Lineup Announced for Willie Nelson’s 2017 4th of July Picnic
A traditional like few others will transpire once again this summer when Willie Nelson celebrates the 4th of July by gathering together friends and family for his annual 4th of July Picnic. For the third year in a row, the event will be held at the Circuit of the Americas speedway just south of Austin, TX, and will include many long-standing invitees and Nelson family members in the lineup, as well as other special guests.
Included in this years lineup are country traditionalist Jamey Johnson, Texas music mainstays the Turnpike Troubadours, songwriters Hayes Carll and Steve Earle, upsurging traditionalist Margo Price, along with the usual cast of music legends such as Johnny Bush, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Billy Joe Shaver, David Allan Coe, Asleep at the Wheel, and others. This year’s picnic is squeezed in between installments of the Outlaw Music Fest, which sees some of the same names joining the lineup, including Sheryl Crow. The Raelyn Nelson Band, Folk Uke, and Lukas Nelson are some of the Willie-related acts that also made the lineup.
The tradition of the Willie Nelson 4th of July Picnics started with the Dripping Springs Reunion in 1973 (not held on the 4th, incidentally), with the idea of putting together a “Hillbilly Woodstock.” The Dripping Springs reunion featured Bill Monroe, Buck Owens, Charlie Rich, Dottie West, Roger Miller, Loretta Lynn, right beside Willie, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson. Over the years the picnics have gone on to feature artists forgotten by Nashville, and up-and-comers right beside big name talent. Many years the picnic was a losing propositions financially, but Willie’s commitment that has kept them going.
Acts will perform on two separate stages: the Grand Plaza stage near the entrance to the racetrack, and in the Austin360 Amphitheater. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 21st, at 10:00 a.m. CT., and prices will range from $39.50-$89.50.
The 2017 4th of July Picnic lineup is:
- Willie Nelson and the Family Band
- Kacey Musgraves
- Jamey Johnson
- Steve Earle
- Margo Price
- Asleep at the Wheel
- Turnpike Troubadours
- Hayes Carll
- Sheryl Crow
- Ray Wylie Hubbard
- Johnny Bush
- Billy Joe Shaver
- David Allan Coe
- Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
- Insects vs. Robots
- Raelyn Nelson Band
- Folk Uke
April 17, 2017 @ 8:07 am
Damn!! That’s a hell of a line up. Nice to see the Troubadours there.
April 17, 2017 @ 8:09 am
During their show last night, Dale Watson and Ray Benson said they would be there.
April 17, 2017 @ 8:11 am
Why the fuck is Sheryl Crow on the lineup?
April 17, 2017 @ 9:36 am
One thing that is obvious about Sheryl Crow is how many of these legends have huge respect for her. I have heard Willie and others say great things about her and they continue to have her on bills like this.
April 17, 2017 @ 11:16 am
Meh, she was a backup singer for Michael Jackson.
Yawn.
April 17, 2017 @ 11:57 am
Personally, I feel this is the weakest lineup in years. Especially, on the top of the bill. Musgraves and Johnson have been listless of late. And Crow feels dated.
I’m saving $1,500 and not going this year. I’ll catch one of the 9 shows closer to home.
2015 spoiled us. I was hoping for Dylan, Avett Bros., Isbell combo.
April 17, 2017 @ 11:59 am
The poster I saw this morning had Sheryl Crow in the co-headlining slot or the traditional WTF slot.
April 23, 2017 @ 1:27 pm
The lineup is kinda meh taking nothing away from the artists on the bill whom I love most of them. It will be hard to top the 2015 lineup with Sturgill, Stapelton, isbell, Jamey, Kacey, Leon Russell and Merle’s last 4th of July picnic appearance.
May 7, 2017 @ 12:38 am
Sheryl Crow being there is among a few of the reasons I decided to get tickets, travel from Central Illinois. It will be my vacation that I haven’t taken in over 10 years. Of course Willie is the main reason, can’t wait to see him on his home turf.
June 27, 2017 @ 10:49 am
Can’t wait to see Ray Wylie and Jamie Johnson. I just love their music. Both of their songs were in the movie Hell or High Water. I hope they do the songs from that movie. We recently saw Ray Wylie at Greune and it was an amazing show. He played for over 2 hours and his 23 year old son plays with him and he’s an awesome guitar player. I also love Sheryl Crow’s music. She has a beautiful voice and a nice easy-going style about her. Oh, and of course Willie and Lukas will be the showcase of the evening. There will be fireworks also.