Willie Nelson & Alison Krauss Headline Landmark Tour
Nothing gets my motor running more than established talent giving worthy up-and-comers a hand up, and rising stars helping to introduce legendary talent to a new generation of fans. This is the way country music is supposed to be—spanning generations and cross-pollinating fans bases to create a healthy environment of support. And an upcoming, nationwide, early summer tour is scheduled to do that very thing.
Willie Nelson and his legendary Family Band, Alison Krauss with her legendary Union Station band including Jerry Douglas, are scheduled to embark on a 35-date tour running from May 1st to July 18th, supported at various whistle stops by the critically-acclaimed Jason Isbell, the recently Grammy-decorated Kacey Musgraves, and country punk pioneers Devil Makes Three. This will be a lineup not to miss….unless you’re in Texas or California.
May 1 Murray, KY CFSB Center/Murray State University*
May 2 Atlanta, GA Chastain Park Amphitheatre *
May 3 Knoxville, TN Thompson Boling Arena*
May 4 Cary, NC Koka Booth Amphitheatre*
May 6 St. Augustine, FL St. Augustine Amphitheatre*
May 8 Daniel Island, SC Family Circle Cup Stadium*
May 9 Simpsonville, SC Charter Amphitheatre*
May 10 Greensboro, NC White Oak Amphitheatre*
May 11 Huntington, WV Big Sandy Superstar Arena*
May 13 Roanoke, VA Roanoke Civic Center*
May 14 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center*
May 16 Nashville, TN The Woods at Fontanel*
May 17 Birmingham, AL BJCC*
May 18 Augusta, GA James Brown Arena*
June 5 Southaven, MS Snowden Grove Amphitheater #
June 6 Louisville, KY Waterfront Park+
June 7 Lewiston, NY Artpark #
June 8 Bethel, NY Bethel Woods Center For the Arts #
June 10 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall #
June 13 Philadelphia, PA Mann Center #
June 14 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
June 15 Simsbury, CT Simsbury Meadows #
June 17 Boston, MA Blue Hills Bank Pavilion #
June 19 Bangor, ME Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion #
June 20 Gilford, NH Bank of NH Pavillion at Meadowbrook #
June 21 Canandaigua, NY CMAC Performing Arts Center #
July 6 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre ~
July 7 Rogers, AR Arkansas Music Pavilion ~
July 9 Oklahoma City, OK Zoo Amphitheatre ~
July 11 Council Bluffs, IA Harrah’s Stir Cove~
July 12 Chicago, IL Ravinia Festival~
July 13 Detroit, MI Freedom Hill~
July 15 Rama, ON Casino Rama
July 17 Interlochen, MI Kresge Auditorium~
July 18 Toledo, OH Toledo Zoo
*The Devil Makes Three
# Kacey Musgraves
~ Jason Isbell
+ The Wild Feathers
Casey
February 14, 2014 @ 12:44 pm
I am so excited for this tour!! AKUS and Kacey will be coming to Radio City Music Hall in June and I will be first in line! So thrilled for this. Just wish Willie was part of it as well but I’ll take it.
Another big treat…next week Marty Stuart and Connie Smith will be here performing in The Allen Room at Lincoln Center. Can’t think of a better birthday gift!
casey
February 14, 2014 @ 3:27 pm
Duh, Willie is on the bill…..Now I can check another one off my bucket list. Can’t believe I had to wait this long to do it.
Judd
February 14, 2014 @ 12:47 pm
I plan on going to the one down here on daniel island (Charelston ) Do you know when tickets will go on sale?
Trigger
February 14, 2014 @ 12:54 pm
Not seeing any specific info on that. It is being done through Concord Music, not Live Nation or anything like that so it will probably be on a local basis. I would check with your local venue.
Dave D.
February 14, 2014 @ 1:02 pm
I suggest you go to alisonkrauss.com. The home page has a form that allows you to “Sign up for the latest tour updates including presale and on sale information”.
I’m definitely catching the show in Detroit that will have Jason Isbell, and may also hot Toledo the following week for Willie and AKUS.
Tres Passing
February 14, 2014 @ 2:59 pm
Been looking for sale date since I heard about this show last week but can’t find anything…if I do I’ll keep you posted! Didn’t know anyone else in Charleston read this site…haha!
judd
February 15, 2014 @ 5:30 am
I’ll comment back if I find out the date. I live over in west ash.
I found this site I guess close to a year ago but ever since about august, been a daily reader.
judd
February 26, 2014 @ 9:44 am
Presale on now. General sale friday
Michael
February 14, 2014 @ 12:58 pm
I plan on going to see the Willie/Allison/Kacey trio in Canandaigua.
Toby in AK
February 14, 2014 @ 1:02 pm
sad to see they won’t be hitting the northwest
BwareDWare94
February 14, 2014 @ 1:18 pm
So I’m stuck up here in North Dakota and these fuckers can’t even swing through Minneapolis? Come the hell on.
Eric
February 14, 2014 @ 5:03 pm
You could try out the Council Bluffs, Iowa concert.
Lunchbox
February 14, 2014 @ 6:22 pm
you working the Bakken oil fields?
BwareDWare94
February 15, 2014 @ 2:49 am
Nah, I grew up on the Eastern side of the state so not even in oil country. Mostly ag country.
ryanat
February 14, 2014 @ 3:02 pm
Definitely planning on catching this when it comes through KC.
I’m still waiting to see Isbell play a full set though.
Last time he was in KC he was opening (!?!?!) for the Turnpike Troubadours.
I love me some Troubadours, but Isbell is flat-out amazing.
Hank
February 14, 2014 @ 3:09 pm
I’ll be getting tickets to the Philly show. I wish Isbell was with him the entire tour, but after seeing Isbell 3-4 times in the past year, I’m aware that he deserves to be headlining his own shows.
Jon D.
February 14, 2014 @ 4:18 pm
I work for the event center in Murray, KY where the tour is starting off. They still haven’t announced when tickets will be going on sale. I can’t decide if I would rather watch the show as a paying fan or take the opportunity to work a Willie Nelson concert.
Meaghan
February 14, 2014 @ 5:00 pm
I’m hoping to catch the Ravinia show if I can find a babysitter!
Rachel
February 14, 2014 @ 5:35 pm
That’s an intense schedule for anyone. May they have boundless energy for their schedule.
Happy Valentine’s Day
hoptowntiger94
February 14, 2014 @ 7:25 pm
Awesome tour! Willie is my favorite and any of those openers are worth the price of admission. But, I’ll have to sit this one out. I know Alison Krauss has more talent in her pinky finger than I do in my whole body, but twice now I’ve fallen asleep during a her concerts! The first time I thought it was an aberration – maybe too one many pre-concert cocktails. The second time I was sober and with people from work during her tour with Plant. We were three rows back and I’m snoring away. So out of respect, I don’t attend anymore Krauss shows. I’m not saying she’s boring, just very tranquil and peaceful – an angel serenading me.
Zack
February 14, 2014 @ 7:46 pm
That looks like an awesome tour. I really wish that there was a third artist coming to Merriweather though but Willie and Allison is still an awesome concert.
Phil
February 14, 2014 @ 9:10 pm
I’d complain about the lack of Texas dates but we’re pretty lucky in Texas and it’s probably better some other states are getting the love.
I could really ditch the rest of Texas and just be happy I live very close to Billy Bob’s. Everyone seems to go through Billy Bob’s (really looking forward to Dwight Yoakam and Jamey Johnson next month).
Blackwater
February 14, 2014 @ 9:38 pm
Alright, finally gonna see Willie in Kansas City on 7/6. Alison Krauss is about the only female country singer I can honestly say I like. And… well… here is Jason Isbell’s chance to get me on his bandwagon. He hasn’t sold me yet, although I’m the only one immune to his kool aid apparently. I am hopeful for the conversion though. Just haven’t figured out the love affair everyone seems to have with him.
scott
February 15, 2014 @ 9:17 am
I’m with you regarding Isbell, not getting it, either. Maybe after I see him at the July 11 show I’ll have a different perspective.
Mattwrotethis
February 14, 2014 @ 11:01 pm
Might have to drive my ass from central Texas to the Oklahoma or Arkansas shows, would love to see Jason Isbell, Allison Krauss, and Willie Nelson.
Really wish I wouldn’t have to travel so far.
Dana M
February 15, 2014 @ 12:26 am
No Canadian Dates? Now I wish I saw Alison Krauss when she was in town.
Strait Country 81
February 15, 2014 @ 12:58 am
I know what i’m doing on may 2nd.
N.Marie
February 15, 2014 @ 1:29 pm
I’m really upset about having to miss this concert, it would be amazing. Have fun, all of you who get to go.
CAH
February 15, 2014 @ 5:27 pm
Thanks for the schedule.
I will be sure to make the one in Knoxville on May 3.
This is exciting.
scottinnj
February 16, 2014 @ 7:37 am
Will try to catch the Radio City show, and look forward to seeing Kacey as well.
Speaking of Kacey glad to see that she will get some attention from the country crowd at these shows and will help to balance her appeal in addition to the Katy Perry tour she will be doing soon after these shows. But hats off to Willie and Alison Krauss, the two of them alone are a fantastic show, they didn’t really need to bring opening acts but all good for them. I’m especially excited they included DM3, Kacey and Jason have been getting the accolades but DM3 I’m sure could use the extra publicity (we need to get them on Colbert for the “Colbert Bump” – saw Lake Street Dive on Colbert this week, unfortunately with the ‘Colbert Bump’ many of their shows are now sold out, good for them not for me lol)
Flynn
February 16, 2014 @ 11:54 am
Definitely going to the Boston show
Leather Telecaster
February 16, 2014 @ 8:51 pm
I hope to attend the New York show.
Wanna Be Songsmith
February 17, 2014 @ 1:57 am
I have to be upfront and say I am not overly worried about country music. There are plenty of bands that should be thrown into the river but there are more that should be accepted. I noticed most people commenting on this article are going hell or high water, I am too. I have seen Willie and will again if he and I are still breathing come July 6th.
However, I believe if you look back to the 60s-70s you will find the tide of country music turning back then. That is the time country started the migration to pop. They were rooted in country but the ship took a hard left. Country began the creep into crossover music because listeners crossed over.
Anyone remember ‘Convoy’, ‘East Bound & Down’, ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’, ”˜Rhinestone Cowboy”™ and so many other crossover hits. Country, yes, creeping towards the line, yes. Jump to the 80s and the rocket ship took off. ‘Elvira’, ‘Islands in the Stream’ by Kenny Rogers and Dolly, all of the Alabama hits (40+ #1s) and finally Hank jr and ‘Young Country’. Young Country is what this is all about, “we know Van Halen we like ZZ Top we like country and rock.”.
I have to be upfront and say I am not overly worried about country music. There are plenty of bands that should be thrown into the river but there are more that should be accepted. I noticed most people commenting on this article are going to this show come hell or high water, I am too. Did you notice you are also supporting country punk pioneers Devil Makes Three? Are you going to write Willie and Alison about how they should not allow them on the same stage?
I believe if you look back to the 60s-80s you will find the tide of country music turned back then. That is the time country started the migration to pop. They were rooted in country but the ship took a hard left. Country began the creep into crossover music because the pop listeners crossed over.
Anyone remember ‘Convoy’, ‘East Bound & Down’, ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’, ”˜Rhinestone Cowboy”™ and so many other crossover hits. Country, yes, creeping towards the line, yes. Jump to the 80s and the rocket ship took off. ‘Elvira’, ‘Islands in the Stream’ by Kenny Rogers and Dolly, all of the Alabama hits (40+ #1s) and finally Hank jr and ‘Young Country’. Young Country is what this is all about, “we know Van Halen we like ZZ Top we like country and rock.”. Go watch the video again.
My point is that when you pull people, listeners, in their DNA mingles with yours. There is no way to keep it from happening. The list of influences changes in an instant. Every single genre of music is facing this very same issue for the very same reasons. DNA has mixed and influences have been added. Go read the lyrics to Alabama’s ‘Changes Comin’ On’ because this was all said back in 1982.
The entire music industry, regardless of genre, was destroyed by (insert favorite villain here) record labels if you ask me. When selling 20-30k units is good you will target anyone and everyone. The line has blurred more but go after the acts with rap, samples, electronics and such NOT Urban, Church and others. They are just the ones standing in the spot those old artists stood in.
Is Garth Brooks country? Is Taylor Swift country? Taylor carried the flag but she sold 1.2M on opening day. because she is NOT JUST country. End the very end of it all lynch the labels because they sign them and they sell them. Thanks for reading my rant, honestly, thanks.
Karen
February 17, 2014 @ 6:50 am
Wow, what a tour. (Won’t even have to avoid the opener) I hope Willie’s health holds up for this. Michigan, Ohio and Indiana on the list!! I have choices and only have to drive 2 to 3 hours!!
Karen
February 17, 2014 @ 6:55 am
It continues into August and November too.
Rachel
February 17, 2014 @ 12:09 pm
I’m worried about Willie being pushed too hard to maintain this grueling schedule.
It’s too much.
Tubby
February 18, 2014 @ 12:52 pm
The Missus and I are already making plans to be at Ravinia for this show. We missed Willie the last time he came through our neck of the woods and have been kicking ourselves ever since.
Acca Dacca
April 16, 2014 @ 9:58 pm
Yes! Jason Isbell is going to be with Willie when he stops in Arkansas! Gots to go get tickets pronto.