Willie Nelson to get roasted, toasted, turn 75 on the road

Willie Nelson is the epitome of a modern-day renaissance man—the singer/songwriter, actor, author, activist, current Grammy nominee, environmentalist and, lately, conspiracy theorist, also has a wide comic streak amidst his legendary bandanna-ed braids.

In that spirit, Comedy Central has announced plans for an early-June roast of the Redheaded Stranger, who turns 75 on April 30 (and who possibly let the parbaked roast news out of the bag a bit ahead of schedule in an interview with Spinner.com). Not that age is anything but a number to Nelson, who released his latest album, Moment of Forever, on Jan. 29, and promptly kicked off a massive tour that will cross the Atlantic and includes a stop at Bonnaroo. (Certainly, it's just a coincidence that the European leg of the tour begins April 21 in Amsterdam.)

If you can't make it out to see Willie this year, consider a brilliantly weird LiveWillie.com USB drive/bracelet pre-loaded with the show of your choice. Conversely, If studio Willie is more your style, Legacy Recordings will release a plethora of aural goodies over the course of the year, starting with a 4-disc, 100-track box set/retrospective entitled One Hell of a Ride.

This Saturday, Feb. 9, MTV will return to playing music videos long enough to debut the star-and-astronaut-studded clip for "You Don't Think I'm Funny Anymore," the second single from Moment of Forever, with cameos from Owen Wilson, Dan Rather, Jessica Simpson, Woody Harrelson and Buddha knows who else. Nelson continues traipsing across TV sets nationwide with a Valentine's Night appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and a Feb. 22 rise-n-shine spot on The Today Show.

Thanks to Pop Candy for the Comedy Central roast tip!

And now, as Hot Chip says, "Half-nelson, full-nelson, Willie Nelson...Willie Nelson":

February
8 - San Luis Obispo, Calif. @ Madonna Inn Expo Center
9 - Reno, Nev. @ Peppermill Casino
10 - Monterey, Calif. @ Golden State Theatre
11 - Santa Rosa, Calif. @ Wells Fargo Center of the Arts
13 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Nokia Theatre
15 - Indio, Calif. @ Fantasy Springs Casino
16 - Flagstaff, Ariz. @ Ardrey Auditorium
17 - Farmington, N.M. @ McGee Park Convention Center

March
4 - Austin, Texas @ Travis County Expo Center
5 - Dallas, Texas @ Meyerson Symphony Center
6 - Dallas, Texas @ Meyerson Symphony Center
7 - Dodge City, Kan. @ Dodge City Civic Center
8 - Norman, Okla. @ Riverwind Casino
9 - Topeka, Kan. @ Kansas ExpoCentre Landon Arena
11 - Abilene, Texas @ Abilene Civic Center
12 - San Angelo, Texas @ San Angelo Coliseum
13 - Waco, Texas @ Heart of Texas Coliseum Waco
14 - Austin, Texas @ The Backyard
15 - Austin, Texas @ The Backyard
18 - Richmond, Va. @ The National
19 - Norfolk, Va. @ The NorVa Theatre
20 - Cherokee, N.C. @ Harrah's Cherokee Smokey Mount

April
21 - Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
23 - Esbjerg, Denmark @ Musikhuset Esbjerg Centre
24 - Randers, Denmark @ Vaerket
25 - Aalborg, Denmark @ Aalborg Kongres & Kulturcenter
27 - Malmo, Sweden @ Baltiska Hallen
28 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Berns Salonger
29 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Tivolis Concert Hall

May
1 - Oslo, Norway @ Oslo Concert Hall
2 - Hamar, Norway @ Hamar Ol Amfi
3 - Halden, Norway @ Halden Place D Armes
4 - Lyngdal, Norway @ Fibo Trespo Concert Hall
6 - Aberdeen, Scotland @ Music Hall
7 - Dundee, Scotland @ Caird Hall
8 - Glasgow, Scotland @ Clyde Auditorium
9 - Glasgow, Scotland @ Clyde Auditorium
11 - Manchester, England @ Manchester Apollo
13 - London, England @ Hammersmith Apollo
14 - London, England @ Hammersmith Apollo
15 - Antwerp, Belgium @ Queen Elizabeth Hall
16 - Paris, France @ Grand Rex Theatre

June
14 - St. Louis, Mo. @ Fox Theatre
21 - Tama, Iowa @ Meskwaki Bingo & Casino
22 - Wisconsin Dells, Wis. @ Crystal Grand Music Theatre
23 - Oneida, Wis. @ Oneida Ballroom
25 - Milwaukee, Wis. @ Northern Lights Theater
26 - Bayfield, Wis. @ Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua
27 - Council Bluffs, Iowa @ Harrah's Casino

Related links:
WillieNelson.com
Lost Highway: "Gravedigger" video feat. lots and lots of Willies
Youtube: Toby Keith and Willie Nelson's "Beer For My Horses"

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