Willie Nelson to Play Beto O’Rourke Rally, Upsetting Some Fans

The country music singer will headline a campaign event for the first time ever.

(L-R) Mickey Raphael, Willie Nelson, Beto O'Rourke, Casey Kristofferson, Margo Price, Micah Nelson, and Ray Benson perform onstage with Willie Nelson and Family during the 45th Annual Willie Nelson 4th of July Picnic at Austin360 Amphitheater on July 4, 2018 in Austin, Texas.  (Photo by Rick Kern/WireImage)
(L-R) Mickey Raphael, Willie Nelson, Beto O'Rourke, Casey Kristofferson, Margo Price, Micah Nelson, and Ray Benson perform onstage with Willie Nelson and Family during the 45th Annual Willie Nelson 4th of July Picnic at Austin360 Amphitheater on July 4, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/WireImage)
WireImage

When Willie Nelson plays a rally for Texas Democratic candidate for Senate Beto O’Rourke on September 29, it will mark the first time the country legend has headlined a rally for a political campaign. While Nelson and O’Rourke’s association has been a story throughout the summer, the news sparked anger among some fans on Nelson’s Facebook page, according to an ABC 13 story.

Many of the complaints made in the comments section of Nelson’s page were familiar ones, ranging from personal insults to pleas for the musician to stay away from politics. Others supported Nelson’s entrance into electoral campaigning. Nelson will headline the event, along with Lukas and Micah Nelson (his sons), Joe Ely, Carrie Rodriguez, and Tameca Jones.

O’Rourke played on stage with Nelson at a July 4 concert. A press release put out by Nelson’s publicist read, “My wife Annie and I have met and spoken with Beto and we share his concern for the directions things are headed… Beto embodies what is special about Texas, an energy and an integrity that is completely genuine.”

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