Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday party is a year-long celebration – as it should be!
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While he celebrated the big 9-0 in April of this year, the party is extending into the final weeks of 2023 as CBS readies to air a concert special honoring the life and career of Nelson with some all-star guests and a performance by the icon himself.
Hosted by Jennifer Garner, Chelsea Handler, Woody Harrelson, Ethan Hawke, Helen Mirren and Owen Wilson, the special will air December 17 and stream on Paramount+. In addition to the A-List hosts, Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebration will, of course, feature several musical guests including Nelson’s sons, Lukas Nelson and Micah Nelson as well as George Strait and Chris Stapleton.
Other performers scheduled to take the stage include Beck, Gary Clark Jr., Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg, Norah Jones, Miranda Lambert, Dave Matthews and Keith Richards.
“It is the sincere privilege of our lives to have produced these shows celebrating our beloved Willie, and to partner with CBS to bring this special to fans around the world,” said Mark Rothbaum and Keith Wortman, creators and executive producers of the special. “Viewers will now have the chance to sing, and laugh, and cry and experience the joy of this celebration like never before.”
His 90th year turned out to be a big one in more ways than one for Nelson, who is scheduled to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tonight (November 3) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Other inductees include Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Rage Against the Machine and The Spinners. Additionally, DJ Kool Herc and Link Wray will be recognized for their "Musical Influence," Chaka Khan, Al Kooper, and Bernie Taupin for "Musical Excellence," as well as Don Cornelius who is set to receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
Fans can catch the Induction Ceremony live via Disney+ on Friday, November 3 at 8PM ET / 5PM PT. The entire show will also be available to stream following the ceremony. Additionally, ABC will air a special, “2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony,” featuring performance highlights and standout moments on Monday, January 1, available the next day on Hulu and Disney+.