Willie Nelson Returns To Stage At 4th Of July Picnic Near Philadelphia

Willie Nelson was finally back in action last night to headline his Fourth of July Picnic concert at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey. The 91-year-old musician played for over an hour with his family band including son Lukas Nelson after missing the first eight stops of the traveling Outlaw Music Festival due to illness.

The Red Headed Stranger took the stage following performances by Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Maren Morris, Mavis Staples and Celisse. Thursday’s concert marked the first time since 2010 Willie Nelson’s Fourth Of July Picnic was held outside of Texas.

Willie Nelson emerged just before 10 p.m. to huge cheeers from the audience. The outlaw country legend was accompanied to the stage by Lukas, who admirably filled in for his father at the Outlaw Festival shows Willie missed.

Nelson opened with the beloved “Whiskey River” and fit in plenty of favorites from his repertoire including “Bloody Mary Morning,” “Mammas Don’t Let You Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys,” “You Were Always On My Mind” and “On The Road Again.” Lukas and Willie dueted on a cover of Pearl Jam‘s “Just Breathe.” The set also featured the live debut of “The Border,” the title track from Willie’s latest studio album.

Watch a collection of fan-shot video from Willie’s set across the river from Philadelphia:

The Outlaw Music Festival resumes on Saturday, July 6 at Bethel Woods Center For The Arts in Bethel, New York. Willie Nelson is joined on the bill by Dylan, Plant & Krauss and Celisse.