Outlaw troubadour and Farm Aid champ Willie Nelson (pictured) brings his Great Divide Tour to the Triangle on the heels of his star-studded release by the same name, which features artists ranging from Kid Rock to Bonnie Raitt covering Nelson’s material. One of the first artists to rebel against the Nashville establishment, Nelson has nevertheless penned a batch of tunes that’s given him the kind of respect shown only to the big dogs. Not content to rest on his laurels, the red-headed Texan keeps stretching as an artist, recently releasing his first blues album, Milk Cow Blues, which paired him with the likes of Dr. John and B.B. King. He’s also recorded two discs as a member of country-legend supergroup the Highwaymen, and his songs have even inspired an indie-rock tribute album, Twisted Willie. Joining him for the show are two acts from country’s latest generation: The Lost Trailers, a band handpicked by the songwriter, and fellow Lost Highway artist and local Tift Merritt, who’s been getting a lot of ink for her major label debut, Bramble Rose. Hear Nelson and company croon under the stars this Saturday, Aug. 17 at the Regency Park Amphitheatre in Cary. Call 834-4000 for details. –Angie Carlson
