Legendary country music performer Willie Nelson recently disclosed a health-related incident that occurred on a tour with the Nelson Family band. Nelson is still touring the US at the age of 90, proving his unwavering commitment to his musical profession.
Nelson had to make a tough choice last year while on tour when one of his band members tested positive for COVID-19, forcing them to postpone their Jazz Fest headline performance. It was later shockingly discovered that Nelson had indeed become infected with the virus.
Sickened awake in the middle of the night on his tour bus, Nelson found himself in the middle of a terrifying ordeal. A quick PCR test validated his fears and showed that he had in fact caught COVID-19. Because of his age and the virus’s susceptibility, the situation was serious.
Nelson’s wife, Annie, revealed the steps they took to help him recover. “A nebulizer was with me on the bus. At that moment, I started everything I could, including Paxlovid. The monoclonal antibodies were with him. She disclosed that he was on steroids. Turning their Spicewood, Texas, house into a temporary hospital, they put together a medical unit to track his healing.
“There were a couple of times when I wasn’t sure he was going to make it,” Annie said, recalling the difficult experience. Though it was a difficult path to recovery, Nelson eventually found the strength to take the stage once more after six days. Two weeks later, he was back on the road, doing concerts in New Braunfels, Texas.
Nelson kept his signature humor despite the terrifying experience, admitting that “COVID ain’t nothing to laugh at, that’s for sure.”
Willie Nelson and his Family Band continued their tour after the COVID scare, stopping in September at Raleigh, North Carolina’s Farm Aid 2022 Music Festival. The festival featured an incredible roster that included Sheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton, Margo Price, and John Mellencamp, among many others.
