This calls for a celebration as renowned vocalist and Grand Ole Opry member Gene Watson announces his upcoming tour – 80th Birthday + 80 Tour Dates – the 2023 Celebration Tour. The Texas native kicked off his tour on Jan. 14 in Huntsville, Texas and will be on the road all the way through Dec. 15 in Tomball, Texas, where the tour will conclude. Along the way he will be making stops in various states such as South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Missouri, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. See the full list of tour dates below and to purchase tickets click HERE.
The tour will showcase his most recent album Outside the Box, which was released in Sept. 2022. The album was ranked number four by Country Music People magazine’s editor on the Critics Choice list of 2022, stating Watson is, “As good as ever.” Outside the Box features 12 tracks of Watson’s signature vocals with newly recorded songs as well as re-imagined hits across multiple genres, from Merle Haggard to Etta James.
“I may not be going around the world in 80 days but spending my 80th birthday with 80 tour dates and singing to fans across the country is just as exciting to me,” Watson shared.
Watson’s first single “If It’s That Easy” was released to radio in 1962 via Sun Valley Records. Since then, the ‘singer’s singer’ has charted 75 titles including 23 Top 10 hits, six No. 1 country singles and five No. 1 gospel records. Watson continues to perform to sold-out crowds, singing in the same key as he did more than five decades ago and thrilling fans with his famous octave-jumping ending to “Farewell Party” night after night.