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Friend Connie Nelson just sent me this year’s Willie Picnic pass, which was totally awesome of her.
The pass collection really stands a good chance at being complete some day, and if I’m lucky, I’ll be financially stable enough to donate it with my Picnic papers to some Texas archive, where future Picnic nerds can appreciate it.
No promises. If it has to be auctioned to provide funds for Ghostman, that’s a good cause, too.
Thanks to dear friend who sent me this great gift! I love guitar picks.
| There’s no better way to celebrate the 4th of July than at Willie Nelson’s iconic 4th of July Picnic, returning to the beautiful Germania Insurance Amphitheater in Austin, TX on July 4, 2025. Join us for over eight hours of unforgettable live music featuring: |
Thanks, Carol Sidoran, for sharing photo from Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic in Camden, NJ this year.
Dave Thomas talks about writing “Picnic: Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Tradition”
EXCERPT
From the sixth chapter:
As Robert Earl Keen launched into his newly revved-up version of “The Road Goes On Forever,” the first empty beer can flew into the air. Then another. Then a dozen more. Then hundreds at once, all rising and falling until the area in front of the stage looked like an old-fashioned popcorn popper. A not-quite empty can flew over the stage, leaking Shiner beer.
“I remember the police talking about how Robert was about to whip the crowd into a frenzy,” said Doc Mason, the Picnic’s chief medical officer. VelAnne Clifton, Luckenbach’s manager at the time, remembered it well: “About three or four thousand Aggies went apeshit.”
Reflecting on it twenty-five years later, Keen still sounded a little awestruck. “I don’t know what’s really happening at this point.”
In the months before Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic first came to historic Luckenbach, the community had feared that it would be too rowdy. Gillespie County Sheriff Milton Jung had diplomatically handled neighbors’ concerns, given notice to Picnic producers on what he expected, and worked with Luckenbach to make sure they were ready. So far, the Picnic had unfolded with little drama. But as Jung watched the crowd react to Keen, his own deep-seated fears came back. “Yeah, I figured that’s when all hell was gonna break loose.”–
Pre-order Dave’s book “Picnic: Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Tradition” here on Amazon.com
Photo: Janis Tillerson
Jerry Blundell, his cat “Precious” and a friend try to hitchhike to Willie’s 1980 4th of July picnic, which was held at the Pedernales Country Club west of Austin. This may be one of my favorite all-time Texas photos!
Shared by the Austin American Statesman. pic.twitter.com/ZZaOHmOml1
— Traces of Texas (@TracesofTexas) July 5, 2020
Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic returns to Q2 Stadium in Austin, TX! Come join Willie Nelson & Family along with a great lineup of talented artists and celebrate 50 years of the annual picnic!
Click HERE to check out the Willie Nelson Premium Package! Premium packages include a great seat to the show, & exclusive merchandise not sold anywhere else.
Already a member? After login, grab your presale code in advance from your Account Page, then head to the tour page or down below for the presale link.
| SHOW DATE Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 LOCATION Q2 Stadium in Austin, TX |
| BUY PREMIUM PACKAGES |
Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic returns to Q2 Stadium in Austin, TX! Come join Willie Nelson & Family along with a great lineup of talented artists and celebrate 50 years of the annual picnic!
Club Luck presale begins Friday, 4/21 at 10AM CT
Tickets onsale to the general public next Friday, 4/28 at 10AM CT
Club Luck Members get exclusive access to Presale Tickets and Premium Packages. Not a Club Luck member? Join HERE, or check out the Willie Nelson Premium Package! Premium packages include a great seat to the show, & exclusive merchandise not sold anywhere else.
Already a member? After login, grab your presale code in advance from your Account Page, then head to the tour page or down below for the presale link.
| SHOW DATE Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 LOCATION Q2 Stadium in Austin, TX |
| BUY PRESALE TICKETS |
| BUY PREMIUM PACKAGES |
