The legendary country music singer and inspiration Willie Nelson recently revealed a health scare he had earlier this year. Willie still tours the US with the Nelson Family band at 89, demonstrating his passion to his work.

After a Nelson Family Band member tested positive for COVID-19 on a tour last May, Willie Nelson had to cancel their Jazz Fest Headlining Gig. It was eventually revealed that Willie caught the infection.

Willie woke up on his tour bus gasping in the night, a terrifying feeling for anyone. His quick PCR result verified his greatest fears—he had COVID-19. Age made Willie vulnerable to the infection, worsening the situation.

Anne Nelson, Willie’s wife, described their recovery efforts. “I had a bus nebulizer. I started Paxlovid and everything else then. He had monoclonal antibodies. “He had steroids,” she said. To provide Willie the greatest treatment, they turned their Spicewood, Texas house into a hospital and hired a whole medical unit.

After those difficult days, Anne said, “There were a couple of times when I wasn’t sure he was going to make it.” After six days of healing, Willie was ready to perform again. Two weeks later, he resumed touring in New Braunfels, Texas.

Willie Nelson’s COVID-19 struggle shows the virus’s seriousness. Despite his hardships, Willie says, “COVID ain’t nothing to laugh at, that’s for sure.” His tenacity inspires us all.

On September 24, Willie Nelson and his Family Band will headline the Farm Aid 2022 Music Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina. John Mellencamp, Margo Price, Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow, and others will perform with him. We should celebrate music and the human spirit together.