In the world of music festivals, few have captured the raw, rebellious spirit of Americana quite like the Outlaw Music Festival. What began as a single, sold-out show in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 2016 has since blossomed into one of North America’s most celebrated annual touring franchises. At its heart is the legendary Willie Nelson, whose vision for a day of unfiltered music, community, and freedom laid the foundation for a cultural phenomenon. From its modest debut to its star-studded evolution, here’s the story of how the Outlaw Music Festival was born. Birth of the Outlaw Music Festival!

The Spark in Scranton

The Outlaw Music Festival kicked off on September 18, 2016, at Montage Mountain in Scranton, a city not typically synonymous with musical revolutions. Yet, it was the perfect launchpad for a festival rooted in authenticity. Willie Nelson & Family headlined the inaugural event, joined by heavyweights like Neil Young + Promise of the Real, Sheryl Crow, and Lee Ann Womack. The lineup alone signaled this wasn’t your average festival—it was a gathering of artists who’d spent decades defying norms, much like the outlaw country movement Nelson helped pioneer in the 1970s.

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The Scranton show sold out, drawing fans eager for a taste of live music that felt real, unpolished, and free from corporate gloss. Blackbird Presents, alongside Nelson and his longtime manager Mark Rothbaum, saw the potential in that electric night. What started as a one-off became a blueprint for a touring festival that would celebrate the outlaw spirit—music that bucks trends and speaks to the soul.

Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Legacy – Birth of the Outlaw Music Festival

To understand the festival’s birth, you have to look at Willie Nelson himself. By 2016, Nelson was already a living legend, a Texas troubadour who’d rewritten country music’s rules. In the ‘70s, he and peers like Waylon Jennings rejected Nashville’s polished sound, embracing a raw, genre-blending style dubbed “outlaw country.” That ethos—creative freedom, authenticity, and a touch of rebellion—became the festival’s DNA.

Nelson didn’t just lend his name to the Outlaw Music Festival; he infused it with his philosophy. “It’s always been about family and friends coming together for a great day of music and fun,” he said ahead of the 2024 tour. Partnering with Blackbird Presents and Live Nation, Nelson envisioned a platform where legends and rising stars could share the stage, unbound by genre or expectation.

Growing Into a Franchise

After Scranton’s success, the festival didn’t stay static—it hit the road. By 2017, it had expanded into a multi-city tour, bringing its unique blend of music, food trucks, and local vendor villages to amphitheaters nationwide. The lineups grew bolder, featuring icons like Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and Bonnie Raitt alongside modern trailblazers like Sturgill Simpson and The Avett Brothers. Each year, the festival evolved, but its core remained: a celebration of artists who color outside the lines.

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The Outlaw Music Festival’s growth wasn’t just about scale—it was about staying true to its roots. Unlike glitzy mega-fests, it prioritized intimate, fan-focused experiences. Venues like Pine Knob Music Theatre and Bethel Woods became yearly staples, offering vibrant settings where music took center stage over spectacle. By 2025, marking its 10th anniversary, the tour boasted 35 stops across 22 states, with a lineup including Nelson, Dylan, Billy Strings, and Sheryl Crow—a testament to its enduring appeal.

A Family Affair – Birth of the Outlaw Music Festival

From the start, the festival was a family affair, both literally and figuratively. Willie Nelson & Family, featuring his son Lukas Nelson, anchored every show, reinforcing the communal vibe. Behind the scenes, producers Keith Wortman of Blackbird Presents and Rothbaum kept the vision alive, curating lineups that bridged generations. “It’s grown into this incredible family of artists,” Wortman noted in 2024, highlighting the camaraderie that defines each performance.

That sense of family extends to the fans. The Outlaw Music Festival isn’t just a concert—it’s a lifestyle experience, complete with craft food, drinks, and shopping. It’s a place where hippies, rednecks, and everyone in between can share a beer and a song, echoing the inclusive spirit of Nelson’s outlaw heyday.

From Humble Beginnings to Stardom

What began in Scranton has become a cultural touchstone. By 2025, the festival’s 10th anniversary tour showcased its biggest lineup yet, with names like Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and Trampled by Turtles joining the fold. It’s a far cry from that first night in Pennsylvania, but the heart remains unchanged: music that’s honest, artists who are fearless, and a community that thrives on connection.

The Outlaw Music Festival’s journey from Scranton to stardom proves that a simple idea—rooted in authenticity and fueled by a legend—can resonate far beyond its origins. As Willie Nelson himself might say, it’s just a bunch of folks getting together to play some tunes. But for fans across the country, it’s so much more—a rebellion worth celebrating, one song at a time.