• Children 2 and under are free on the lawn for this event and do not need a ticket. All ages will require a ticket in the GA Pit & Reserved Areas. 

​​​​​​​Taxes & Fees:

• Koka Booth Amphitheatre uses all-in pricing. The total price listed on the purchase page includes ticket fees, excluding any applicable taxes.
• When purchasing in person at the Box Office a 3% processing fee will be added to each order, plus tax. No other ticket fees will be applied. 

All dates, times, acts & ticket prices are subject to change without notice.

Koka Booth Amphitheatre has enhanced it's public safety policy to include a clear bag policy. 

Allowed:

• Bags 6"x 8" or smaller are permitted.
• Clear bag that does not exceed 12" x12" x 9".
• Medical and parenting bags. 

All bags are subject to search. 

With a seven-decade career, Willie Nelson has earned every conceivable award as a musician and amassed reputable credentials as an author, actor, and activist. He continues to thrive as a relevant and progressive musical and cultural force. In recent years, he has delivered more than a dozen new albums, released a Top 10 New York Times' bestsellers book, again headlined Farm Aid (an event he co-founded in 1985), his annual Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic, been honored by the Library of Congress with their Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, received his 5th degree black belt in Gong Kwon Yu Sul, headlined the annual Luck Reunion food and music festival during SXSW as well as the annual Outlaw Music Festival Tour, launched his cannabis companies Willie's Reserve and Willie's Remedy, and graced the covers of Rolling Stone and AARP The Magazine. Nelson started this decade by releasing four albums of newly recorded music—First Rose of Spring (2020), That’s Life (2021), The Willie Nelson Family (2021), and A Beautiful Time (2022, GRAMMY Award winner for Best Country Album)—and three books—Me and Sister Bobbie: True Tales of The Family Band (2020), Willie Nelson’s Letters to America (2021), and Me and Paul: Untold Tale of a Fabled Friendship (2022). Throughout 2023, Willie celebrates his 90th birthday with multiple projects and events including a two-night star-studded concert at the famed Hollywood Bowl, Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90, that was released as a feature film and a televised broadcast special. The year began with the debut of "Wille Nelson & Family," a new five-part film documentary series directed by Thom Zimny and Oren Moverman that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival as well as the release of a new album, I Don’t Know a Thing About Love, which features 10 performances that pay tribute to American songwriter Harlan Howard. Last year also welcomed two new releases: the GRAMMY nominated album, Bluegrass (with newly recorded studio performances of 12 Willie Nelson-penned classics showcasing Willie with a bluegrass ensemble), and a new book, Energy Follows Thought (with stories behind the lyrics of 160 of his favorite songs, along with never-before-seen photos and ephemera). To cap the momentous year, Nelson was inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2024, Nelson expanded his depth of work with the release of two new albums and a new book. The month of May saw the arrival of the studio album The Border, which includes Willie's versions of 10 contemporary country songs, and four new compositions with Buddy Cannon. And in November he released a cookbook co-authored with his wife, Willie and Annie Nelson's Cannabis Cookbook: Mouthwatering Recipes and the High-Flying Stories Behind Them as well as another studio album, Last Leaf on the Tree, which features close collaborations with Nelson’s son Micah. These creative endeavors as well as new songs and performances that add to his classic catalog, find Willie Nelson rolling at an artistic peak, writing and singing and playing with the seasoned wit and wisdom that comes from the road.

Drayton Farley - A Heavy Duty Heart

Only a few years ago the life Drayton Farley now lives seemed nothing short of a pipe dream: there he was at the time, working the railroads, strumming his guitar, singing his songs for his ass-busting railroad coworkers, dreaming about the life of a touring musician. A dream, he now says, that felt if not illogical than highly unlikely. “I don’t think I was convinced being a musician was even a real possibility,” Farley admits today, looking back at how a smalltown Alabama-raised, music-loving, factory working kid beat the odds to arrive at this current moment.

A proud disciple of a highly vulnerable, evocative and honest brand of Southern storytelling made famous by some of his musical heroes, most notably Jason Isbell, Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson, the soft-spoken and decidedly humble Farley is learning to accept his new reality. Namely, as one of Americana’s most buzzed-about new singer-songwriters.

“Remember back when we were kids before we had our own/We’d talk a lot about these days like these days would never come/ But somewhere deep inside I knew and I know you knew it too/I couldn’t be more proud to see that we saw each other through.” That’s Farley right there, singing to his wife, singing to himself, singing to his daughters, singing to all those who doubted him, singing on the stunning new track “Dream Come True.” The song is both a declaration of accomplishment and also a moment of reprieve and reflection amid the chaos that’s been Farley’s recent life. Most excitingly, it’s one of the momentous, thrilling new tracks from the singer-songwriter’s stunning new full-length album, A Heavy Duty Heart, due on March 27th via One Riot Records.

“I was taking a bet on myself,” Farley, 30, says of those long and tiring years spent gigging for hours at no-name bars, praying the tip jar would be filled by night’s end, and, through no shortage of innate talent, true grit and undeniable work ethic, earning himself a dedicated fanbase, a Grand Ole Opry debut and gigs sharing the stage with icons including Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam and Ryan Bingham. “It was like winning the lottery in slow motion,” he says of his unyielding perseverance that now, thanks in great part to his remarkable new LP, finds him with a front-row seat to his musical dreams. “It was a truth that slowly showed itself.”

With A Heavy Duty Heart – Farley’s most complete and unflinching artistic statement to date, recorded live in the studio with his touring band – the musician’s talent has come sharply into focus. Poignantly written, beautifully sung and expertly produced by the acclaimed Sadler Vaden (Jason Isbell), A Heavy Duty Heart is a statement of an LP – and one that properly introduces Farley as a musical talent to be reckoned with.

Having typically released music nearly as soon as it was completed, A Heavy Duty Heart, written entirely by Farley, was something of an exercise in restraint for the musician: not only are these 10 songs the most contemplative and nuanced of his career, it’s also the first collection of material he feels are truly of a piece with each other. A full expression. A meditation on love and risk.

“This is the first time I’ve felt this way about a set of songs,” Farley says candidly of his unbridled passion for what he’s about to release. And it takes no more than cueing up the opening track, the piercing and authentic “Love We Mean,” – a song that while on the surface is a tribute to his wife, but is also far deeper and real and gets at the core of what love looks like when life and family and obligations come into the picture – to comprehend Farley’s innate gift for vivid, poetic songcraft.

“We deserve a break baby/it’s hard work losing your mind/I’ve been thinking here lately/that we should start takin’ our time,” he sings at the album’s outset.

“It’s truly the realest of love songs. “It’s not a Valentine’s Day card” Farley says proudly of “Love We Mean” noting how this song is a direct reflection of his approach to songwriting: cutting through any surface-level clutter and instead arriving at universal truths.

Whether dissecting dreams realized (“What You Gonna Do”), juggling tough love (“I’ll Hold You”), or overcoming life’s inevitable hurdles (“The Way It Goes”), the songs that comprise A Heavy Duty Heart are that of an artist unafraid to face himself, his loved ones, or even his future ambitions, and hold them all to account.

“I feel like if you're going to write about yourself and your life, then just write about the way it is,” Farley says matter-of-factly of his no-nonsense approach to songwriting. “That honesty is going to translate. People are going to know when you’re bullshitting them or not.”

Farley’s knack for transparency comes through not only on wax but every time he takes the stage. Having typically performed with little more than him and an acoustic guitar, Farley says he’s incredibly excited to put a jolt into his live show when touring behind A Heavy Duty Heart in the coming months. That means more musicians, more uptempo vibes, more energy. “But don’t worry – I won’t be jumping around onstage,” he says with a laugh.

Now, as he sits at the precipice of releasing the forthcoming A Heavy Duty Heart, a time when any previous “nervous excitement” he once felt has since been replaced by “exciting anxiety,” Farley says he’s nothing but proud of where he stands. With the new album. With his career. With his life. Where do things go from here? “There truly is no limit,” Farley says with a smile.

• Outside food and beverages are not permitted at this event. Each person is allowed to bring one factory-sealed bottle of water (no glass allowed). Please refrain from bringing glass containers, cans, or flavored water.
• Our Concession stands will be open selling a variety of food and beverages. 
• Restaurant partners will be available to pre-order food and have ready upon your arrival. NOTE: Cut-off for ordering is 12PM the day before the event.  

We pride ourselves on bringing a wide variety of events to Cary, NC. What our guests are allowed to bring into each event varies from event to event.   Please review the event page you are attending for specific information regarding that event. 

Guests can bring the following items to Concerts:

• Bags 6"x 8" or smaller are permitted.
• 12" x12" x 9" Clear bags only.
• Medical and parenting bags.
• Factory-sealed plastic bottles of water (1 per person). 
  • No glass/cans/flavored water.
• Empty reusable non-glass water bottle up to 1 Liter. 
  • Water Fill Stations located in the Cobblestone Courtyard.
• Select Lawn Chairs: No footrest, canopy, lounge chairs, tri-fold chairs, or swinging chairs. See examples. Please remove the chair from the bag at the security checkpoint. 
• Rain Coats.
• Ponchos.
• Strollers (allowed on the lawn only).

All small clutches & clear bags are subject to search.

Prohibited items MUST be returned to guests’ vehicle before entering.  

Please leave the following items at home:  

• Alcohol
• Bags  (Unless clear & approved size)
• Backpacks
• Balloons, Banners & Signs
• Blankets, Towels, Mats of any kind including Yoga Mats
• Brochures/Stickers/Handouts
• Confetti/Glitter
• Coolers
• Drones
• Fireworks
• Food & Beverages
• Go Pros, Audio or video recorders
• Grills & Open Flames
• Hammocks
• Hula Hoops
• Illegal Drugs
• Laser Pointers
• Select Lawn Chairs: No footrest, canopy, lounge chairs, tri-fold chairs, or swinging chairs. See examples. Please remove the chair from the bag at the security checkpoint. 
• Noise Makers
• Pets of any kind (excluding service animals)
• Professional cameras with detachable lenses
• Selfie Sticks
• Sporting Equipment
• Tables of any size
• Tablets of any kind
• Tarps & Plastic sheeting
• Tents/Staking
• Umbrellas of any size
• Wagons/Carts
• Weapons of Any Kind (Include but not limited to knives, guns, tasers, chains, mace, studded/spiked jewelry)

PREMIERE PARKING: A limited number of Premiere Parking will be available for $30.00 in advance or $35.00 on the day of the show, if spaces are available. Pass entitles 1 car to park in the Premiere Parking section located near Gate 1/Box Office. 

PREFERRED PARKING: A limited number of Preferred Parking will be available for $25.00 in advance or $30.00 on the day of the event, if spaces are available. Pass entitles 1 car to park in the Preferred Parking section located near Gate 5/Box Office. 

PURCHASE PARKING

• Parking passes may be purchased at the box office in person, by phone through Etix or online at etix.com.  

• Parking lots open 1 hour before venue gates open.
• Purchasing a Parking Pass is NOT a ticket for the event, and is not valid for entry into the event.
• Please present your Parking Pass upon arrival. 

GENERAL PARKING: Koka Booth Amphitheatre has approximately 1500 free spaces available.  Parking is free of charge in Amphitheatre-owned lots. Some local businesses may charge a fee for parking in their lots.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING: A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available on a first-come-first-served basis with the proper hang tag or license plate.

DROP OFF & PICK-UP AREA: If using a taxi, Uber, etc please follow the signs & our Parking Staff to the drop-off/pick-up area. Rideshare Address: 11000 Regency Parkway Cary, NC 27518

If using Taxi Service/ Uber / Lyft or dropping off a friend/family member; Koka Booth Amphitheatre has a DESIGNATED drop off & pick up area. For the safety of all patrons please follow the signs to this designated area when arriving at the venue. Please do not drop off or pick up in any other areas.