Photos: Willie Nelson in Austin through the years

Willie Nelson performs with the Austin Symphony to christen the new Austin City Limits studio at the W Hotel on February 13, 2011.

Willie Nelson performs with Little Joe Hernandez at the Willie Nelson's 4th of July picnic event on July 4, 1990.

Charles Roitsch, left, shows off his bicep he had signed by Willie Nelson, center, while having his picture made with the musician and Steve Miller, right, at Waterloo Records on Thursday, Feb. 26. 2009. Asleep at the Wheel were performing at the store when, a few songs in, Nelson made a surprise appearance and joined them onstage to sing about a dozen songs.

Willie Nelson performs at The Backyard on March 28, 2003.

Willie Nelson smiles and poses with a cup of cold water from the Water from Air water cooler that he and Runtex owner, Paul Carrozo are teaming up to market during a visit to Nelson's World Headquarters on Friday, September 12, 2008.

Austin music legend Willie Nelson celebrated his 81st birthday one day early by being presented with his fifth-degree black belt in Gong Kwon Yu Sul by Master Um of Master Martial Arts in Austin, TX. Nelson holds a flower given to him by Ava Golab, 6, as the crowd serenaded him a chorus of Happy Birthday. Nelson has been studying for twenty years and finally reached the lofty status of Master, as he was presented in a ceremony on April 28, 2014.

Austin music legend Willie Nelson celebrated his 81st birthday one day early by being presented with his fifth-degree black belt in Gong Kwon Yu Sul by Master Um of Master Martial Arts in Austin, TX. Sam Um presents Nelson with a certificate and scroll signifying his status of Master. Nelson has been studying for twenty years and finally reached the lofty status of Master, as he was presented in a ceremony on April 28, 2014.

Willie Nelson performs at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock on Tuesday Aug. 4, 2009.

An undated promo photo of Willie Nelson.

Willie Nelson performs at the Willie Nelson's 4th of July picnic event in Zilker Park on July 4, 1990.

Willie Nelson performs at the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo on Tuesday March 4, 2008.

Willie Nelson accepts the Bridging Divides Award from UT's Project on Conflict Resolution given to him by Director Madeline Maxwell, right, at the Frank Erwin Center on Friday Oct. 19, 2007.

Willie Nelson in 1982.

Willie Nelson at the Back Yard in Austin on August 10, 2007, with Ray Benson joining in at background right.

Willie Nelson works out with Master Teacher Sam Um at Um's Gym Kick & Box in Austin on March 14, 2005. Nelson, who earned his black belt in Tai Kwon Do at the age of 70, is preparing for fight scenes in Newline Cinema's western "Life Is A Hoss" which have been choreographed by Um for the movie. Um has been Nelson's instructor for about 10 years.

Willie Nelson relaxes on his tour bus before performing at the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo on Tuesday March 4, 2008.

Willie Nelson has a speed bag mounted on the ceiling of his bedroom in his tour bus so he can practice his punches for fight scenes in Newline Cinema's western "Life Is A Hoss" on March 14, 2005. Nelson, who earned his black belt in Tai Kwon Do at the age of 70, is working again with Master Teacher Sam Um of Austin. Um has been Nelson's instructor for about 10 years.

Austin Mayor Roy Butler and Willie Nelson in 1974.

Country music legend Willie Nelson gets to know one-year-old Andrew Dittmar at the grand opening of Nelson's Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Austin on Thursday Dec. 16, 2004. Andrew's mother, Kimberly Dittmar, won a KVET contest to get to meet Willie Nelson.

The Willie Nelson statue in downtown Austin on Wednesday February 24, 2021.

John Paul DeJoria introduces Willie Nelson at The Backyard on Sunday, October 26, 2008.

Willie Nelson performs at Willie Nelson's Tsunami Relief Concert at the Austin Music Hall on Sunday January 9, 2005.

Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, left, laughs at a comment made by Willie Nelson during a press conference at the Austin Music Hall in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, January 3, 2004.

Willie Nelson in 1985.

Willie Nelson performs at Willie Nelson's Tsunami Relief Concert at the Austin Music Hall on Sunday January 9, 2005.

A woman from the audience hands Willie Nelson a bouquet of flowers just before he began playing on February 13, 2011. Nelson and the Austin Symphony christened the new Austin City Limits studio at the W Hotel.

Willie Nelson performs at the final show at The Backyard on Sunday, October 26, 2008.

Server Tom Slater (left) gets an autograph from country music legend Willie Nelson at the grand opening of Nelson's Texas Roadhouse restaurant on Thursday Dec. 16, 2004.

Willie Nelson is congratulated as he walks up to accept the Bridging Divides Award from UT's Project on Conflict Resolution at the Frank Erwin Center on Friday Oct. 19, 2007.

Left to right, Ray Benson, Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovett perform at the Grand Opening of the Long Center on Saturday March 29, 2008.

Willie Nelson takes a victory lap around the arena after performing at the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo on Tuesday March 4, 2008.

Country music legend Willie Nelson (left) and singer Pat Green visit in front a a mural of country superstars (Green is not in the mural) at the grand opening of Willie Nelson's Texas Roadhouse restaurant on Thursday Dec. 16, 2004. The mural was created by David Carter.