Willie Nelson's annual Fourth of July Picnic will be a virtual event due to COVID-19 concerns

SPICEWOOD, Texas — Willie Nelson’s annual Fourth of July Picnic is going ahead this year, but to reduce concerns about the coronavirus, the event will be virtual.

Fans can tune in to the nearly 50-year-old music bash Saturday via luck.stream and williepicnic.com. Tickets for the picnic are on sale at williepicnic.com.

Other performers expected to play include Sheryl Crow, Ziggy Marley, Steve Earle and Nelson’s fellow Texas-based singers Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen and Kinky Friedman.

Some of the artists will perform at Nelson’s Luck Ranch in Spicewood, northwest of Austin. Others will stream live from elsewhere.

Nelson’s event started in 1972 and has been held most years since, moving around Texas and occasionally outside the Lone Star State. It typically draws thousands.

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The 87-year-old Nelson’s 70th album was released Friday. “First Rose of Spring” features two new tunes plus Nelson’s take on songs by Toby Keith and Chris Stapleton.

Last year, Nelson was forced to cancel some of his tour dates due to a health issue.

"To my fans, I’m sorry to cancel my tour," he tweeted August 2019, "but I have a breathing problem that I need to have my doctor check out." 

The musician assured his more than 680,000 followers: "I’ll be back" and signed off, "Love, Willie".

Nelson had several dates left on his tour, according to his website.

Contributing: Erin Jensen