Neil Young & Promise Of The Real Welcome Willie Nelson At Texas Tour Opener

Last night, Neil Young and Promise of The Real kicked off a brief run of U.S. dates at the Whitewater Amphitheatre in New Braunfels, Texas. Young and his band shared the stage with iconic musician Willie Nelson for a portion of the show that included a tribute to Merle Haggard. Neil and Promise Of The Real also busted out a long lost Young original.

Neil Young & Promise Of The Real’s show in New Braunfels stuck to a similar script as past Rebel Content Tour shows. Young opened the evening with a series of solo performances on piano, acoustic guitar and pump organ before bringing out the band. Last night’s solo portion included takes on such classics as “After The Gold Rush,” “Heart Of Gold,” “The Needle & The Damage Done” and “Long May You Run.”

Young welcomed Willie Nelson out towards the middle of the 19-song performance. Willie’s sons Micah Nelson and Lukas Nelson are members of Promise Of The Real creating a true family affair in New Braunfels. The Red Headed Stranger contributed to Neil’s first version of his own “Are There Any More Real Cowboys?” since April 24, 1993 – a span of over 23 years. Willie stuck around to help pay tribute to his old friend and long time collaborator Merle Haggard who passed away earlier this month. Neil Young, Promise Of The Real and Willie Nelson honored Merle with “Okie From Muskogee.”

After Willie departed following his two-song sit-in, Young and his band rolled through more career-spanning material from Neil including “Walk On,” “Words,” “Down By The River” and “Love And Only Love.” Neil Young & Promise Of The Real had one more big surprise in store for the audience as they encored with “Revolution Blues.” Young has only performed the On The Beach track 39 times with the last version prior to last night having taken place nearly 30 years ago on August 18, 1987.

Watch fan-shot footage of Neil & Promise Of The Real teaming with Willie Nelson on “Are There Any More Real Cowboys?” as captured by Branden Dross:

Check out the first fan-shot footage of last night’s “Okie From Muskogee” to surface thanks to Jake Crownover:

Setlist (via Sugar Mountain)

Set: After The Gold Rush / Heart Of Gold / The Needle And The Damage Done / Long May You Run / Mother Earth (Natural Anthem) / Out On The Weekend / Unknown Legend / Someday / Comes A Time / Are There Any More Real Cowboys? (w/ Willie Nelson) / Okie from Muskogee (w/ Willie Nelson) / Walk On / Words / Down By The River / I Won’t Quit / Country Home / Monsanto Years / Love And Only Love

Encore: Revolution Blues