Born in Abbott, Texas in the middle of the night, Willie Nelson celebrates his birthday over both April 29 and April 30, and as the American musical icon turns 87 this week his exclusive SiriusXM channel, Willie’s Roadhouse (Ch. 59), will throw down with a two-day radio party.
Willie Nelson’s Double Down 87th Birthday Bash will feature a two-hour special airing four times over the two days, including the full audio from his 2012 Town Hall in New York City hosted by Johnny Knoxville (co-host of a weekly show on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country channel) — as well as a live painting demonstration from Willie’s son Micah — recorded with a live audience of SiriusXM subscribers during the rollout for his memoir Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.
Also included in the two-hour double-birthday special will be an electrifying 2017 performance from the Luck Reunion held at his private Old West town outside of Austin, Texas. Willie’s set followed a long rain delay, and was moved from the main outdoor stage to a jam-packed Revival Tent. As Bill Murray and many of the artists in the lineup watched from side stage, Willie led members of his son Lukas’ band, Promise of the Real, and Micah’s band, Insects Vs. Robots, through a high-energy show, with his hero and friend Billy Joe Shaver stepping in for a show-stopping rendition of his 1972 song “Willy the Wandering Gypsy and Me.”
Hear Willie Nelson’s Double Down 87th Birthday Bash on Willie’s Roadhouse (all times ET) on Wednesday, April 29 from 6pm-8pm and Thursday, April 30 from 12am-2am; 12pm-2pm; and 10pm-12am. Stream Willie’s Roadhouse for free through 5/15.
Over both of Willie’s birthdays, Willie’s Roadhouse listeners will also hear three featured tracks from his forthcoming Buddy Cannon-produced album, First Rose of Spring – the title track (co-written by Randy Houser), “Our Song” (written by Chris Stapleton) and the exclusive world premiere of his new take on the timeless classic “Yesterday When I Was Young,” which was a Top 10 country hit for Roy Clark in 1969. Originally set for release this month, the 11-song album has been rescheduled for a July 3, 2020 release on Legacy Recordings.
Willie’s Roadhouse DJs including Willie’s daughter Paula Nelson (6 pm-midnight ET), Dallas Wayne (12-6 pm ET), and Charlie Monk (6 am-noon ET) will be on air during their regular shifts over Willie’s birthdays, which will also feature special wishes and recorded messages from many of his family and friends, including Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Dan Rather, Charley Pride, Marty Stuart, Gene Watson, Moe Bandy, and more.
Other hosts at Willie’s Roadhouse include Grand Ole Opry legend Jeannie Seely (Sundays with Seely), Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel (Austin Outer Limits) and Ranger Doug of Riders in the Sky and the Time Jumpers (Ranger Doug’s Classic Cowboy Corral). The channel is also home to the Grand Ole Opry, and has been featuring Opry “House Guest” DJs including Brad Paisley, Marty Stuart, and Steve Wariner, while the historic radio show from Music City U.S.A. has cut back to one show per week during COVID-19 outbreak.
Willie’s Roadhouse on SiriusXM (Ch. 59) is available to SiriusXM subscribers nationwide on most SiriusXM radios, and is available to everyone – including anyone who is not already a SiriusXM subscriber – on the SiriusXM app and connected devices as part of SiriusXM’s recently announced free streaming access period. For more information and to start listening, visit: siriusxm.com/streamfree.
VIDEO/AUDIO:
Willie Nelson’s Daughter Paula Wishes Him Happy Birthday
Willie Explains Why He Has Two Birthdays
Willie Nelson’s 2012 Town Hall Hosted by Johnny Knoxville
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