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Country music legend Willie Nelson holds one-night concert

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Willie Nelson (32165)
Willie Nelson

The Lancaster Performing Arts Center presents the return engagement of iconic Country music legend Willie Nelson Dec. 16.

With a career spanning more than 50 years and an 80th birthday this past April, Nelson shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to write, record, tour, collaborate with some of the music industry’s greatest artists, and perform his unique blend of Country music–a hybrid of Jazz, Blues, Pop, Rock and Folk–to sold-out audiences across the nation.

Born in Abbot, Texas, Nelson found his love for music with his first guitar at age six. He soon began writing “woeful” country songs, playing in polka bands and, as a teenager, at high school dances and in honky-tonks. He began selling his music in the 1950’s, and by the 1960’s was well known in Nashville as a songwriter. He sold his songs to well established singers such as Faron Young (“Hello Walls,” 1961), Patsy Cline (“Crazy,” 1962) and Roy Orbison (“Pretty Paper,” 1963).

In the 1970’s, Nelson reached stardom when he released his concept album “Red Headed Stranger” (1975), aligning himself with Country music “outlaws” Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson.

In 1985, he formed The Highwayman super-group with Jennings, Cash and Kristofferson, releasing three major label albums through 1995 while still spending time in the studio on compilation albums like “Half Nelson” in (1985) with Ray Charles, Leon Russell and Neil Young.

In 2002, amid touring and personal charity projects, the always prolific  Nelson released “The Great Divide” featuring duets and collaborations with Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, Brian McKnight, Bonnie Raitt and others, and in the process crossing over to the next generation of music listeners.

Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993 as a songwriter and performer, Nelson has played a vital role in post-Rock & Roll Country music and continues to influence young Country artists today. Between 2002 and 2012, Willie produced numerous studio and live albums with some of the industry’s best, from Shania Twain to Elvis Costello and Wynton Marsalis to Norah Jones. In addition, Nelson has new works scheduled for 2013.

Nelson will bring his unique brand of Country music to the Lancaster Performing Arts Center on Monday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. Seats are available at $67 and $62; Gold Circle seats are available at $100. Tickets may be purchased online at www.LPAC.org, by phone at (661) 723-5950 or in person at the center box office, 750 W. Lancaster Blvd. Box office hours are noon-6  p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon-4 p.m. Saturday.

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