Willie Nelson will perform at Merrill Auditorium on Aug. 11.

Portland Ovations will host the concert as a preseason event to help launch its 2010-11 performance season.

Additional Photos

Willie Nelson performs with his band during the Farm Aid Concert in St. Louis in 2009. AP

Aimee Petrin, Portland Ovations’ executive director, said the concert came together quickly.

“Just when we thought we were wrapping up our programming for our 2010-11 season, we had this opportunity we just couldn’t pass up,” she said in a statement. “Ovations is a fan of Willie, the people of Portland are big fans of Willie and we just had to bring him back.” He last performed for Portland Ovations in 2001.

Ovations’ regular season is scheduled to begin on Sept. 29 with Liza Minnelli and will include Bill Cosby for two shows on Oct. 16. The remainder of Portland Ovations’ 80th season will be announced in early June.

Tickets for Nelson go on sale to Portland Ovations members May 7 and to the general public on May 10. Prices range from $41 to $59 for members and $45 to $65 for the general public. Tickets can be obtained at PortTix, the Merrill Auditorium box office.