When Willie Nelson throws a party like his annual Luck Reunion, it’s a safe bet that the bands he enlists don’t even think twice about showing up in Luck, TX, where shenanigans are bound to ensue. This year, Willie whistled up Tyler Childers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Durand Jones, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, and more for main stage duty at the annual fundraising party in his (actual) back yard—and of course, they came running.
The beneficiary all this goodwill, The Luck Foundation, serves as a hub for all of Nelson’s various work to use his fame, fortune, and energy to help make the world a better place. As any of the artists who participated in the multi-stage gathering would surely tell you, Nelson is no stranger (red-headed or otherwise) to aiding worthy causes. From national events like Farm Aid to benefits for more localized entities like The Central Texas Food Bank Willie is always ready to lend a hand.
Thanks to a nugs livestream of Thursday’s festivities, music fans everywhere could follow along with the action on the main stage. Read a rundown of each of those sets below. If you missed the stream, don’t fret: the whole thing is available for on-demand playback through the end of the day on Saturday, March 16th.
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Tami Nielson
Main Stage opener Tami Nielson brought her authentic country twang out to the Luck Ranch along with two of her brothers to pay homage to their host with a set of mostly Willie Nelson tunes alongside a few of her own. Though Nelson wasn’t available this early in the morning because, as Nielson explained, noon is like six a.m. or earlier to musicians, he was certainly there in spirit. Though there are no official clips of her set available, you can watch the video for her collab with Willie, “Beyond The Stars”, for a demonstration of Nelson’s continued willingness to let rising acts catch a little of his metaphorical wind beneath their wings.
While Willie is at an age where so many of his contemporaries are telling folks to stay off their lawns, Wille Nelson and his Family Band continue to invite anyone with a smile on their faces and songs in their hearts to come dance on theirs. Nelson is still creating and releasing new music, promoting up-and-coming artists, and raising awareness and funds to help those in need of more than just musical support. From outlaw to philanthropist, songwriter to consummate performer, heart to humor, Willie Nelson has been one of the finest examples of humanity for the rest of us to see and attempt to emulate. And the best part is… Willie does it all with a rebel in his eye.
Lou Hazel
Lou Hazel was easily the most unconventional act on the Main Stage all day at Luck Reunion 2024. Hazel, a singer-songwriter who won his slot through a contest, took the stage with an apparently untuned guitar and seemed the slightest bit flustered to have to tune it in front of what is likely the largest crowd he’s ever met. His mild case of opening jitters turned out to be brief, however, and Hazel delivered a darker-than-anticipated performance that belied his humble charm and showed a much deeper well of personal expression than his youthful age would suggest. Judging by the chops he displayed during his short set, Hazel definitely deserves a chance to be heard by the masses.
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country
Daniel Donato scored another stellar endorsement along his journey from busking the streets of Nashville to collaborating with rock legends with his set at Luck Reunion. One thing Donato’s humble beginnings seem to have taught him is to take full advantage of his opportunities, such as his recent stint opening for Greensky Bluegrass at his “Music City” home town‘s legendary Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry. Nelson, himself no stranger to the “Mother Church of Country Music,” obviously approves of Donato’s wildly varied approach to the country aesthetic, and Donato and company made good on their prominent slot with a thrilling, guitar-heavy set. Donato continues to grow into his promise night after night. At even a fraction of the rate at which he’s progressed to date, his potential is sky-high.
Durand Jones & The Indications
Saxophone wailer Durand Jones brought his aching vocals and soulful sound to the Main Stage for a set that may have caught the the country-leaning fans in the crowd by surprise. Jones’ infectious style of R&B, his clutch of stellar originals, and a pair of pitch-perfect Stevie Wonder covers “Ain’t Gonna Stand For It” (a song that has been called “Stevie does Country” by more than one reviewer) had the audience spellbound and grooving. The thick, impressionistic keyboard work of Steve Okonski was particularly helpful in maintaining the “church-light” element of the funky grooves Jones and The Indications laid down during their all-too-short set of songs going strong.
Old Crow Medicine Show
Old Crow Medicine Show seized the spotlight with a rip-roaring “Tell It To Me” and never looked back. A thrill ride from start to finish, OCMS’s set touched on originals and covers ranging from “Proud Mary” to “City Of New Orleans” throughout the crowd-favorite set. The icon Steve Earle made an all-too brief appearance that luckily left enough time the band’s set for the mandatory “Wagon Wheel”. Never let it be said that Old Crow Medicine Show leaves anything in the locker room—they give their all every time they plug in and jam. A weary and bedazzled crowd at the Luck Festival will surely attest to that.
Tyler Childers
Tyler Childers’ entire set at Luck Reunion was a master class mesmerizing an audience. His magnetism started to show early as he introduced his stalwart backing band, The Food Stamps, during the very first song—a gesture of love and ego-less confidence in the music that didn’t go unnoticed.
Mixing gospel, R & B and traditional country in his signature style, Childers was on fire throughout the show. Whether seated with his trusty fiddle or rocking the mic in full frontman mode, he displayed both the raw talent and countless hours it requires to hone those sorts of gifts, to put your name on the band—though that’s not to say that any member of his backing collective was anything less than top-shelf. Childers also picked a little guitar and alongside six-string and pedal steel guitarist James Barkley and by the end of his set, he had managed to summarily confirm the respect and fandom he’s managed to cultivate among peers and listeners alike.
Willie Nelson
Despite his age, Willie Nelson was the consummate showman as always at Luck Reunion. With his dazzling extended “Family” band at his sides and behind him, the Nelson patriarch’s presence remained towering even from his seated position. Like his legendary-in-its-own-right guitar, Trigger, Willie shows the wear of time on his face, but as he says. “It’s not the years, it’s the mileage.” Still, on songs like “Die When I’m High (Then I’m Halfway To Heaven)”, Nelson showed that the miles haven’t bothered him much.
Whether Nelson was warning “Mamas” to not let their babies to grow up cowboys or waiting to get back out “On The Road” again, he had the entire crowd as his backing vocalist for pretty much his entire set. Some of the newer material might not shine as brightly as his greatest hits, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t stellar tunes int heir own right—it just speaks to the revered status his past works have garnered.
Late in his set, during “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”, a small army of special guests swarmed in, from fellow main stage performers like Steve Earle, Tami Nielson, other members of his family to delighted children and even Kermit The Frog of The Muppets (who also led Willie through a take on his signature tune, “Rainbow Connection”). Pointing to the heavens, Nelson captured the energy of the day by moving into sing-a-long “I’ll Fly Away” in front of a packed audience that loved him just as much as those on the stage did.
Willie Nelson & Kermit The Frog – Rainbow Connection – 3/14/24
[Video: JaysConcerts]
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