ON MARCH 14, LUCK REUNION TOOK OVER THE COMMUNITY FOR A MAGICAL NIGHT OF MEMORIES IN THE LAND OF WILLIE NELSON.

THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND who signed to his first label in 1962 and joined The Grand Ole Opry in 1964, got to Austin in 1972, becoming a pinnacle pillar of the original Austin music scene. From shows at the Armadillo World Headquarters to playing ACL live 16 times and joining the Austin City Limits Hall of Hame in 2014, Willie Nelson is as relevant today as he was the day he signed.

PHOTO BY KATE LIDDY

With a popular Superbowl commercial in this past 2024 game and murals all over Austin constantly being put up and updated, there are few that come close to Nelson’s legendary legacy. Even fewer make an effort to help new artists using their own resources, but that is precisely why we love him and his lot…

Luck Reunion, the annual music and cultural event inspired by the work of Nelson, is known as the hottest ticket in town for a very good reason. “You’re either in luck... or you’re shit outta luck,” as he puts it best. The magical land oasis of musical history holds true to what Austin has stood for since Luck’s institution 12 years ago. Friends with a shared passion came together with an idea for a new kind of live music experience that, combined with having the keys to the private Luck, Texas property, was the recipe for success for over a decade-long love fest of friends, community and melodies.

PHOTO BY KATE LIDDY

“We call Willie the landlord,” says Ellee Fletcher Durniak, co-founder and partner of Luck Presents (luckpresents.com). Originally, just a party with some friends and great new artists boomed into a business and a reminder to stay true to your roots. Cultural heritage matters to Nelson, his family, and his partners. “We use this opportunity to help the community discover new talent. Set times aren’t released prior,” says Durniak, with the principle that you should “get to Luck as soon as [you] can and just spend the day discovering new artists.” Durniak says folks are all in it for the music, and Willie and Luck Presents are continually expanding the artistry. “Of course, there are headliners everyone knows and loves, like Willie, but at the core of old Austin is the whole, ‘I saw them way back when they were just beginning,’… and that happens at Luck,” he notes. “It truly is a reunion of artists, some of whom were discovered here in ATX.”

"AT THE CORE OF OLD AUSTIN IS THE WHOLE, ‘I SAW THEM WAY BACK WHEN THEY WERE JUST BEGINNING,’… AND THAT HAPPENS AT LUCK."-Ellee Fletcher Durniak

"IT IS ALWAYS AN AMAZING NIGHT UNDER THE HILL COUNTRY STARS IN THE MIDDLE OF LUCK,"-Ellee Fletcher Durniak

The night before Luck Reunion is the exclusive Potluck diner fundraiser, which sold out literally instantaneously, benefiting The Luck Family Foundation (luckpresents.com/foundation) in support of FarmAid, Wholesome Wave and Texas Food & Wine Alliance. “It is always an amazing night under the hill country stars in the middle of Luck,” says Durniak. Chefs from all over the country (including Texas, of course) fly in to cook for the extraordinary crowd of intimate legends and guests. With 2024’s theme being “Heirloom,” the chefs were encouraged to bring something meaningful and familial to the table. Best of luck getting tickets to this next year, folks. Especially knowing there was a Willie serenade tucked in the night with close ones. The good news is you can always donate to the salient cause.

PHOTO BY KATE LIDDY

Luck Reunion needs no frills and festival craziness to be the most anticipated music fest of the year. It’s impressively craved because of the feeling it evokes in its crowd of Texans and honest music lovers. “When you have good music, good people and are in the hill country with the sunset and the stars, there is nothing like it,” says Durniak. We can’t argue with you there! If you were lucky to have attended any of the past years, the newcomers envy you. Luck is something special every year, and we hope for our city’s sake it never ends.