At the age of 90, renowned country music legend Willie Nelson is still touring the United States with his band, the Nelson Family Band, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to his artistic profession. However, last year, he experienced a worrying health issue that impacted both him and his band.
During a tour, Nelson had to make the difficult decision to cancel their headlining performance at the Jazz Fest. A member of the Willie Nelson Family Band tested positive for COVID-19. Surprisingly, it was eventually discovered that Nelson had contracted the virus.
Awakening in the middle of the night on his tour bus, Nelson struggled to breathe, facing a terrifying ordeal. A rapid PCR test confirmed his fears: he had indeed contracted COVID-19. Given his age, the situation was dire due to his vulnerability to the virus.
To aid in his recovery, Willie’s wife, Annie, shared the measures they took. “I had a nebulizer on the bus. I started everything I could at that point, including Paxlovid. He had the monoclonal antibodies. He had steroids,” she told Country Music Television. They transformed their home in Spicewood, Texas into a makeshift hospital, enlisting an entire medical unit to monitor his recovery.
The road to recovery was challenging, but after six days, Nelson found the strength to return to the stage. Just two weeks later, he resumed his touring schedule with shows in New Braunfels, Texas. His resilience and determination were awe-inspiring.
Throughout the process, Annie stated that there were times when she wondered if he would make it. She reflected on those anxious times, saying, “There were a couple of times when I wasn’t sure he was going to make it.”
However, true to his personality, Nelson kept his typical wit, saying, “COVID ain’t nothing to laugh at, that’s for sure.” His capacity to find comedy in the midst of hardship demonstrates his strength of character.
Following the shocking COVID scare, Willie Nelson and his Family Band continued touring, demonstrating their unwavering spirit. In September, they attended the Farm Aid 2022 Music Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina, where they were joined on stage by an incredible lineup of artists, including John Mellencamp, Margo Price, Chris Stapleton, and Sheryl Crow, among others.
Not only is Willie Nelson an icon of country music, but he is also an inspiration to many for his resilience and determination. Despite the challenges he faced, he remains committed to his passion, bringing joy and music to audiences across the country.