“Thanks for coming to my dad’s birthday party,” says Willie’s youngest son, Micah, who performs as Particle Kid and who’s bringing some spacey art-rock vibes to the concert with help from Daniel Lanois, the sound-sculpting producer who oversaw Nelson’s 1998 album “Teatro.” Together they’re doing a dreamy-churchy rendition of “The Ghost,” which Micah introduced as “a song my dad wrote about 70 years ago.” - M.W.ħ:32 p.m. He said he’s been reading books about Nelson lately and that it’s been comforting for him to “see another person who started in backrooms in Texas and then made it at an older age on his own terms.” - E.O.ħ:31 p.m. In conversation with me backstage, Crockett drew many parallels between his winding road to the music industry and Nelson’s. Charley Crockett, fellow Texas native, is here to do “The Party’s Over,” and his buttery baritone voice is perfect for it. What we’re all gathered here to celebrate, according to Ethan Hawke, who just appeared onstage in a silky peach-colored suit: “The love of music, the love of storytelling, the love of Willie Nelson.” - M.W.ħ:18 p.m.

They’re dancing in the aisles, and we’re just getting started. It’s safe to say that folks are loving Billy Strings’ versions of “Whiskey River” and “Stay All Night,” particularly the plucky solos. session scene heavy hitters, among them keyboardist Benmont Tench and guitarist Greg Leisz. As Willie himself has been doing onstage for decades, the young bluegrass phenom Billy Strings - who just dropped a duet with Nelson called “California Sober” - is opening the show with “Whiskey River.” Tonight’s house band, by the way, is being led by producer Don Was and includes some L.A. As Ethan Hawke told me backstage: “Willie Nelson will never die.” Given this turnout, I believe it.

It’s great to be here with Mikael at the 90th birthday celebration of an American icon. Hello! I’m Erin Osmon, author, music journalist, critic and big-time Willie Nelson enthusiast. If you don’t love dogs and Willie, we can’t be friends.” - Mikael Woodħ:06 p.m. Asked whether she knows anyone who doesn’t love Willie Nelson, she said, “No - I’m not friends with those people. Backstage, some of the evening’s many performers are walking the red carpet, including Miranda Lambert in a powder-blue western-style suit.

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