TEXAS: Willie Nelson To Headline Beto O’Rourke Rally

Roll Call reports:

Willie Nelson may be getting up there in years, but there’s always time for firsts. And for the first time ever, the 85-year-old country music star will take the stage to perform on behalf of a political candidate.

Nelson is the headline act for a rally in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 29 for Rep. Beto O’Rourke, the Democratic Texas Senate candidate who has gained national fame for his punk rock past and a viral video of him defending NFL players who kneel during the national anthem to protest racial inequality.

“My wife Annie and I have met and spoken with Beto and we share his concern for the direction things are headed,” Nelson said in a statement, Rolling Stone reported. “Beto embodies what is special about Texas, an energy and an integrity that is completely genuine.”

Back in July, Nelson brought O’Rourke up on his concert stage to play guitar during his closing number, “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.” For real.