Willie Nelson, with nearly six decades of entertaining under his belt, shows no signs of slowing down.
The legendary singer-songwriter is approaching his 90th birthday later this month, yet he continues to work tirelessly, producing remarkable music and ensuring his fans have ample opportunities to catch him live in concert.
In fact, Nelson, who inked his first major recording deal with Liberty Records in 1962, will be marking his milestone birthday while on tour. In a recent interview with AARP, he expressed that work, regardless of its nature, is beneficial for him.
“Working is really good for me, no matter what kind of show it is,” he remarked. “The fact that I’ll be there for two days with a lot of my good friends coming out… saying hello and singing with me makes it a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to it.”While it’s not uncommon for high-profile entertainers to continue performing well beyond retirement age – exemplified by figures like Dick Van Dyke (97), Michael Caine (89), and David Attenborough (96) – there’s a distinct disparity between appearing in film or TV roles and performing live music on extensive tours.
Yet Nelson persists in scheduling shows and delivering awe-inspiring performances, a remarkable feat for someone on the cusp of their ninth decade.
Regarding his upcoming 90th birthday, Nelson shared a conversation he had with his friend Norman Lear, who recently turned 100. “I’ve been telling everybody it’s just a number,” Nelson recounted. “Am I right?” Lear affirmed, “Yeah, it’s just a number.”
The Texas native also expressed his readiness to embark on new tours. “Jokingly, I retire after every tour,” he quipped. “But I’m always ready to go back again. I like the bus. I have everything I need on the bus. I never have to go into a hotel room anywhere. It’s not that bad.”
It’s truly remarkable that Nelson maintains the energy to grace stages and entertain audiences under such demanding circumstances. And his voice remains as captivating as ever, a testament to his lifelong dedication to his craft.
“I think singing is good for my voice,” he remarked. “I don’t do anything to harm it much anymore. If you don’t use it, you lose it.”
As Nelson approaches this significant milestone, let’s extend our warmest wishes for a happy 90th birthday and many more years of musical brilliance.
