Country music icon Willie Nelson was unable to perform at the first night of the "Outlaw Music Festival Tour" due to an illness. The 91-year-old musician had to cancel his appearance at the Ameris Bank Amphitheater in Alpharetta, Georgia on June 21, just hours before showtime.

In a statement posted on social media, it was announced that Nelson was not feeling well and had been advised by his doctor to rest for the next four days. However, the statement reassured fans that he was expected to make a quick recovery and would join the tour again the following week. The specific date of his return to the stage was not mentioned.

A representative for Nelson provided an update on the singer's health, stating that he would be fine and expressing excitement to attend upcoming performances on the east coast. In Nelson's absence, his son Lukas Nelson and the Family Band stepped in to perform a "special set" that included some of Nelson's classic tunes and other songs.

The "Outlaw Music Festival Tour" will continue without Nelson, with upcoming shows scheduled for June 22 in Charlotte, North Carolina, June 23 in Raleigh, North Carolina, and a brief break before resuming on June 26 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The Outlaw Music Festival, which was first introduced in 2016 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, includes an impressive lineup of legendary artists. Nelson had previously expressed his excitement about the 2024 tour, describing it as the biggest and best yet.

Nelson's absence due to health issues is not unheard of among legendary artists. In May, Bruce Springsteen was ordered by doctors to refrain from performing for ten days, resulting in the postponement of several European concerts. Similarly, in 2023, Springsteen postponed his remaining concert dates as he recovered from peptic ulcer disease. Nelson himself had nearly cancelled his "On the Road Again" tour in 2019, citing a breathing problem that required medical attention. However, he was able to recover and resume the tour after a short break.

As fans eagerly await Nelson's return, they can look forward to the anticipated performances by a stellar lineup of artists in the "Outlaw Music Festival Tour."