Willie Nelson Band HIt With COVID-19, Jazz Fest And Other Gigs Canceled?

Another music act is hit with COVID-19 this week - and this time, its Country legend Willie Nelson's band. With the existing commitments, they have this coming week; it looks like a lot of adjustments will take place.

Willie Nelson Cancels Headlining Gig and Upcoming Concerts

Rolling Stone reports that a member of Willie Nelson's touring band has tested positive for COVID-19; this prompted the band to cancel their headlining act at the Jazz Fest on Sunday.

Since the festival will only happen on the day, organizers of the Jazz Fest have decided to replace Willie Nelson with multi-platinum country-rock band Zach Brown Band.

Aside from this replacement, Nelson's other commitments were also adjusted because of the current problem.

"Due to a positive Covid case in the Willie Nelson Family Band, the Franklin, TN show at the FirstBank Amphitheater tonight and the Brandon Amphitheater in Brandon, MS on May 7 will be postponed to June 17 in Brandon, MS and June 19 in Franklin, TN," the band said in their website.

The exact number of band members who contracted the virus was not specified.

"Both postponed shows will feature the entire original lineup including Willie Nelson and Family, Charley Crockett and Drayton Farley. The performance at the New Orleans Jazz Festival scheduled on May 8 will be canceled," they wrote.

The country icon's tour is expected to resume in New Braunfels, Texas, from May 27 to 28, for a two-night stand. The website also reported that the gigs should proceed as scheduled.

Willie Nelson was not the only act who pulled out of Jazz Fest at the last minute.

Country rock singer Melissa Etheridge is also scheduled to perform today at Jazz Fest. However, announced on Thursday that she will also be dropping out as one of her band was also hit with the deadly virus.

Aside from Jazz Fest, Etheridge also had to cancel her Graceland act. Gospel icon Mavis Staples shall be replacing Etheridge's now vacant spot on the star-studded lineup.

Jon Batiste was also hit with the virus, prompting him to cancel his much-anticipated debut at the Carnegie Hall for the premiere of "American Symphony." The GRAMMY-winning artist also had to drop out on his bandleader duties at the "Late Show with Stephen Colbert."

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