Renowned country music icon Willie Nelson recently opened up about a terrifying health scare he faced while on tour with his band. At 90 years old, Nelson continues to tour the United States with the Nelson Family band, showcasing his enduring commitment to his musical craft.
During a tour last year, Nelson had to make the difficult decision to cancel the band’s Jazz Fest headlining gig. This was after discovering that a member of the Willie Nelson Family Band had tested positive for COVID-19. Surprisingly, it was later revealed that it was actually Nelson himself who had contracted the virus.
In the middle of the night, on his tour bus, Nelson woke up struggling to breathe. It was a frightening moment for him. His fears were confirmed when a rapid PCR test confirmed that he had indeed contracted COVID-19. Given his age, the situation was even more serious, as he was more vulnerable to the virus.
To aid in his recovery, Willie’s wife, Annie, shared the measures they took. They had a nebulizer on the bus and started using it immediately, along with other treatments like Paxlovid, monoclonal antibodies, and steroids. They transformed their home in Spicewood, Texas into a makeshift hospital and enlisted an entire medical unit to monitor Nelson’s recovery.
Recalling these stressful events, Annie admitted that there were moments when she wasn’t sure if he would make it. It was a difficult road to recovery, but after six days, Nelson found the strength to return to the stage. Just two weeks later, he resumed his touring schedule with shows in New Braunfels, Texas.
Despite the harrowing experience, Nelson maintained his trademark wit and said, “COVID ain’t nothing to laugh at, that’s for sure.”
After the shocking COVID scare, Willie Nelson and his Family Band continued to tour and even attended the Farm Aid 2022 Music Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina in September. The festival featured a stellar lineup of artists, including John Mellencamp, Margo Price, Chris Stapleton, and Sheryl Crow, among others.
We would love to hear your thoughts on Willie Nelson’s terrifying ordeal. Share your comments below!
