Waylon Jennings and John Prine performed at Willie Nelson’s first Fourth of July Picnic in 1973, which took place in Dripping Springs, Texas, and was a day filled with music. With the Texas Senate Resolution 687 designating July 4, 1975, as Willie Nelson Day, Nelson’s Picnic swiftly gained popularity. Fifty years later, Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic still pays tribute to American music by serving as a celebratory soundtrack.
On Friday, Nelson performed alongside legendary country musicians Bob Dylan and The Avett Brothers at Germania Amphitheater. Audiences were invited to enjoy a day of music and celebrations, including a fireworks show, beginning in the late afternoon. The rain clouds cleared despite the severe weather, allowing some of America’s most renowned musicians to give unforgettable performances.
The Avett Brothers entertained an enthusiastic audience with crooning ballads and lively classics as the sun began to drop. The crowd fell silent as the iconic song “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise” played, and a few droplets of rain fell during the poignant bridge. The Avett Brothers set the stage for an evening of sing-alongs and musical bliss with their fan favorite, “Ain’t No Man.”
The crowd craned to view the legend behind his enormous piano as Bob Dylan entered the stage next. Dylan’s performance was more aural than visual because, in contrast to the other artists of the day, his set was not televised on the large screen.
Dylan’s bluesy set featured songs like Blind Willie McTell and Under the Red Sky. His melodies carried the audience past sunset into a lovely night as they blended together with lingering piano notes and reflections.
Dylan chose to play his well-known song, Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right, in a spoken-word format as he closed out his set. A series of opulent instrumentals, including a lot of harmonica, followed his poems.
Dylan’s concert was followed by a spectacular fireworks display, which provided an exciting prelude to Willie Nelson’s final performance.
Before beginning his first song, Whiskey River, Nelson greeted the crowd with his trademark double braids, much like an old buddy. His son Lukas Nelson joined him on stage, and the two sang a duet of “Just Outside of Austin,” which was applauded every time the city was mentioned.
Even at the age of 92, Nelson’s voice continued to be charming and captivating as he sang his beloved hits, including “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys,” “On The Road Again,” and “Always On My Mind.”
Bringing the spirit back with a happy rendition of Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die, Nelson concluded the evening with a sing-along of Will the Circle Be Unbroken.
As his timeless melodies served as a reminder of the strength of American music, Nelson’s set was the ideal way to round off the evening. Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic is still a staple in America because of the unifying power of music, which captivated listeners even as the rain started to pour during Nelson’s last song.
