple of times when I wasn’t sure he was going to make it. I had a pretty rough time with it. COVID ain’t nothing to be laughing at, that’s for sure,” Annie told the outlet.

Following his recovery, Willie got right back out on stage — but not without his wife putting a few precautions in place first. Along with a mask mandate, everyone (including his bandmates) were required to stay six feet away from the singer on stage.

“If I have to be the bad guy to keep him safe, I’ll be the bad guy. A virus doesn’t care who you are, what you believe, how famous you are,” the singer’s wife of more than 20 years added.

Thankfully, he made a full recovery from COVID. Fans are now hoping for similar positive news following the recent tour date cancellations.