At the iconic Hollywood Bowl, a star-studded lineup came together to honor the legendary Willie Nelson on the occasion of his 90th birthday. Neil Young took the stage, posing the question, "Are there any more real cowboys?" The answer came with Nelson himself, donning a cowboy hat and patriotic guitar strap, as he joined Young for a 1985 duet, "Are There Any More Real Cowboys?"
With a crowd of over 17,000, Nelson expressed his gratitude to the artists who joined the celebration. The two-night event saw generations of stars paying tribute to the country legend by performing his songs.
Emcees for the evening included Owen Wilson, Helen Mirren, Ethan Hawke, and Jennifer Garner, who all shared their admiration for Nelson. Wilson reminisced about growing up in Texas, where Nelson's fame seemed larger than life. As a testament to his widespread appeal, the diverse crowd ranged from young children to seniors.
The tribute concert showcased a variety of artists and genres, emphasizing Nelson's ability to bring people together. Performances included Miranda Lambert's energetic rendition of "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys," The Chicks' fast-paced version of "Bloody Mary Morning," and Norah Jones' tribute to Nelson's late sister, Bobbie, with "Down Yonder."
The night was also filled with emotional performances from artists like Chris Stapleton, who delivered a heartfelt rendition of "Always on My Mind," and Nelson's son, Lukas, who sang "Angel Flying Too Close to The Ground" with an uncanny resemblance to his father's voice. The house band for the weekend, led by Don Was, featured harmonica master Mickey Raphael, another surviving member of Nelson's Family Band.
One poignant moment came when Nelson's 86-year-old Highwaymen bandmate, Kris Kristofferson, joined Rosanne Cash, Johnny Cash's daughter, to harmonize on "Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)."
The event also highlighted Nelson's diverse musical influence, with artists like Leon Bridges showcasing his affinity for blues and Ziggy Marley honoring Nelson's occasional forays into reggae.
The second night of the tribute featured a new lineup of acts, including Dave Matthews, Sheryl Crow, and Emmylou Harris. Young had earlier performed with Stephen Stills, playing a rousing version of "For What It's Worth," a classic hit they made as members of Buffalo Springfield in 1966.
Nelson ended the night by inviting all the artists to join him in singing the Carter Family's classic, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" Although the concert seemed to be winding down, Nelson surprised the audience with one more song, Mac Davis' "It's Hard to Be Humble," a fitting and comical conclusion to a night of adoration for the country music legend.
