WILLIE NELSON

Lionel Richie will be honored all night long for his musical achievements.

County music legend Willie Nelson is making his way around Texas next year and he has not one, but two performances in San Antonio.

The King of Country, George Strait, will perform at the grand opening of the Moody Center in Austin in April 2022.

This week’s new entertainment releases include a Sturgill Simpson's concept album called “The Ballad of Dood & Juanita” and TikTok star Addison Rae making her acting debut in a gender-flipped remake of the 1999 Freddie Prinze Jr and Rachael Leigh Cook teen comedy “She’s All That.”.

A number of the top issues facing the country — mask mandates, voting, immigration — have something in common: Texas.

She now runs her family business, but Joella Gammage Torres of Texas Hatters still enjoys the craft she learned as a teen.

Joella Gammage Torres uses the same tools as her grandfather and father at the celebrated hat shop in Lockhart.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Country music legend Willie Nelson led more than a thousand spectators in singing "vote them out" Saturday from the steps of the Texas Capitol during a rally wrapping up a four-day march in support of Democratic state legislators who bolted for Washington two weeks ago to block GOP-backed voting restrictions.

This week’s new entertainment releases include a new collection of previously unreleased songs from Barbra Streisand and the new Netflix animated movie, “Vivo,” in which Lin-Manuel Miranda is a voice actor and provides original songs.

Country music legend Willie Nelson led more than a thousand spectators in singing “vote...

Nelson helped close out the rally with a short set, which included the 88-year-old's 2018 song, "Vote 'Em Out."

Hundreds of people packed the steps of the Texas Capitol at a protest rally to make the end of a four-day march in support of voting rights.

Country music legend Willie Nelson led more than a thousand spectators in singing “vote them out” Saturday from the steps of the Texas Capitol during a rally wrapping up a four-day march in support of Democratic state legislators who bolted for Washington two weeks ago to block GOP-backed voting restrictions. Families with lawn chairs spread out across the sprawling Capitol greens in Austin. Clergy, politicians, constituents and musicians all spoke out about the proposals to impose voter ID requirements, limit ballot drop boxes and mail voting, and strip local officials of their election authority.

The Red Headed Stranger is serious about voting rights.

British rock band Coldplay are headed out of this world with a new cosmic-themed album called “Music of The Spheres,” scheduled to drop on Oct. 15.

WASHINGTON – With financial help from the likes of Willie Nelson and Beto O'Rourke, and moral support from the White House, Democrats from the Texas Legislature spent their second full day on the lam pleading for congressional help on voting rights.

From mud bogging to fireworks, get into the spirit of Independence Day with these in-person festivities across Texas

Co-author and longtime friend Turk Pipkin reveals the genesis of "Willie Nelson’s Letters to America"

This week’s new entertainment releases include the much-anticipated debut of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights,” a sweaty, vibrant musical about a close-knit Washington Heights neighborhood.

San Antonio singer-guitarist George Chambers played his first gig at Floore’s Country Store in 1952 and hasn’t stopped since. “I’ve been doing this since I...

Crow talks about one of the most iconic songs ever written, her collaborations with Willie, and that time Nelson tried to pass a joint to her dad backstage.

The pandemic can’t stop Ziggy Marley from celebrating the Earth.

During a Zoom interview from his home in Maui recently, Willie Nelson discussed his life off the road for the past year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Houston hosts 14 games in April -- Oakland and Detroit visit for three each, the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle play four times. ___The Charlotte Hornets will allow approximately 5,000 fans to attend NBA home games beginning March 26 against Miami, or about 25% percent of the Spectrum Center’s seating capacity. That’s a 10% increase from the 3,000 fans that were allowed to attend home games beginning March 13. ___The Preakness will be run in front of a limited capacity of 10,000 fans at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on May 15. AdSince the pandemic was declared in March 2020, the Ad Council has mobilized the industry to launch a multi-pronged communications effort to combat COVID-19.

There’s always incentive for musicians to sell a lot of albums, but there was a whole new level of motivation for Willie Nelson to do so back in 1992. So the IRS struck a deal with Nelson and allowed him to record an album with the specific purpose of paying off his debt. Nelson then recorded the album, “The IRS Tapes: Who’ll Buy My Memories,” a compilation of his past hits. The original arrangement by the IRS was for Nelson to sell four million copies of the album to pay off his debt, but only $3.6 million total was raised from the album. Ultimately, Nelson paid off the remaining $9 million he owed and his debt was satisfied.

This combination photo shows promotional art for Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry, a documentary debuting Friday on Apple TV+, from left, The United States vs. Billie Holiday," premiering Friday on Hulu and Superman & Lois," a new series premiering Tuesday on The CW. (AppleTV+/Hulu/The CW via AP)Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. Ad— Based on Johann Hari’s 2015 book, “Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs,” Lee Daniels' “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” chronicles the legendary jazz singer's addiction and activism. Andra Day, who's nominated for a Golden Globe, plays Holiday in the biopic, which premieres Friday on Hulu. ET at the Amazon Music Twitch channel and will feature music from the group’s new album, “Life Rolls On,” released on Feb. 12.

SAN ANTONIO – From the courtroom to Willie Nelson’s tour bus, for almost five decades Paul Venema has been capturing KSAT viewers with his stories. “I fell in love with the legal system and that’s what I enjoy most,” Venema said. Willie Nelson and KSAT Reporter Paul VenemaWhile viewers will miss seeing him on-air, his KSAT colleagues will miss him, too. KSAT viewers have witnessed his professionalism and journalistic excellence, but I also appreciate his friendship. Paul Venema, Isis Romero and Steve Spriester (KSAT)“In a world where it’s all about relationships, Paul has been able to develop great relationships inside the station and across the community.

And he did it by winning over millions of country music fans. Until the early 1990s, when Cleve Francis came along, Pride was the only Black country singer signed to a major label. “Then it was ‘first Negro country singer;’ then ‘first Black country singer.’ Now I’m the `first African-American country singer.′ That’s about the only thing that’s changed. Throughout his career, he sang positive songs instead of sad ones often associated with country music. Even a country singer,” said country singer Rissi Palmer on Twitter.

FILE - Artist Billy Joe Shaver poses backstage following his concert "Billy Joe Shaver presented by WMOT/Roots Radio" at City Winery Nashville in Nashville, Tenn. on April 1, 2017. (Photo by Laura Roberts/Invision/AP, File)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Outlaw country singer songwriter Billy Joe Shaver, who wrote songs like “Honky Tonk Heroes,” “I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train” and “Old Five and Dimers Like Me,” has died He was 81. His big break came when Jennings recorded several of Shaver's songs for his 1973 album “Honky Tonk Heroes," which helped popularize the outlaw country genre and turn the maverick country artists into legends. "There weren’t another other way to be/For lovable losers, no account boozers/And honky tonk heroes like me," Shaver wrote in the title track. Shaver wrote songs that were covered by Elvis Presley, Patty Loveless, George Jones, Tex Ritter, Tennessee Ernie Ford and John Anderson.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Trailblazing country music star Charley Pride will get a lifetime achievement award at the CMA Awards in November. 1 hits between the 1960s and 1980s, with songs like “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'” and “Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone.”Pride, 82, will accept the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award on the CMA Awards on Nov. 11 on ABC. Pride was named CMA Entertainer of the year in 1971 and won male artist of the year in 1971 and 1972. He has three Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000. Other recipients of the award include Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Kris Kristofferson.

SAN ANTONIO – This year, you don’t have to haul it from stage to stage to avoid missing a performer at Austin City Limits. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, ACL will be virtual and free this weekend, with performances from years past. The star-studded lineup includes Khalid, Willie Nelson, Twenty One Pilots, Billie Eilish, St. Vincent, Paul McCartney and The XX throughout three days. Performances will start at 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the last performer set to begin between 11:15 p.m. and 12:10 a.m.ACL Fest 2020 starts tomorrow! In September, organizers promised a virtual weekend festival in lieu of in-person performances.

SAN ANTONIO – This year, Willie Nelson fans in San Antonio will have to go no further than their living room to attend the country music legend’s 35th annual Farm Aid Concert. The show will be entirely virtual and available on Farm Aid’s YouTube channel and multiple other platforms. You can watch the live event in the video below:The goal is to raise money for American farmers and to raise awareness of their plight. In addition to the performers, the show will showcase stories from farmers from across the country. Farm Aid has raised over $60 million to support programs that help farmers thrive.

FILE - In this May 3, 2018 file photo, Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals performs at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans. Hibbert, frontman of Toots & the Maytals, had been in a medically-induced coma at a hospital in Kingston since earlier this month. Grammy nominations for Hibbert included best reggae album of 2012 for “Reggae Got Soul” and best reggae album of 2007 for “Light Your Light.” Hibbert was ranked No. Married to his wife, Doreen, for nearly 40 years, Hibbert had eight children, including the reggae performers Junior Hibbert and Leba Hibbert. Frederick Nathaniel Hibbert ("Toots" was a childhood nickname) was born in May Pen, Parish of Clarendon.

SPICEWOOD, Texas Willie Nelsons annual Fourth of July Picnic is going ahead this year, but to reduce concerns about the coronavirus the event will be virtual. Other performers expected to play include Sheryl Crow, Ziggy Marley, Steve Earle and Nelsons fellow Texas-based singers Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen and Kinky Friedman. Some of the artists will perform at Nelsons Luck Ranch in Spicewood, northwest of Austin. Nelsons event started in 1972 and has been held most years since, moving around Texas and occasionally outside the Lone Star State. First Rose of Spring features two new tunes plus Nelsons take on songs by Toby Keith and Chris Stapleton.

This cover image released by Legacy Recordings shows "First Rose of Spring," the latest album by WIllie Nelson, available on July 3. The PG-13 film was shot in summer 2016 over two Hamilton performances with the original cast, and it comes complete with an intermission. The legend Willie Nelson will release his 70th studio album, First Rose of Spring, on Friday. AP Music Editor Mesfin FekaduTELEVISIONAlicia Keys hosts Kids, Race and Unity, a Nick News special aimed at helping children understand the crisis facing America. The special debuts 7 p.m. EDT Monday on Nickelodeon, TeenNick, and Nicktoons and online on sites including Nickelodeon YouTube.

SAN ANTONIO Willie Nelson and Robert Earl Keen are taking part in former Vice President Joe Bidens virtual fundraiser event on Monday. Other special guests include Julin Castro, Beto ORourke, and Cecile Richards, the daughter of former Texas Governor Anne Richards. Texas artists will be in Rangers lot for drive-in concertsThe event with Biden will begin at 4:15 p.m. and tickets range from $250 to $100,000. Recently, Nelson has moved some of his upcoming shows to virtual events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The upcoming Willie Nelsons 4th of July Picnic will move online.

click to enlarge Facebook / Willie NelsonJust call him Saint Willie.In addition to staging a free online festival last month to watch in quarantine followed by a 4/20 "Come and Take It" livestreamed variety show yesterday Texas music legend Willie Nelson has released an online video urging fans to help out the state's food banks during the pandemic. "First of all, I hope all of you are staying safe," the 86-year-old singer says to the camera while flanked by sons Micah and Lukas Nelson. "As photos of vehicles lined up at the San Antonio Food Bank flash onscreen, the singer's two sons explain the growing crisis of food insecurity. "If you're in a position to help your community and Texas, food banks need you now more than ever," Micah says. "Demand for food has skyrocketed, and there are no longer enough volunteers to get the food to people who need it.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank got a welcome assist from country music icon Willie Nelson and his sons recently. A Public Service Announcement from Nelson began with him addressing his fans. “I hope all of you are safe and if you’re in a high-risk group, please don’t take any chances,” Nelson said. “Your community and Texas food banks need you now more than ever before” Nelson’s son Micah said. “Demand for food has skyrocketed and there are no longer enough volunteers.”San Antonio Food Bank holds mega distribution at AlamodomeLukas Nelson and his band, The Promise of the Real, have also temporally stopped touring.

Willie Nelson is doing what he does best on 4/20 by taking part in the “Come and Toke It” variety show Monday. The show, which will be livestreamed, will celebrate cannabis in an entertaining and educational environment, according to the Luck Reunion website. WATCH: Willie Nelson cries on stage during Houston Rodeo performanceThe show will start at 4:20 p.m. and last for 4 hours and 20 minutes. Along with the show, Willie Nelson has started the “Come and Toke It Pass Left Challenge.”The challenge encourages others to create videos passing “whatever toking material of your choice” to the left. Back in November, Nelson told KSAT’s Paul Venema that he was no longer smoking marijuana due to breathing issues, but hasn’t stopped using cannabis.

Trust Willie Nelson to help us make it through tough times.The legendary Lone Star State musician was planning to hold his annual Luck Reunion "anti-festival" this week at his ranch in Luck, Texas. It's streamable via the Luck Reunion website and Facebook page , along with Twitch.TVWere keeping you informed...and its what we love to do. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. Its never been more important to support local news sources. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current.

HOUSTON – Closing out night two of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Willie Nelson delivered an outstanding performance in front of more than 70,000 fans on Armed Forces Appreciation Day. I can’t believe I just saw Dr. James Allison play on stage with Willie Nelson!! Total surprise pic.twitter.com/ZBJ4aIJgBe — Luis Valencia (@Luis_E_Valencia) March 5, 2020The singer was also joined on stage by his son Lukas Nelson. 1) Tonight, I watched Willie Nelson perform at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Willie Nelson the GOAT!🐐 pic.twitter.com/briI2c498Q — Noah Outlaw (@OutlawNoah) March 5, 2020Willie Nelson shed a tear after singing “Always On My Mind” at the Houston Rodeo.

Two years earlier, the Internal Revenue Service seized Nelson’s assets after claiming he owed $16 million, a result of Nelson and his accountants going years without paying taxes. So the IRS struck a deal with Nelson and allowed him to record an album with the specific purpose of paying off his debt. Nelson then recorded the album, “The IRS Tapes: Who’ll Buy My Memories,” a compilation of his past hits. The original arrangement by the IRS was for Nelson to sell four million copies of the album to pay off his debt, but only $3.6 million total was raised from the album. Ultimately, Nelson paid off the remaining $9 million he owed and his debt was satisfied.

In this Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019 photo, a hay bale sculpture called Will-Hay Nelson stands in a field on Tolers Ferry Road in Huddleston, Va. (Emily Elconin/The News & Advance via AP)HUDDLESTON, VA – Country singer Willie Nelson frequently sings about traveling and seeing things he may never see again. Chances are he had never before encountered a 15-foot-tall hay sculpture of himself — guitar and iconic pigtail braids included — like the one a Virginia woman recently created. Huddleston native Beth Bays has been making giant hay bale sculptures for the last eight years. But her latest work, “Will-Hay Nelson," really struck a chord in the community upon its debut in November, Bays told news outlets. Seems like the hay sculpture may always be on his mind.

SAN ANTONIO, TX – Willie Nelson may have given up smoking, but he hasn't stopped using marijuana. While in San Antonio last week for two performances, the 86-year-old country music legend told KSAT TV that in an effort to take better care of himself, he no longer smokes. “That said," she said “Willie does what he wants, when he wants, when it comes to smoking." One thing though Nelson won't be giving up is touring. “This is my home."

SAN ANTONIO – Midway through a sold out two night stand at the Majestic Theater here, country music icon Willie Nelson said that in spite of recent breathing related health issues, he has no plans to give up touring. “I love the bus,” he told KSAT TV’s Paul Venema during a recent interview. “I don’t smoke anymore - take better care of myself,” Nelson said. His health issues have generated rumors suggesting that he is near death. “I don’t give a (expletive deleted) I’m here, I’m glad to be here,” and with a smile added “I’m lucky to be here.”

Here's a look at the life of Grammy Award-winning musician Willie Nelson. 1975 - Wins a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, for "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain." 1978 - Wins a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, for "Georgia On My Mind." 1991 - Nelson releases the album, "The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?" February 12, 2017 - Wins a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, for "Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin."

Willie Nelson really doesnt need much of an introduction.As a pioneer of outlaw country, 86-year-old Nelson is a living legend and one of the Lone Star States most revered singer-songwriters. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. Its never been more important to support local news sources. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current. Every reader contribution is valuable and so appreciated, and goes directly to support our coverage of critical issues and neighborhood culture.

Were a month and a half away from finishing the shitstorm that was the 2010s. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. Its never been more important to support local news sources. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current. Every reader contribution is valuable and so appreciated, and goes directly to support our coverage of critical issues and neighborhood culture.

SAN ANTONIO - Texas country music icon Willie Nelson is returning to San Antonio and will be playing at the Majestic Theatre on Nov. 25 and 26. Tickets for the show go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at the Majestic Theatre Box Office, online at ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 800-982-2787. Willie Nelson releases new music video dedicated to his rescue horsesNelson's impressive career spans six decades with more than 200 albums, according to a press release. He is an author, actor and activist in addition to being a well-known country music star. Thats what keeps me goin," Nelson told KSAT 12's Paul Venema in August.

click to enlarge Faceook / Willie NelsonWhat more can be said about Willie Nelson that we dont already know?The guy's a legend not just for his iconic outlaw country sound but for being one of the nation's most outspoken cannabis supporters for decades. And he also just seems like a nice dude, ya know?The Highwayman singer and Family will be returning to the Alamo City on November 25 and 26 for back-to-back shows at the Majestic Theatre.Releasing 200 albums across six decades and winning almost any award a musician can win, Nelson is the kind of living legend that you have to see at least once if not every time he swings through.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Ken Burns, the renowned documentarian known for bringing American history to vivid life, debuts his latest effort on Sunday, "Country Music." "We say about country music, 'Oh, it's about pickup trucks and good ole boys and hound dogs and six packs of beer.' "We tend to think of country music as one thing, but it's always been many things," says Burns. In Burns' view, the genre has also minted some of the finest songwriters in popular music, country or otherwise. That's country music."

KSAT's Paul Venema and music legend Willie Nelson have been close friends for over 40 years. Copyright 2019 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

LEXINGTON, KY - The world's largest sale of thoroughbred racing prospects is expected to kick off again Monday at Keeneland's September Yearling Sale. This year marks the 76th year the sale will take place with 4,644 yearlings expected to be sold through Sept. 22 when the sale ends. A yearling is a young horse, between 1 and 2 years old. Willie Nelson releases new music video dedicated to his rescue horsesThe 2018 sale saw a record-breaking $375 million in yearlings sold in 12 days. pic.twitter.com/sQ57I3F5Mu Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) September 5, 2019"Half-siblings to stakes winners Ms Bad Behavior, Cambria and Five Star General consigned to Keeneland September Sale," according to the press release.

BRIARCLIFF, Texas – Country music legend Willie Nelson will be back on tour in September following the cancellation of several shows in August. "A lot of shows in a row and I’d been stuck on that bus,” Nelson told KSAT’s Paul Venema. Asked if he had seen a doctor, Nelson chuckled and said, "Went to one yesterday and he said, ‘Don’t make any long-range plans.'' Seriously, he said, the checkup went well and, except for chronic breathing problems that he’s had for decades, he is in good shape. Nelson turned 86 in April.

BRIARCLIFF, Texas - Country music legend Willie Nelson will be back on tour in September following the cancellation of several shows in August. "A lot of shows in a row and Id been stuck on that bus, Nelson told KSATs Paul Venema. Asked if he had seen a doctor, Nelson chuckled and said, "Went to one yesterday and he said, Dont make any long-range plans.'' Seriously, he said, the checkup went well and, except for chronic breathing problems that hes had for decades, he is in good shape. Nelson turned 86 in April.

Willie Nelson talks to KSAT's Paul Venema about going back on the road. Copyright 2019 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Blackbird(CNN) - After canceling upcoming concerts over a health issue, Willie Nelson now plans to resume his tour. The country star had announced on Wednesday that he needed to cancel his tour, citing a breathing problem. "I'm sorry to cancel my tour, but I have a breathing problem that I need to have my doctor check out. I'll be back," Nelson wrote in a tweet. In 2018, Nelson canceled a performance at the Outlaw Music Festival, then pulled some shows from his tour.

Willie Nelson is putting his health first. Love, Willie, he wrote. Its unclear whether all of Nelsons remaining 30 tour dates are officially canceled or just those in the foreseeable future. This isnt the first time Nelson has struggled with breathing problems. RELATED CONTENT:Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson and More Country Stars to Honor Dolly PartonJessica Simpson Gives First Performance in Nine Years to Duet With Willie NelsonWillie Nelson Abruptly Ends Show Due to Breathing Problems

EAST TROY, Wis. - Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews will headline Farm Aid 2019 when the music and food festival visits Wisconsins struggling dairy country in September. Farm Aid said in Tuesdays announcement that the U.S. farming economy this year resembles how things were when Nelson founded Farm Aid in 1985. Farm Aid spokeswoman Jennifer Fahey told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the choice of Wisconsin was partly a response to the states dairy crisis. The state lost almost 700 dairy farms last year and more than 300 so far this year. Farm Aid has raised $57 million to support family farms since 1985.

SAN ANTONIO – As his 85th birthday approached, Willie Nelson was asked whether he had big plans for the day. The consummate entertainer, Nelson scoffed at the idea of slowing down. RELATED: Willie Nelson talks about music, pot, politicsRELATED: 'Still Not Dead': Willie Nelson battling flu; illness forces cancellation of several concertsHis latest, titled “Last Man Standing”, is an indirect reference to his age, and it acknowledges the passing of his friends, music legends Merle Haggard and Ray Price. Nelson says Sinatra is his favorite male singer. When he is not in the studio or on the road, Nelson spends time at his home in Maui.

The Library of Congress says it will award country singer Willie Nelson with the "Gershwin Prize For Popular Song." CBSN's Jeff Glor has more on the historic accolade.

The singer and songwriter has always been a musical outlaw. He was inspired by blues, jazz, gospel, honky tonk and the '60s hippy movement, and he created a sound all of his own and revolutionized country music. Willie joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss his new memoir, "It's a Long Story."