Archive for March, 2008

April Fool’s!

Monday, March 31st, 2008

The more things change, the more they stay the same

Monday, March 31st, 2008

Property, business opportunies offered at Carl’s Corners.

  • home sites
  • 5-acre tracks for mobile homes (complete financing available)
  • commercial, industrial sites
  • farm land
  • Former Wacoan, famous artist Bob Wade is entertaining idea of building a minature golf course
  • Developers, investors of Carl’s Corners will entertain motel and amusement facility developers offers

American Country
April 1984

Carl’s Corner Set to Open on 960 acre site;  developers providing complete financing

Development proceeds at a rapid pace at the Carl’s Corners project just north of Hillsboro.

Carl’s Corners promises to be a gigantic show place consisting of a mammoth truck stop with a huge multipurpose center with many auxiliary businesses.

Located along I-35E FM2959, Carl’s Corner is being developed by Carl Cornelius of Hillsboro and several other Dallas investors — one of whom is Monk White.

American Country will be bringing details about Carl’s Corners and its personnel in the months to come.  No date for initial opening of the first phase of this development has been announced.

The Restaurant, dining building at Carl’s Corner are complete, according to Carl Cornelius, (pictured in the top photo, with Darrril Wright and LeVan Gordon).  Cornelius went on to say that carpenter and carpenter helpers are needed for other projects.  And, Cornelius siad applications are now being taken for the operation of restaurant, multipurpose center, and truck stop.

Carl’s Corners truck stop (in bottom photo), located at one of the most visible sites in Texas, promises to become a number one stop along I-35E — referred to Mainstreet, Texas.  This truck stop reputedly rival the internationally famous truck stop in Cheyenne, Wyoming because of the many facilities offered.

Willie Nelson and Connie Nelson

Monday, March 31st, 2008

Freedom Fuels

Monday, March 31st, 2008

Willie Nelson appears with Daryl Hannah in the movie, Freedom Fuels, which takes an in-depth look at renewable fuel sources, such as bio-diesel, ethanol and vegetable oil. It explores the interaction of the petroleum industry and alternative fuels over the last 150 years, and examines the global impact that bio-fuels can have on our future.

The movie can be downloaded and viewed, free of charge, at http://www.mofilms.org/

The film, produced and directed by Martin O’Brien, and co-produced by Robbie Proctor, is the winner of the Environmental Preservation Award, 2006 Artivist Film Festival.

Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett and Ray Benson (3/29/08)

Monday, March 31st, 2008


www.austin360.com
by John T. Davis

The last time I saw Willie Nelson, a little more than three weeks ago at the Star of Texas Rodeo, his opening acts were saddle broncs and bull riders. Dust was, let’s say, ubiquitous.

But Saturday night he returned to play the hoitiest-toitiest new honky-tonk in town: the Long Center for the Performing Arts, which was throwing a gala, weekend-long grand opening party.

Nelson was one component of an all-star Texas music evening, which saw the Red-Headed Stranger mixing it up with Lyle Lovett, Asleep At the Wheel, Flaco Jimenez and Rick Trevio.

The acoustic gem which is the Michael and Susan Dell Hall at the Long Center might seem an odd setting for twin fiddles, steel guitars and songs about drinkin’, cheatin’ and redneck bonhomie. But the show was in keeping with the Long Center’s stated mission of serving a broad spectrum of the arts. (Hey, next week I’m returning to the hall to see opera diva Kathleen Battle — whether she, too, will sing about whiskey remains to be seen).

Thirty-five years ago I moved to Austin and played at the Municipal Auditorium with Ernest Tubb and Hank Thompson, reminisced the Wheel;s Ray Benson before the band swung into Faded Love, Black and White Rag and Big Ball’s In Cowtown. I knew I was in heaven. he continued. Thirty-five years later, we get to play in the most beautiful concert hall this town has ever seen.

Musically, the evening was a mixed grill, with Asleep At the Wheel taking the stage first and remaining to serve as a de facto house band for the other performers. The end result was refreshing, forcing Nelson, Lovett and Trevio out of their familiar respective contexts.

Thus it was a treat to hear Nelsonian standards like “Crazy” and “Whiskey River” adorned with fiddles and steel guitar, instruments that don’t feature in Nelson’s Family Band lineup. Likewise, the Wheel musicians, abetted by a trio from Lovett’s Large Band, turned “Blues For Dixie” into a jaunty romp and hot-wired “My Baby Don’t Tolerate” into a feral, prowling blues showpiece. (Lovett’s take on “What Do You Do/The Glory of Love” — with Wheel bandleader Ray Benson taking Large Band vocalist Francine Reed’s distaff part — was a showstopper in its own right).

Nelson, Lovett and the various Wheel vocalists also harmonized on several songs, a rare treat for fans of each.

Another highlight was Ruby Jane Smith, a crackerjack 13-year-old fiddle player guest-starring with the Wheel, who jumped into the proceedings with polished gusto.

Rick Treviño, along with accordion maestro Flaco Jimenez (who seemed somewhat disjointed and disoriented) joined the festivities for a plaintive conjunto ballad, and Treviño remained onstage to sing backup to Nelson’s ever-poignant “Always On My Mind.”

The whole deal wrapped up with all 18 musicians onstage romping through Nelson’s anthem “On the Road Again.”

The road that led to the Long Center’s fruition was a long and winding one; it was only appropriate to have some hometown icons on hand to celebrate the last mile of the journey.

Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride

Monday, March 31st, 2008

www.nashvillecitypaper.com
by Ron Wynn

Willie Nelson has always dabbled in many other musical styles, though the foundation of his work stays grounded in country.

He’s at his best penning story songs and interpreting material that covers the genre’s classic themes about traditional values, romantic dilemmas, hard living and family loyalty. Yet Nelson can range far afield conceptually without ever sacrificing the sound or style that’s made him both instantly recognizable and a longtime fan favorite.

The new 100-song, four-CD set One Hell Of A Ride (Sony/Legacy) depicts his versatility and scope by covering examples of every idiom he’s explored since the mid-‘50s. It begins and ends with “When I’ve Sang My Last Hillbilly Song,” the first version done in 1955, the second recorded last year. Other than the inevitable changes in range and tone due to aging, Nelson’s ability to build emotion through a song, make the lyrics resonate and ultimately make the listener truly feel and experience the tune remain intact.

This set goes through all his various phases, among them the outlaw period, numerous duets with everyone from Faron Young and Webb Pierce to Waylon Jennings and Ray Charles, up-tempo pieces, waltzes and ballads, drinking and cowboy numbers, even Tin Pan Alley, reggae and blues works. You hear him moving in and out of jazz-flavored work one moment, then coming back to honky-tonk the next. He can be topical or historical, political or introspective, sentimental or hard-edged, and in every situation there’s never any question of credibility or design.

There are many high points scattered among the CDs, with his versions of “Hello Walls,” “Crazy” and “Family Bible” among the gems on the first disc.

There are four Waylon and Willie numbers headlining the second CD, among them “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” and “Good Hearted Woman,” plus his takes on “Stardust” and “Georgia On My Mind.”

“Old Friends” with Roger Miller and Ray Price, “Pancho & Lefty” with Merle Haggard and “In The Jailhouse Now” with Webb Pierce are three sterling duets featured on disc three, alongside another western classic “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” and his reworking of “City of New Orleans.”

“Seven Spanish Angels” with Ray Charles proved a sizable hit during its run, and it’s one of three powerhouse collaborations on the final disc, as well as “Mendocino County Line” with Lee Ann Womack and “I’m Moving On” with Hank Snow.

While not everything is perfect (“To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before” still sounds like lightweight MOR with a Latin flavor, and his version of “The Harder They Come” isn’t among his more memorable outings), it’s still impressive to survey how many idioms Willie Nelson does effectively explore over this set.

He’s still at his best doing Texas country and western swing, but One Hell of A Ride shows that Willie Nelson can do many other things, most of them extremely well.

Win Tickets to see Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews, at Slugger Field (8/1/08)

Sunday, March 30th, 2008

91.9 WFPK Radio Louisville wants to send you and a friend to the Willie Nelson and Dave Matthews Band concert on August 1st at Slugger Field! register here for your chance to win a pair of preferred researved seats. Winners will be announced Thursday, APril 10th, between 3 and 6pm.  Contest Rules

Willie Nelson’s ‘Gravedigger’ nominated for Wide Open Country Video of the Year (Vote early; vote often)

Sunday, March 30th, 2008

The final round of voting is underway for the 2008 CMT Music Awards. The video for Willie’s song “Gravedigger” has been nominated for Wide Open Country Video of the Year!

Voting will continue until April 11. To vote for Willie click on the link below.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDgoHBxEJro]

Willie Nelson Fans, Vote Now for “Gravedigger”

The CMT Music Awards will take place on April 14, 2008 at Belmont University’s Curb Event Center in Nashville, TN. The show will be broadcast live on CMT at 8pm ET.

Willie Nelson Pick of the Week: Texas Road House

Sunday, March 30th, 2008

Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Ray Benson at the Long Center

Sunday, March 30th, 2008

Willie Nelson at the Fraze (6/17/08)

Saturday, March 29th, 2008


Willie Nelson at the Fraze, August 18, 2005

www.fraze.com

Willie Nelson, with James Hunter
The Fraze
Ketterling, Ohio

Willie Nelson returns to the Fraze June 17, 2008, for the first time since he last appeared on our stage in 2005 for a sold-out performance.  Since releasing his first single in 1957, Willie Nelson has given birth to concept albums, gospel albums, jazz albums, movie soundtracks, a myriad of duet projects, Christmas albums and numerous live albums. And the iconic Texan is the creative genius behind these historic recordings. His career has spanned six decades and his catalog boasts more than 200 albums. He has also earned every conceivable award and honor that can be bestowed to a person in his profession. And he has amassed reputable credentials as an author, actor and activist.Most importantly, Nelson’s music is as adventurous as ever–mixing sounds and styles, bending genre boundaries and engendering the talents of today’s most vibrant artists.

Nelson has recently received a Grammy® nomination with Ray Price for his album, Lost Highway. He was also honored as an Icon at BMI’s 55th annual Country Awards, the oldest awards saluting country’s top music makers.

Nelson just released a new album, Moment of Forever, featuring the song “Gravedigger.”


Willie Nelson at the Fraze (8/2005)

James HunterPerforming music you can groove to, singer, guitarist and songwriter James Hunter will accompany Willie Nelson this evening. Hunter’s voice is smooth, brilliantly controlled and unapologetic and his music style harkens back to the days of classic ’50s and early ’60s R&B. Through his infectious vocal and guitar performances, clever songwriting and tight horn arrangements, Hunter proves to be a man of impeccable taste. This remarkable talent will perform timeless hits from his latest album, People Gonna Talk, here at the Fraze.
www.jameshuntermusic.com

Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic: A family Event

Saturday, March 29th, 2008

Kris Kristofferson in Manchester

Saturday, March 29th, 2008

 

Kris Kristofferson played at the Apollo Theater in Manchester tonight.  After greeting the crowd he says: “There was so much smoke out here earlier, I thought it was Willie Nelson’s bus!”

See Willie Nelson in Austin Tonight at the Long Center Grand Opening, with Lyle Lovett, Ray Benson, and other Texans

Saturday, March 29th, 2008

 Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson joins Lyle Lovett, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel, with Rick Trevino and Flaco Jimenez — an all-Texan line up at the Long Center In Austin tonight.   A pre-show Texas-sized BBQ will precede the concert.  Tickets $150.00 – $500.00, and you can purchase them through their site at
http://www.thelongcenter.org/performances.aspx?id=1442

Willie Nelson’s great grandson sings a Peaceful Solution

Saturday, March 29th, 2008


http://WillieNelsonPRI.com

Willie Nelson’s great-grandson Zack joined him onstage at the BackYard in Austin on March 14, 2008, and sang, ‘A Peaceful Solution,’ the song written by Willie and daughter Amy.

The Willie Nelson Peace research Institute has posted a video on youtube of Zack singing the song with his class, and some footage of Zack on stage with Willie, at http://WillieNelsonpri.com.

 [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXU3EOX3UAQ]