Are you ready for the country?

That most legendary of country outlaws, Willie Nelson, hits these shores in June for shows at the Waterfront, Belfast (20th); Gleneagles, Killarney (21st); and City West, Dublin (22nd).

Nelson is currently enjoying something of a renaissance, thanks to a new album, The Great Divide, which includes contributions from Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, Bonnie Raitt, Lee Ann Womack and Matchox 20's Rob Thomas who helped put the whole thing together.

"I'd met Rob and he and I got to be good buddies," Nelson enthuses. "He'd just done this album with Matt Serletic which had been a huge success for him, and we talked about recording together. And one thing lead to another."

As for his grueling schedule, the Texan says: "People keep asking me when I'm going to retire. I tell them all I do is play music and golf. Which one am I supposed to give up?"