Willie Nelson Unexpectedly Leaves Stage in Texas, Returns to Finish Show
Willie Nelson played the second night of a two-night stint at the Whitewater Amphitheater just outside of New Braunfels, TX on Saturday night (4-22), and left many fans concerned after he had to leave the stage for an extended period, and also appeared disoriented at times during the set.
After singing the first song “Whiskey River” Saturday night, Willie Nelson laid his guitar Trigger down against the drum riser and unexpectedly left the stage. His family band continued to play and tried to cover for him, but Willie was absent from the stage for about 20 minutes as fans looked on anxiously before Willie eventually re-emerged. After returning, Willie continued to look disoriented for a couple of songs, and took another song off from singing while the band kept playing.
Later Willie appeared to find his groove, and despite repeating “Good Hearted Woman” which he played earlier in the set, he finished the show without any further issue. Kacey Musgraves, who opened the show, joined Willie with the rest of her band on the stage about halfway through the set until the finale. Despite the issues, fans were happy for the opportunity to see Willie, and witnessed a full show in the end.
The 83-year-old country legend is regularly the target of health concerns, sometimes fueled by viral content farms and internet rumor mills exploiting death hoaxes and exacerbated health news to drive clicks. Nonetheless, some recent health concerns for Willie Nelson have been real, including his canceling of seven shows earlier this year due to undisclosed health concerns. After the canceled shows, Willie Nelson re-emerged in a highly-anticipated performance at the San Antonio Rodeo on February 16th without issue.
Willie is scheduled to play at the City Band Auditorium in Lubbock on Sunday, April 23rd, and then play a string of shows out west ahead of a headlining appearance at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, CA on April 29th, which also happens to be Willie Nelson’s 84th birthday. Saving Country Music reached out to Willie’s publicist for comment or further information, but emails were not immediately returned.
Willie’s latest album God’s Problem Child will be released on April 28th. It includes the song “Still Not Dead” that makes light of the internet death hoaxes regularly swirling around Willie.
Tangelox
April 23, 2017 @ 12:13 pm
I was there it was weird but the band never missed a beat.
Sir Adam the Great
April 24, 2017 @ 4:08 pm
Paul English says the most important thing to remember about playing with Willie Nelson is not to listen to Willie Nelson. Maybe they were just doing that.
Jo Janacaro Taylor
April 23, 2017 @ 2:25 pm
Give Willie a break guys…HE’S DEFINATELY EARNED IT!!! I say he can do as he feels best for him.
He’s given soooo much throughout the years…let’s give back to him for once and let the man be!!
Trigger
April 23, 2017 @ 2:48 pm
Who is not giving Willie a break? I’ve seen similar comments like this on Facebook, yet I haven’t seen anyone criticizing Willie for turning in a bad performance or taking 20 minutes to compose himself if he needed to. The concern here is not that Willie didn’t turn is a superb performance. The concern is that he’s about to turn 84-years-old and is one of the last great living legends in country music and might be dealing with some health issues. And that’s understandable.
Go see Willie when you have a chance. That should be the takeaway from this article.
Kent
April 23, 2017 @ 3:03 pm
I listened to his newest album, “God’s Problem Child”, on NPR. And I thought he sounded good for someone who’ll soon turn 84. But I wonder for how much longer he’ll be around. It’ll be a sad day then he passes away and the end of an era.
Rachel Newman
April 23, 2017 @ 3:09 pm
Amen and thanks for the update on Willie!
HayesCarll23
April 23, 2017 @ 3:15 pm
Easy! He is just reporting the facts…
MH
April 24, 2017 @ 6:27 am
Ah yes, the type of fan that turns around toward everyone in the crowd behind them waving their arms and encouraging everyone to stand up.
Brent
April 23, 2017 @ 4:35 pm
Long love Willie!!!! Greatest of all time.
Lee Chadsey
April 23, 2017 @ 7:54 pm
Gotta love the greatest country singer of his time. I love his music!! Go Willie your awesome!
Mindy
April 23, 2017 @ 9:17 pm
God bless you Willie!
Deborah Amir-Moez
April 23, 2017 @ 10:54 pm
Just came from Willie’s concert in Lubbock, Texas 4/23/17. Willie looked and sounded great! Very much enjoyed seeing Willie and his super talented sister on stage again. It was a wonderful performance with no disappointments.
Wesley Gray
April 23, 2017 @ 11:00 pm
In my thoughts, Willie! we love you, dude!
Kev
April 24, 2017 @ 12:33 am
Keep well Willie!
Norman
April 24, 2017 @ 6:35 am
Willie started off as a songwriter to the greats. He was told he didn’t have the voice to sing. But he got tired of others singing his songs and soon started singing then himself. Decades later Willie is still singing his songs even as his iconic Country Music light shines a little dimmer. Roll on Willie, roll on. Your music and life lessons shall haunt me forever.
RedRaiderMusicFan
April 24, 2017 @ 7:42 am
I saw Willie at his Lubbock show. Sounded great and seemed to be doing well health wise.
Tammy strickland
April 24, 2017 @ 11:34 am
New Braunfels had got to be a hard place for Willie to play. He played there with Merle so many times,they were very close friends. Give Willie a break. RIP my Merle
Trigger
April 24, 2017 @ 12:24 pm
Still waiting for an example of someone, anyone, NOT giving Willie a break.
Trigger
April 24, 2017 @ 11:03 pm
Also, for the folks who think this story was fabricated for some reason, or that Willie’s performance wasn’t as concerning as was characterized here, Brendan Meyer from Guide Live had a similar take:
https://www.guidelive.com/texas-yall/2017/04/23/saw-willie-nelson-perform-saturday-night-beautiful-sad
The good news is the reports from Willie’s show on Sunday in Lubbock is that he was much stronger.
Bill #2
April 26, 2017 @ 7:09 am
An 84 year old, heavy marijuana user appeared disoriented?
No kidding.
Lowell Hughes
April 26, 2017 @ 11:38 pm
I’ve Been watching Willie for at least 50 yrs, great entertainer, I have bested tho in age,
I am 97