Willie Nelson Delivers All-Star Jam During Rock Hall Induction

Willie Nelson took the stage throughout his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction on Friday evening (Nov. 3), performing a number of of his best hits alongside an all-star lineup to mark the event.

The 90-year-old nation music icon carried out alongside fellow 2023 inductee Sheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton and Dave Matthews throughout the induction ceremony, which came about in New York City on Friday evening.

He traded verses with Stapleton on “Whiskey River,” harmonized with Crow on “Crazy” and wrapped the night with an all-star rendition of “On the Road Again.”

“Thank all y’all for this great honor,” Nelson stated in his acceptance speech (quote through American Songwriter). “I appreciate the acknowledgment of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, included with so many legends, and some I’m lucky enough to call a friend. It’s been a long ride from my first DJ job to being here with y’all.”

“And as a DJ, I was playing those first songs by Elvis,” Nelson added. “I remember writers calling that rockabilly rather than rock and roll, and I never did pay much attention to categories, and I’m not sure the fans did either.”

Nelson went on to acknowledge a few of his different buddies who’ve been inducted through the years, together with Jerry Lee Lewis and Ray Charles. He took the chance to highlight a few of his buddies and colleagues who haven’t but been inducted, too.

“Folks also like the music I made with my Highwaymen, my brothers,” Nelson noticed. “That was fun with [Johnny] Cash and Waylon and Kris Kristofferson. And now that Johnny [Cash} and I’ve been inducted I want to give a plug for Waylon … and Kris, who sang so many hits, to be inducted too.”

Nelson additionally thanked his band, his skilled group and his spouse, Annie, for “keeping me out here doing what I was put here to do. Thank you. Thanks again for including me tonight. And thanks for appreciating my music.”