Willie Nelson to ‘Throw Down’ With Jamey, Randy, Lee + More

Willie Nelson is throwing a party and not only has he invited some cool artists to join him, but he is hoping all of his fans come out and enjoy the festivities, as well.

The Red-Headed Stranger is headlining this year's Country Throwdown tour, which will also include Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Craig Campbell, Brantley Gilbert and Lukas Nelson & the Promise of the Real. The second annual outdoor amphitheater trek kicks off in Philadelphia, Pa., May 27 and is expected to wrap with a huge Fourth of July bash (at an as-yet-to-be-determined location). Additional dates will be announced soon.

Lee, who is obviously thrilled to be included on the tour, plans to shadow the headliner as much as he can without getting a restraining order against him. "The Throwdown tour is definitely going to be cool," Lee tells The Boot. "I'm going to spend as much time with Willie Nelson as much as I can during those three months. Whatever that entails, I'm going to be hanging out, if he'll have me. I've met him a couple of times, and he's always been sweet."

"Jamey's going to be out there and Randy, as well, and they're two of my buddies," Lee adds. "Golly, I'm going to get off the Higher Education tour with Jerrod Niemann and go straight into touring with Jamey and Randy and Willie. [laughs] I hope I live through this year! [laughs]"

"I'm really looking forward to the Throwdown Tour and working with Jamey, Randy and all the folks," states Willie. "It will be fun."

Jamey Johnson says the headliner is "an American Treasure," and it was just the matter of throwing Willie's name into the mix, which made the decision to go on the Throwdown tour very easy. "It was a simple yes," he says.

Jamey's buddy, Randy Houser, feels the same way, but has a few reservations. "To tour with someone as legendary as Willie Nelson is an honor, and to get to do that with my good buddies Jamey Johnson and Lee Brice makes this tour even better," explains Randy. "I joked during my last tour with Jamey that we would need rehab after the tour, but I can safely say that this tour is going to be even crazier! It's definitely going to be a throw down out there."

In addition to the main stage and a side stage, the Bluebird Café Stage will feature six singer-songwriters who will be announced at a later date. They will play in-the-round sets, as well as special performances on the main stage during set changes.

Ticket pre-sales begin Friday, February 11 and will be on-sale to the general public on February 18. A portion of the tickets sold will benefit Unite the United.

Doors are expected to open daily at 3:00 PM.

Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown tour dates:

May 27 - Philadelphia, Pa., The MANN

May 28 - Gilford, N.H., Meadowbrook US Cellular Pavilion

May 29 - Essex Junction, Vt., Champlain Valley Expo

June 3 - Nashville, Tenn., The Woods at Fontanel

June 4 - Little Rock, Ark., North Shore Park

June 11 - Sparta, Ill., World Shooting & Recreation Complex

June 16 - Roanoke Rapids, N.C., The Rapids Jam/(Part of the RAPIDS JAM three day festival)

June 17 - Simpsonville, S.C., Charter Ampitheater at Heritage Park

June 18 - Waldorf, Md., Regency Stadium

June 19 - Knoxville, Tenn., World's Fair Park

June 23 - Del Mar, Calif., Grandstand

June 24 - Ontario, Calif., Citizens Business Bank Arena

June 25 - Pozo, Calif., Pozo Saloon

June 30 - McAllen, Texas, Las Palmas Race Park

July 1 - Corpus Christi, Texas, Concrete Street Amphitheater

July 2 - Eufala, Okla., Eufala Cove Amphitheater