The iconic country music star Willie Nelson, who is set to turn 90 next month, has just scored a major honor in Texas, where he is being given a university endowment and a prestigious award. 

Nelson To Be Honored In Texas

Fox News reported that it was announced on Wednesday that the singer is being honored with the Willie Nelson Endowment for Uplifting Rural Communities at the University of Texas’ LBJ School of Public Affairs. The endowment will be used to fund research and student fellowships that will aim to help rural and farming communities. 

Nelson helped to launch the Farm Aid benefit concerts in the 1980s, and he has since raised over $70 million for family farm owners through them. 

The LBJ Foundation also announced today that it will be giving Nelson the LBJ Liberty & Justice for All Award, which is the organization’s most prestigious honor.

“A lifelong advocate for farmers, alleviating food insecurity, and support of rural communities, Nelson embodies President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s commitment to public service, particularly in the areas of farming and food security,” the foundation said in a statement obtained by KXAN. 

Related: The One Thing Willie Nelson Will Never Give Up

‘Willie Nelson Is A National Treasure’

Nelson will be presented with this honor at a gala in May. 

“Willie Nelson is a national treasure who gained fame through his sheer musical talent and won hearts as someone who truly cares about the lives of his fellow Americans. A product of rural Texas, Willie has never forgotten where he comes from,” said Larry Temple, Chairman of the LBJ Foundation Board of Trustees.

“His longtime efforts to raise money and awareness for family farmers through Farm Aid and numerous other endeavors to help those in need throughout his career make him a true inspiration,” he continued. 

Others who have received the LBJ Liberty & Justice for All Award in the past include President George H.W. Bush, President Jimmy Carter, Rep. James Clyburn, Sen. John McCain and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, among others.

Related: Willie Nelson’s Music Video About Cowboys Will Have You Longing For The Days Of John Wayne

Nelson Still As Busy As Ever

This comes one month after Nelson won best country album for “A Beautiful Time” and best country solo performance for “Live Forever” at the Grammy Awards. Throughout his decades-long career, he’s won an impressive dozen Grammys, and it would not be surprising if he won more in the future! 

Though Nelson is set to turn 90 on April 29, he has no intention of slowing down. It was announced earlier this month that he will be the headliner of the 2023 Outlaw Music Festival Tour, which is set to start on June 23 with a stop in Wisconsin and will end August 13 with a show in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

“I can’t wait to be on the road with the amazing group of artists joining us on this year’s Outlaw Music Festival Tour,” said Nelson in a statement. “It is always a great day of music and fun with family, friends and the incredible fans, and even more special this year in celebration of my 90th birthday.”

Nelson also recently released his 99th (!) studio album, “I Don’t Know a Thing About Love.” Given all that he has going on, Nelson is showing the world that age really is just a number, and he certainly deserves all of the honors he has coming his way in Texas! 

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