Willie Nelson Headlines Outlaws & Legends Music Fest in Abilene

Willie Nelson headlines the 10th-anniversary edition of Outlaws & Legends Music Fest, March 20-21, 2020. Billed as the “largest one-stage country music event in Texas,” Outlaws & Legends is held at the Back Porch of Texas, just north of Abilene.

Country Music Hall of Famer Nelson’s storied career (13 Grammys, 10 Country Music Association Awards, CMA Lifetime Achievement Award, and 7 American Music Awards) includes 14 #1 hits. The Texas music icon was also a 1998 Kennedy Center Honors recipient.

Outlaws & Legends Draws Capacity Crowds

Photo: Heather Turner Photography

“Willie is the quintessential outlaw and legend, and to have him grace our stage is the ultimate way to celebrate our milestone tenth anniversary,” said Mark Powell, festival founder and host. Powell will also perform along with fellow country music stars Randy Houser, Kevin Fowler, Deana Carter, and Radney Foster. Also performing will be Charley Crockett, Cooder Graw, The Great Divide, and Mike & The Moonpies. Jamie Richards, Curtis Grimes, Jerrod Medulla, and The Hamiltons are also featured.

Outlaws & Legends draws capacity crowds to every performance, averaging 13,300 patrons a day. This year’s festival is fully expected to sell out months in advance once more, even with its increased capacity of 14,500 per day. Country music fans of all ages, from all 50 states and some 13 different countries, attend the award-winning music festival.

Organizer Mark Powell

Photo: Rock Williams

Outlaws & Legends has grown to include 450 RV spots and 42 tailgate spots. The festival also offers eight VIP patio sections, six VIP balcony suites, four VIP skyboxes, and three enclosed VIP suites. There’s a 10,000 square foot dance floor, plus general seating for over 13,000 patrons. Outlaws & Legends in 2020 even boasts a four-story teepee.

Advance general admission tickets are good for the whole weekend, and they’re on sale for $54 through Dec. 1. After that date the price increases to $65. Tailgates, Music Row packages, 1st row RV spots, VIP skyboxes, and patio spots are sold out, but several VIP and RV spots are still available.

Photo: Rock Williams

Ben Richey Boys Ranch receives 25% of all ticket proceeds. Since 2011, the Backporch Productions festival has generated more than $1.6 million for Abilene nonprofits.

For festival information, including full lineup and schedule, or to purchase tickets, please visit outlawsandlegends.com, or call (325) 280-6054. The Back Porch of Texas is located at 3350 N. Clack Street in Abilene. For information about lodging or other things to do in Abilene while visiting, see abilenevisitors.com.