Country Music

Willie Nelson dedicated part of his performance to Renee Good, the mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.

Introduction

Willie Nelson Dedicates Soulful Performance to Renee Good, Calls for Peace and Humanity in Moving Austin Benefit Show

In a quiet yet profoundly moving moment during a special intimate benefit concert at Austin City Limits Moody Theater on January 18, 2026, country and outlaw music legend Willie Nelson paused his set to honor Renee Nicole Good, the 37-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026.

The 92-year-old icon, celebrated for his distinctive braids, weathered voice, and lifelong commitment to peace, justice, and the underdog, took the stage for a rare small-venue appearance supporting Farm Aid and local Texas charities. Midway through a set filled with classics like “On the Road Again,” “Always on My Mind,” and “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” Nelson set his famous Trigger guitar aside and spoke directly to the audience of about 2,800 with characteristic calm and sincerity.

Here are timeless images of Willie Nelson performing on stage with his legendary guitar Trigger, capturing the soul and spirit that have defined his six-decade career:

“I’ve seen a lot in my years,” Nelson began in his soft Texas drawl. “Wars, hardship, folks gettin’ treated wrong. This mama in Minneapolis—Renee Good—she was just drivin’ her boy to school, livin’ her life. She was a poet, a writer, somebody who loved hard and wrote beautiful words. Nobody should lose their life over a snowstorm and fear. This next one’s for her family, her kids, and for all of us who still believe in treatin’ each other like human beings.”

He then delivered a stripped-down, heart-wrenching acoustic version of his 1970 classic “Hello Walls”—a song of loneliness and longing—followed immediately by “Amazing Grace”, which he dedicated explicitly “to the memory of Renee Nicole Good, a good mother taken far too soon.” The crowd stood in reverent silence, many wiping tears, as Nelson’s weathered voice filled the room with both sorrow and hope.

This recent photograph captures Willie Nelson in a contemplative moment on stage, embodying the wisdom and compassion he has carried throughout his life:

Willie Nelson through the years

Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen who had moved to Minneapolis from Kansas City, Missouri, was described by loved ones as kind, creative, and deeply devoted to her three children. On the morning of January 7, after dropping her 6-year-old at school, she encountered ICE agents whose vehicle was stuck in snow during an operation. Federal officials claimed Good attempted to “weaponize” her vehicle against agents, prompting the fatal shooting. However, video evidence reviewed by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey led him to publicly reject the narrative, calling the incident reckless and demanding ICE leave the city.

Good’s family and friends remembered her as a poet who found beauty in everyday life, a loving parent, and a gentle soul who never sought conflict. Vigils and protests have spread from Minneapolis to cities nationwide, with calls for accountability, transparency, and reform in federal immigration enforcement.

These moving images from nationwide vigils reflect the grief, solidarity, and demand for justice in Renee Good’s name:

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