Charley Crockett is on tour with the Outlaw Music Festival, continuing the run with dates in August. Photo: Jessica Waffles
It was a hot Texas day at Dos Equis Pavilion, with the Outlaw Music Festival bringing the heat with heaps of music talent gracing the stage.
Over the course of the day, Particle Kid, Allison Russell, Steve Earle & the Dukes, Charley Crockett, Brothers Osborne, Jason Isbell and Willie Nelson & Family played. Unfortunately, permission to photograph Willie & Family was not allowed.
Charley Crockett and the Blue Drifters at Outlaw Music Festival. Photo: Jessica Waffles
North Texas showed up and filled the venue for the Independence Day weekend event, sweating buckets and singing along to beloved songs by Charley Crockett, Grammy Award-winning acts Jason Isbell and Brothers Osborne, and the man, the myth, the legend: Willie Nelson.
Dos Equis Pavilion is just on the edge of Deep Ellum at Fair Park. During Crockett’s performance, he mentioned how he used to play all the clubs in the area along with his guitarist Alexis Sanchez and drummer Mario “Mayo” Valdez. It felt like a full circle moment, having seen him rise from the streets of DE to sharing a stage with the one and only Willie Nelson. Crockett’s perseverance prevailed, and Dallas is here for it.
John Osborne from Brothers Osborne at Outlaw Music Festival. Photo: Jessica Waffles
The Brothers Osborne are fresh off their Grammy win for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for their song “Younger Me,” making history as the first song about coming out as LGBTQ+ to win the prize. The act put on an energetic performance, keeping the event upbeat.
Four-time Grammy Award-winner Jason Isbell at Outlaw Music Festival. Photo: Jessica Waffles
There was a woman named June Roberts who told me that she traveled from New York to see Jason Isbell and Willie Nelson. “The lineup is just incredible.”
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit did not disappoint. The four-time Grammy Award-winning artist had the audience in the palm of his hand. When they played “Cover Me Up,” cheers echoed through the crowd before a hush filled the amphitheater as Isbell took the song to its peak and fireworks lit the sky in the distance. Though the whole set was stellar, that particular moment was rather magical.
Alexis Sanchez plays with Charley Crockett at Outlaw Music Festival. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Willie Nelson and Family (including his son Micah Nelson) closed out the night, playing old favorites like “Always on My Mind,” “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys,” and “On the Road Again.”
“I just released my 89th album on my 89th birthday,” Willie said. “And I’d like to play you the first song from the album, written for me by Chris Stapleton and Rodney Crowell.”
He then played “I’ll Love You Till The Day I Die,” from his most recent album A Beautiful Time.
At the end of the night, Willie invited the other acts from the show on stage to sing, “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” then threw his hat out the crowd before walking off stage.
Find more information on the Outlaw Music Festival tour here. The event runs all the way through September, 2022.
Grammy Award-winning duo Brothers Osborne played their signature sound at Outlaw Music Festival. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Charley Crockett comes back to Texas. Photo: Jessica Waffles
T.J. Osborne. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Sadler Vaden plays with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at Outlaw Music Festival. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Mario “Mayo” Valdez plays with Charley Crockett at Outlaw Music Festival. The drum head honors both Texas and Louisiana. Photo: Jessica Waffles
T.J. Osborne of the Brothers Osborne. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at Outlaw Music Festival. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Charley Crockett. Photo: Jessica Waffles
John Osborne of Brothers Osborne at Outlaw Music Festival. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Sadler Vaden at Outlaw Music Festival. Photo: Jessica Waffles
T.J. Osborne sported a sparkling cowboy hat for his set during Outlaw Music Festival. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Adam Box plays with Brothers Osborne at Outlaw Music Festival. Photo: Jessica Waffles
John Osborne. Photo: Jessica Waffles
Jessica Waffles is a freelance photographer/videographer and regular contributor to KXT.
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