Willie Nelson is unfortunately canceling a major performance on his Outlaw Music Festival tour after extreme weather wreaked havoc on his equipment.
The 92-year-old country legend, who was set to headline the 2025 festival alongside Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, and other artists, will no longer perform at the event scheduled for July 1, 2025, at Lucky Star Amphitheater in El Reno, OK.
The cancellation comes after heavy rain and high winds severely damaged the gear needed for the concert.
Why Was the Concert Canceled?
The Outlaw Music Festival’s 10th Anniversary concert event had to be canceled due to the extreme weather that struck the area. The festival organizers released a statement explaining that on June 29, an unexpected storm in Ridgedale, MO at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena caused significant damage.
“Heavy rains and high winds forced the crowd to evacuate,” the statement read. As a result, many performers’ equipment, including instruments, was damaged and waterlogged, making it unsafe and difficult to assess in time for the concert the following day.
Efforts to Recover and Reschedule
With the equipment damage and the need to ensure everything was in proper condition, the decision was made to cancel the July 1 concert to allow time for recovery and replacement of the damaged gear.
Blackbird Presents, Lucky Star Amphitheater, and DCF Concerts all expressed regret over the cancellation, apologizing for the inconvenience it may cause and announcing that refunds would be issued for ticket holders.
Concern for Willie Nelson’s Guitar, Trigger
As the news spread, fans took to social media asking about the well-being of Trigger, Willie Nelson’s famous guitar. A representative for Nelson confirmed to PEOPLE that Trigger is safe and was not affected by the storm. This reassurance came as a relief to many who were worried about the instrument that has been an iconic part of Nelson’s performances for decades.
The Outlaw Music Festival Continues
Despite this setback, the Outlaw Music Festival will continue. The festival is known as North America’s largest touring music festival, gathering legendary artists and fans for unforgettable live performances, food, drink, and shopping experiences.
After the cancellation, Nelson and the other artists are expected to resume the festival in Austin, Texas on July 4, 2025.
Previous Health Issues for Willie Nelson
This cancellation comes after Willie Nelson was forced to miss the opening show of the 2024 Outlaw Music Festival due to not feeling well. A statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account mentioned that he was advised by doctors to rest for several days but was expected to make a full recovery and join the tour soon.
With the festival set to pick back up on July 4, fans are eagerly awaiting Nelson’s return to the stage, along with other musical icons.
