Willie Nelson is on the road again, and this time he's bringing Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, Craig Campbell and Lukas Nelson & the Promise of the Real along with him. The first 16 shows of Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown Tour 2011 were announced today. The tour kicks off on May 27 in Philadelphia and will end "with a big bang" on July 4, according to a statement.

Doors for Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown Tour 2011 will open daily at 3:00 p.m., and the event will feature artist performances on multiple stages throughout the day until 11:00 p.m.

"I'm really looking forward to the Throwdown Tour and working with Jamey, Randy and all the folks. . . . It will be fun,” said Willie Nelson in a statement. Jamey Johnson says that the mention of Willie was all it took for him to agree to the tour. “Willie Nelson is an American treasure,” said Jamey. “When I was asked to return on the Throwdown Tour and was told Willie would be doing the shows, it was a simple yes.” Jamey Johnson appeared on the Country Throwdown Tour in 2010 along with Little Big Town, Jack Ingram, Eric Church and others.

The tour also brings former tourmates and good buddies Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser together again (the pair took to the road together in 2009 for CMT On Tour). "To tour with someone as legendary as Willie Nelson is an honor, and to get to do that with my good buddies Jamey Johnson and Lee Brice makes this tour even better,” said Randy. “I joked during my last tour with Jamey that we would need rehab after the tour, but I can safely say that this tour is going to be even crazier! It's definitely going to be a throwdown out there."

Tour dates for Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour 2011 are as follows:

Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour 2011