Willie Nelson hosted his 44th annual 4th of July Picnic on, you guessed it, July 4, 2017. This year the picnic took place at the Austin 360 Amphitheater on the grounds of the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The crowds were treated to tons of awesome music, lots of beautiful sunshine, and some colorful fireworks to boot.
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Austin 360 Amphitheater
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| Observation tower at Circuit of the Americas |
Some of Willie's friends in the country music world and a big part of his ultra-talented family members took to two stages for twelve hours packed with all styles of country music.
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| Grand Plaza Stage |
In addition to the main Pavilion Stage (the venue's permanent Austin360 Amphitheater stage), a second, smaller stage, was erected on the Grand Plaza.
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| Grand Plaza Stage |
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| Pavilion Stage |
Stage hosts:
Pavilion Stage: Kinky Friedman
Kinky Friedman is a singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician, and former columnist for Texas Monthly magazine.
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| Kinky Friedman |
Grand Plaza Stage: Eric Raines
Eric Raines is a radio host from local Country radio station KOKE.
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| Eric Raines |
Grand Plaza stage acts:
David Allan Coe
David Allan Coe is singer, songwriter from the Outlaw Country Music circuit who released his first album in 1970.
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| David Allan Coe |
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| David Allan Coe |
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| David Allan Coe |
Raelyn Nelson Band
Raelyn Nelson's band plays a combo of country and rock. If the last name makes you wonder...Yes, she is related to Willie. Raelyn is Willie's granddaughter.
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| Raelyn Nelson |
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| Raelyn Nelson |
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| Raelyn Nelson Band |
Folk Uke
Folk Uke is a sassy duo of friends who perform their own style of folk music. And these girls come from some major musical roots. Cathy Guthrie is the daughter of Arlo Guthrie and granddaughter of the great Woody Guthrie. Amy Nelson is the youngest daughter of Willie Nelson.
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| Folk Uke |
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| Cathy Guthrie |
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| Amy Nelson |
Billy Joe Shaver
Billy Joe Shaver is a Texas country music singer, songwriter whose 1973 album
Old Five and Dimers Like Me is a classic in the outlaw country music genre.
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| Billy Joe Shaver |
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| Billy Joe Shaver |
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| Billy Joe Shaver |
Insects vs Robots
This psych-folk group has an especially unusual name and music style for a band playing at a predominantly country music festival, but it actually fits in quite nicely. Why? Because the band's lead singer is related to the venerable host of this festival. Micah Nelson is Willie's youngest child. Joining Micah (guitar, vocals, percussion, drums) in the band is Milo Gonzalez (guitar, vocals), Nikita Sorokin (violins, vocals), Tony Peluso (drums, synths), and Jeff Smith (bass).
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| Micah Nelson |
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| Micah Nelson |
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| Insects vs Robots |
Johnny Bush
Johnny Bush is a country singer, songwriter and drummer from Texas who started his music career in 1952 playing honky-tonks in San Antonio. Johnny wrote Willie Nelson's signature song,
Whiskey River.
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| Johnny Bush |
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| Johnny Bush |
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| Johnny Bush |
Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real
Yes, Lukas Nelson is Willie's son and if he haven't heard him sing, go to Youtube immediately. In many of his songs, his voice bares an incredibly familiar tone. Willie has taught him well. Lukas is the guitarist and lead vocalist in this rock band. He is joined by drummer Anthony Logerfo, bassist Corey McCormick, and percussionist Tato Melgar. Keep an eye out for their self-titled album due out August 25.
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| Lukas Nelson |
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| Lukas Nelson |
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| Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real |
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| Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real |
Ray Benson and Asleep At the Wheel
Known as the Kings of Western Swing, Asleep at the Wheel was formed by Ray Benson in Paw Paw, West Virginia in 1969. Ray moved the band to Austin in 1974, and the rest, as they say, is history. Ray has made it his business to save Texas dance halls from extinction. Although the lineup of the band has changed over the years, their music is still as relevant as ever. The current lineup is: Ray Benson- lead guitar and vocals, Katie Shore- fiddle and vocals, Dave Sanger- drums, Eddie Rivers- steel and sax, Dennis Ludiker- fiddle, mandolin, and vocals, Josh Hoag- bass, Connor Forsyth- piano and vocals, and Jay Reynolds- sax and clarinet.
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| Ray Benson |
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| Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel |
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| Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel |
Steve Earle & The Dukes
Steve Earle is a rock, country, and folk singer-songwriter, record producer, author and actor who began his career as a songwriter and released his first EP in 1982. Since then, Earle has released 16 studio albums and earned three Grammy Awards. His songs have been recorded by greats such as Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Vince Gill, and EmmyLou Harris, to name a few.
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| Steve Earle |
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| Steve Earle and The Dukes |
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| Steve Earle |
Pavilion Stage acts:
Ray Wylie Hubbard
Ray Wylie Hubbard is a Texas country singer, songwriter. His music fits into the Red Dirt style of Texas country music. He is best known for his song "Snake Farm." His latest album
Tell The Devil I'm Getting There As Fast As I Can is set to release later this year.
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| Ray Wylie Hubbard |
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| Ray Wylie Hubbard |
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| Ray Wylie Hubbard |
Hayes Carll
Hayes Carll is a Texas-born singer, songwriter who released his debut album in 2002. He received a Grammy Nomination for Best Country Song, 2016 for "Chances Are" recorded by Lee Ann Wommack. Hayes swept the Austin Music Awards for 2017, winning Musician of the Year, Album of the Year -
Lovers and Leavers, Song of the Year -
Sake of the Song, Best Folk Performer, Male Vocals, Songwriter, and Album Art -
Lovers and Leavers.
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| Hayes Carll |
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| Hayes Carll |
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| Hayes Carll |
Margo Price
Margo Price is a rising country star. If you think it feels like Ms Price is always hanging out in Austin, you are partially correct. She has been here for almost every big musically event in the last 9 months including ACL Fest in Oct 2016, SXSW Music Fest in March 2017, Willie Nelson's Luck Reunion in March, a concert at Emo's in April and now the 4th of July Picnic. She also taped a performance for the PBS show Austin City Limits when she was here in October.
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| Margo Price |
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| Margo Price |
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| Margo Price |
Turnpike Troubadours
The Turnpike Torubadours are a Americana/ Folk rock group from Oklahoma. They formed in 2005 and released their first album in 2007. The band includes singer/guitarist Evan Felker, bassist RC Edwards, fiddler Kyle Nix, steel and electric guitarist Ryan Engleman, and drummer Gabe Pearson.
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| Evan Felker |
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| Tournpike Troubadours |
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| Ryan Engleman |
Jamey Johnson
Singer-songwriter Jamey Johnson hails from Montgomery, Alabama. Johnson released his debut single,
The Dollar, in 2005, followed by an album by the same name in 2006. Besides being a successful singer, Johnson is an award winning songwriter. Besides multiple nominations for Grammy, Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association awards, in 2007, Johnson earned both the ACM and CMA Awards for Song of the Year for his co-writing of George Strait's number 1 hit "Give It Away." In 2009, Johnson was awarded with ACM and CMA Song of the Year for his own hit "In Color."
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| Jamey Johnson |
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| Jamey Johnson |
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| Jamey Johnson |
Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves is one of the bright new faces in country music. This small town Texas girl's style is the perfect blend of sweet and sassy. She has been writing songs since she was 8 yrs old and has been rewarded for her effort. In 2014 Kacey won two Grammy Awards, Best Country Song - "Merry Go 'Round," which she co-wrote and Best Country Album -
Same Trailer Different Park.
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| Kacey Musgraves |
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| Kacey Musgraves |
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| Kacey Musgraves |
Sheryl Crow
Singer, songwriter, and actress Sheryl Crow blends elements of pop, rock, folk, country, and blues into her songs. She has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide and earned 9 Grammy Awards.
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| Sheryl Crow |
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| Sheryl Crow |
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| Sheryl Crow |
Willie Nelson and Family
What is there to say about Willie Nelson that hasn't already been said? He is a country music legend. He has written more hits than most artists could ever dream of writing. He has earned every award imaginable, and some most have never thought was possible. All that's left to be said is, He's Willie.
We won't be posting any individual pictures from Willie's performance here on this blog due to photography restrictions, but please click on the following link and head on over to our complete coverage of the Willie Nelson 4th of July Picnic as seen on the Austin American-Statesman's Austin360 website.
Click here to see Willie and more of the picnic coverage:
Willie and Family pics and More
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