Willie Nelson Returns to Baylor 38 Years After Campus Rift

(KNUE-FM) Everyone in Texas knows that Willie Nelson is a music icon. But the legendary musician had a falling out with Baylor University 38 years ago, but it seems like that disagreement has now gone up in smoke. According to My SA, Willie Nelson will be returning to Baylor University for his first concert since being banned from the campus back in November of 1988.

Why Willie Nelson and Baylor Fell Out in the 1980s

Willie Nelson & Family will perform at the same school that Willie attended back in 1954. The world’s largest Baptist university announced the concert would take place at Baylor Ballpark in Waco on May 14.

Back in 1987 Willie Nelson was scheduled to play at the newly built Ferrell Center basketball arena. But the concert never happened and a Baylor spokesperson told a reporter that Nelson failed to be “a positive influence to many young people, as well as older people throughout America.”

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Was Willie Nelson Actually Banned From Baylor?

After the falling out, for decades, the student body has asked for Willie to return to campus. In 2019 there was a petition created to “Free Willie” and “celebrate Baylor University’s greatest alum” but obviously, that never ended up happening.

The current Baylor President Linda Livingstone said, "There's long been a rumor that Willie had been ‘banned’ from campus, but we are not aware of any such ban. I look forward to welcoming Willie home to Baylor and Central Texas, along with his Family, his fellow Baylor Bears, and the Waco community for a momentous concert event at Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark.”

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When Willie Nelson Baylor Concert Tickets Go On Sale

While Baylor is a dry campus, there will be beer available for purchase at the show. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 10, at 10 a.m.