Willie Nelson Set to Throwdown at Fourth of July Picnic

Willie Nelson is bringing his wildly popular Fourth of July picnic back to the Fort Worth Stockyards this year as a wrap-up to the Country Throwdown Tour. The Stockyards hosted the picnic from 2004-2006, and this year the festivities will break new ground as they will take place inside and outside of famed nightclub Billy Bob's Texas.

The final stop of the Throwdown tour will feature performances by Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Craig Campbell and Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, along with Alabama artist Drake White. The picnic will also feature performances by traditional guests including Ray Price, David Allan Coe, Paula Nelson, and more.

Due to the inside/outside areas of this year's picnic, only a limited number of tickets will be available for the event, and it's expected to sell out fast. Another unique element added this year will be the Bluebird Café' stage, which will feature up-and-coming singer/songwriters in an in-the-round style, much like fans can see at the famed Bluebird Café' in Nashville. Artists Adam Hood, Caitlyn Smith, Austin Lucas, Brent Cobb, Dani Flowers, and Erin Enderlin will perform on this special stage throughout the day's events.

Country Weekly magazine has signed on as official sponsor of the tour and will be producing a special free souvenir program for all Throwdown dates. They'll also host a special tent onsite where fans can sign up for subscriptions and get autographs from their favorite Throwdown artists.

When not "throwing down" around the country, Willie has been busy promoting his numerous worthy causes, including a new one, Tents for Troops. The organization provides free camping for active duty military members, and Willie recently gave the program a hand in spreading the word when he mentioned it on Facebook and Twitter. Following Willie's mention, the website received triple the amount of page views and exposure, helping spread the word about the organization.

Willie has also teamed up with Wynton Marsalis on a new Ray Charles tribute album, 'Here We Go Again: Celebrating the Genius of Ray Charles.' It's the second time the two have collaborated on disc. In 2007, they teamed up for a special jazz album recorded live at Lincoln Center. This time, they brought Norah Jones in on the fun, and she sings on such familiar Ray Charles classics as 'Come Rain or Come Shine' and 'You Don't Know Me.' All three team up for rousing versions of 'What I'd Say' and 'Hit The Road, Jack' on the new collection.