SYRACUSE, N.Y. — At 92 years old, Willie Nelson has nothing left to prove. Yet on Sunday night at the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview, he reminded a crowd of nearly 15,000 fans why he remains one of America’s most enduring musical treasures, as reported by syracuse.com.
A Full Day of Music
The festival kicked off early in sweltering heat — with temps nearing 100 degrees — as Waylon Payne opened the event at 3:45 p.m. Payne not only delivered solo songs but also joined Nelson later on stage, honoring his family’s deep ties to country music. Other highlights included the Turnpike Troubadours, who brought Oklahoma’s red dirt country to the lawn, and The Red Clay Strays, who won the crowd with a mix of Americana, Southern rock, and their platinum hit Wondering Why.
And then, of course, came Bob Dylan. At 84, Dylan stayed close to his upright piano while delivering a set that leaned heavily into slow, blues-inspired tunes. Classics like All Along the Watchtower and Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right made appearances, though the subdued pacing drew mixed reactions from the crowd.
Nelson’s Commanding Presence
Taking the stage at 9:45 p.m., Nelson appeared under the glow of a massive American flag backdrop. Seated throughout his 65-minute performance, the country icon nonetheless radiated warmth and charisma. His voice, often soft and conversational, still carried emotion in songs like You Were Always On My Mind and Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.
He opened with Whiskey River and segued into a string of favorites: Funny How Time Slips Away (woven into a medley with Crazy and Night Life), Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys, and, of course, On the Road Again. The singalong moments underscored how deeply these songs remain etched in American culture.
Humor, Heart, and Honesty
Nelson’s charm has always come not just from his music, but from his personality. Fans laughed and cheered when he performed Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die, his playful 2012 collaboration with Snoop Dogg and Kris Kristofferson…