Watch Willie Nelson and His Son Micah Perform a Song Birthed From a Family Game of Chess

While showcasing his love for country music, Willie Nelson would go on to define the genre with hits like “Hello Walls”, “Pretty Paper”, and “Crazy.” Spending nearly 70 years on the stage, the hitmaker did more than sell millions of albums – he also grew a family. Much like his music career, Nelson’s love for companionship followed him throughout the years. But it appears that Nelson’s musical talent extended to his children. With Micah Nelson following in his father’s footsteps, the pair once joined forces at Farm Aid to perform “If I Die When I’m High I’ll Be Halfway to Heaven.” 

Focusing on farmers and their families, Farm Aid created the annual festival to honor their dedication to providing food for an entire country. Featuring great music and good food, the festival has become a hotbed for country music lovers. And when Farm Aid traveled to Hartford, Connecticut, fans received a special treat when Willie asked Micah to perform. 

[RELATED: Willie Nelson’s Hilarious Go-to Response Over Concerns About His Age]

Micah And Willie Nelson Came Up With The Song Over Chess

Gaining nearly 300,000 views since uploaded, fans gushed over the talent presented on stage that night. Comments included, “I confess I get a bit misty-eyed when I see my man play tunes and sing with our sons. With each heartbeat, a melody begins a million memories in songs him and our boys sing.” And with Lukas Nelson on stage too, one fan claimed, “Micah sounds like Willie when he was younger, Lukas sounds like Willie now. Can you imagine what their voices are going to be like as the mature more and more? Amazing family. I have music her for my grandchildren. The boys love the Martin and Yamaha guitars.”

Recalling how the song came about, Micah explained that it happened in 2020 over some games. “Sometime back in December 2020, in between endless rounds of chess and dominos, my dad looked up at me and said, ‘If I die when I’m high I’ll be halfway to heaven.’

Shocked by what Willie just said, Micah insisted, “It took me a second to process, but I said, ‘Dad, that’s the best song title I ever heard. You better write the rest of it quick.’ He said, ‘Why don’t you write it?’ So, I did. That night I wrote it for him, about him. It’s really just a love letter to him. A tribute.”

(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame )