FRIDAY, July 4th.

Willie Nelson. 2003 may go down as the year of Willie Nelson. He turned 70 in April amid much fanfare. As impressive as anything, however, is that Sir Willie Hugh is hosting the 30th anniversary of his Fourth of July Picnic, which has filled the crime blotter in years past and lost tons of money on occasion (Willie still averts his eyes when the "Honeysuckle Rose" tour bus passes Carl's Corner, site of the 1987 fiasco). Since the mid-'90s Luckenbach rejuvenation of the Picnic, with all the old troublemakers either safely in jail or deceased, the crowds have mellowed and the mood has become truly celebratory.

The Dead. Since the 1995 death of Jerry Garcia, the Dead are no longer Grateful. But they are grateful that "the Dead" means a whole lot more to fans than, say, the Phil Lesh Band or Ratdog. Even with singer Joan Osborne aboard to fill the "Huh, Bruce Hornsby" slot, and a couple of anonymous new guitarists covering Jerry's parts, "The Dead" means the '60s are still alive, and the freakshow goes on forever.

Pat Green. Knocked as a progenitor of frat-boy shtick by fellow musicians as well as critics, Green continues to draw amazingly well — even better than Willie Nelson — in Texas college towns. With his new album "Wave On Wave" (out July 15) expanding his range from country-popster to heartland rocker, expect this Tarrytowner to make big waves nationally.

Toby Keith. Willie's latest musical running buddy, Keith helped bring Nelson back to No. 1 with "Beer For My Horses." In return, the association with Willie gives Toby's brand of thunderheaded patriotism some class and makes it harder to automatically take Natalie Maines' side in their nasty Iraq-fueled feud.

Leon Russell. Bluesy voice of the purest gravel, laconic songwriting sense, and you gotta love that suit. Lawton, Okla.'s favorite son began as an insider, a top session man and arranger. When he moseyed into songwriting, he morphed into one of the most recognizable voices of the '70s.

Merle Haggard. God bless Merle Haggard's musical vanity. While other country vets seem more intent on cashing in than creating magic, Hag continues to sport top-flight bands. Recent albums such as the stellar "If I Could Only Fly" show that, next to his good pal Willie, Haggard is country's most continually creative legend.

Ray Price. It was 1962. Willie had hit it big in Nashville, when Faron Young recorded "Hello Walls" and Patsy Cline had a smash with "Crazy" in quick succession. Yet Nelson was still on the road, making $55 a night, touring with the great honky-tonker-turned-velvety-balladeer Price. Now, that's crazy, but there are worse gigs than sharing the stage with one of the all-time great country voices.

Geezinslaws. Apparently indestructible musical comedy outfit specializing in funny countrypolitan tunes. Their Austin roots go back to the early '60s, but these days, listen for song parodies mixed with straight-ahead country songs.

Johnny Bush. His fabulous tenor once earned him the nickname the "Country Caruso," he wrote the Willie Nelson standard "Whiskey River" and he's widely regarded as the most underrated talent in Texas music. No wonder he's here.

James Hand. A hard-core honky-tonker from Willie's ol' stompin' grounds in the town of West, Hand is starting to catch on with the younger crowd at the Continental Club every Sunday.

South Austin Jug Band. A band in the true sense of the word, these local bluegrass sensations spread the talent around and do the near impossible, appealing to fans of both jam bands and the curved ball cap country scene.

Kimmie Rhodes. This Lubbock-raised heart dweller is on the bill because she's good friends with Willie. But she'll prove that she belongs on that stage with touching, melodic songs that also work on an empty-headed humming level.

Stephanie Urbina Jones. A little bit Tejano, a little bit country, a little bit jazz and a little bit rock 'n' roll, Jones' free-spirited sound is pure Tejas soul.

Bells Of Joy. They had a gospel smash in 1952 with "Talk About Jesus," and this Austin group still plays it, only now, instead of a simple bass drum as accompaniment, the Bells tear it up with a full band. A musical blessing to kick things off.

SATURDAY, July 5th.

Neil Young. Never heard of the guy... (Actually one of the best shows of the night!). Classic Crazy Horse backed rock-n-roll show with great performances by Neil on some of his bigest hits like Rockin' In The Free World and Cowgirl In The Sand.

Shawn Colvin. The Vermillion, S.D., native turned Austinite brings a touch of smooth elegance and radio-friendly savvy to her folk stylings. Uncharacteristically inelegant moment: While she was accepting a Grammy for her '96 song "Sunny Came Home," Wu Tang Clan rapper ODB jumped onstage, declaring Wu Tang to be "for the children."

Patty Griffin. The queen of KGSR, Austin-based Griffin is that rarity, a strikingly pristine vocalist whose songs explore the mustier regions of being. "1000 Kisses," her latest, is an album that sounds as interesting the 50th time you hear it as it did the fifth. A touch of class in the gritty fields.

Billy Bob Thornton. Amazingly, his recording career has outlasted his marriage to Angelina Jolie. She'll recover; we may not.

Cory Morrow. The Austin-residing Houston native hasn't made as big a splash as his friend and collaborator Pat Green, but he's kicked up enough dust that your eyes will get red if you don't look away.

Billy Joe Shaver. The first time this Waco songwriter ever played in front of an audience was at Willie's 1972 Dripping Springs Reunion concert, a precursor to the Fourth of July Picnic, which started the next year. Even more important was his impromptu set in a trailer backstage, where the audience included Waylon Jennings, so impressed he promised to record an entire album of Shaver's material. Even since that momentous afternoon, "Honky Tonk Hero" Shaver always seems to pull out a special set when he's on a bill with Willie.

Del Castillo. Austin's rising gypsy rockers continue to prosper because the songwriting of singer Alex Ruiz keeps the band rut-free. The spectacular flamenco-flavored guitar playing of brothers Rick and Mark Castillo is what originally turned heads, but frontman Ruiz keeps it interesting.

Los Lonely Boys. How long before Willie legally adopts the San Angelo trio of Henry, JoJo and Ringo Garza? Taken with their meld of stinging blues guitar and seamless harmonies, Willie has taken the Boys to Maui and now he takes them to the Picnic, where they'll play songs from next month's self-titled debut LP.

Pauline Reese. This Broken Spoke regular says her ambition is to be a female version of young Willie Nelson. Well, her hair's long enough. Here's your chance to decide on the rest.

Waylon Payne. The son of Willie's guitarist Jody Payne and singer Sammi "Make It Through the Night" Smith, Waylon apparently borrowed liberally from both sets of genes to become a singing guitarist who's been courted by several major labels.

Paula Nelson. She's Willie's daughter, but she's Clifford Antone's fan — she even recorded a song about him, called "Black Cat."

Titty Bingo. The band with the name we can't print and the bumper stickers you can't avoid features Willie's sister Bobbie, her son Freddie and some first-rate country clowning.

Cross Canadian Ragweed. Cody Canada and company made some noise on country radio with the small-town lament "17." But it's live that this band from Oklahoma really makes its bones.

Matt Powell. Austin-based blues guitarist who strives to go beyond the Stevie Ray comparisons with a dedication to songcraft.

Jack Ingram. Recently dropped by Sony/Lucky Dog, this Dallasite has rebounded with a big dose of D.I.Y. fervor, starting his own label, Open Road Records, and recording a live CD that should be available soon.

Ray Wylie Hubbard. The move from Dallas to Wimberley six years ago has proved to be one productive relocation, as Mr. Redneck Mother continues to teach his pony new tricks, as his recent albums prove.