Archive for October, 2008

Willie Nelson Talks about his guitar

Friday, October 31st, 2008

“One of the secrets to my sound is almost beyond explanation.  My battered old Martin guitar, Trigger, has the greatest tone I’ve ever heard from a guitar — and I’ve played a lot of guitars, including a lot of other Martins that were the exact same model as Trigger.

A lot of the guys in the band have been with me for decades, but Trigger has outlated every musician I’ve played with, and after all these years, I have come to believe we were fated for each other.

The two of us even look alike.  My musician pals haven’t carved and written their names on me the way they have on Trigger, but we’re both pretty bruised and battered.

The holes I’ve worn in Trigger are from my pick zinging up and down a million times on the face of an acoustic guitar that’s not supposed to be played with a pick, but at this point those holes are part of what makes Trigger sound exactly right.

I also play other guitars, of course, including a black electric Fender during the blues numbers on our show, but Triggers as much a part of my sound as the way I play.

If I picked the finest guitar make this year and tried to play my solos exactly the way you heard them on the radio or even at last night’s show, I’d always be a copy of myself and we’d all end up bored.  But if I play the instrument thta is now a part of me, and do it according to the way that feels right for me — in each place and time — then I’ll always be an original.

At the very least, I know it won’t get boring.”

The Tao of Willie
A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart
by Willie Nelson, with Turk Pipkin

The Tao of Willie: A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart (Unabridged)

Goodbye, Hank Hill

Friday, October 31st, 2008


http://blogs.dallasobserver.com
by Robert Wilonsky.

Its passing has thus far gone without much mention, but after 13 seasons, Fox is firing poor ol’ Hank Hill and canceling King of the Hill, created by former Garland resident Mike Judge and set just outside of Dallas, of course, in the fictional ‘burb of Arlen. (Favorite episode? The one with Willie Nelson from 1997 (see below).  And, as you may recall, the Old 97’s even had a song on the soundtrack, years ago.)  For those who watched the show beyond its fourth season, Judge’s King of the Hill archives are kept at Texas State University in San Marcos.  But, dang it, Bobby, no more propane for you.

Hank’s Got The Willies
Episode KH105
Original Air Date: 2/9/97

Bobby attempts to make amends after he accidentally wallops Hank’s idol, Willie Nelson, in the head with a golf club.

Hank catches Bobby furiously windmilling his beloved Guild guitar, “Betsy.” Bobby explains that he was playing the instrument with a piece of cheese, like his favorite comedian, Celery Head. After examining the guitar, Hank realizes his son chipped Betsy’s bridge. The next day, Bobby crashes Hank’s lawn mower into the front of his truck. Shortly thereafter, the boy uses Hank’s pitching wedge to hit clumps of dog excrement. When Hank tells his wife that their son seems bent on destroying everything he owns, Peggy suggests he take Bobby golfing. At first, Hank dismisses the idea outright. But when Bobby tells his father that his two heroes are Gameboy champ Eddie Stillson, and Howard Adderly, the father of bizarre worm-child Jason Adderly, Hank decides he needs to take his son golfing immediately.

Before he takes his son golfing, Hank drives Betsy to a local guitar shop. Along the way, Hank tries to think of a suitable hero for Bobby. Hank tells his son that his own idol has always been Willie Nelson, as he was born in Texas, plays the guitar, and loves to golf. After dropping Betsy off for repairs, Hank joins Dale, Bill and Boomhauer for a game of golf. Bobby pulls his father’s club from a bag and chips a ball right into a cup. Impressed, Hank allows Bobby to tee-off on the next hole. Bobby takes a mighty swing…and lets go of the club, which gracefully tumbles through the air until it strikes another golfer in the head. The foursome rush to the hapless victim’s side, only to discover the man is none other than Hank’s hero, Willie Nelson.

After apologizing for the accident, Hank asks Nelson for his autograph. Nelson takes a pencil in hand, but still suffering from his injury, he slumps forward into the steering wheel of his golf cart, leaving a signature that is nothing more than a straight line. Before Hank has a chance to tell Willie that he is his hero, the singer’s cart picks up speed and races down a hill.

Convinced he cost his father the opportunity of a lifetime, Bobby rides his bicycle (with a guitar case strapped to the handlebars) to Willie Nelson’s mansion (now property of the United States Government). He finds Nelson playing Gameboy in a nearby trailer. Bobby phones his father with news that Nelson has invited him to a barbecue party. When Hank arrives, he finds the singer strumming Betsy.

Willie flips the guitar around and shows Hank that he autographed the instrument (the signature is identical to the straight line autograph from the golf course). Hank telephones his wife and invites her over to the barbecue. When she arrives, Peggy meets Dennis Hopper, who begins to flirt. Furious at Hank for showing the guitar so much attention, Peggy stomps towards her husband. But she melts when she hears Hank singing a song about how much he loves her.

Willie Nelson Sings the Blues, with Wynton Marsalis

Friday, October 31st, 2008

This is a taste of the DVD of Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis’ collaboration, “Two Men With The Blues”, filmed at two concerts the artists did in January, in New York City.  The DVD is in stores now.

“Well, the first thing about Willie, is his integrity.  He’s been travelling up and down the road for so many years on his bus.  He’s of that last group of a certain breed of musicians.”

— Wynton Marsalis

The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance, at Farm Aid 2008

Friday, October 31st, 2008

This September the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance was lucky enough to be a part of the “Home Grown Village” at Farm Aid 2008. The Village was an educational experience filled with displays from organic farms, farm related youth groups and NGO’s. Visitors learned the value of sustainability, and local sourcing for food as well as being exposed to alternative energies and fuel technologies. The SBA presented important information on the facts and fiction about biodiesel today, and recruited over 150 new members.

To learn more about sustainable biodiesel fuel, the SBA, or to join and show your support, visit their website at
www.sustainablebiodieselalliance.com.

Rodney Carrington talks about working with Willie Nelson

Friday, October 31st, 2008

www.cmt.com

“Willie was great.  When he shows up, you’re like, ‘That’s him. That’s Willie.’ That’s how I felt. What do you say to Willie Nelson? … He was a delight. He was quiet. He did a great job. He was very funny. He was on time. I will say that: Willie is punctual.”

“It was a lot of fun working with Willie and Tom Skerritt. Toby’s kind of a pain in the ass, but the rest of them were great.”

 

 

Toby Keith’s second feature film, Beer for My Horses, makes its world premiere on Sunday night, November 2 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CMT.

It will be released on DVD on Nov. 11.

A Peaceful Solution, A Cappella

Friday, October 31st, 2008

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8pD6YiYSaU]

Kathy has recorded an a cappella ‘A Peaceful Solution,’ the song written by Willie Nelson and Amy Nelson, and submitted it to the Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute web site.

Jay has posted a powerful essay, along with Kathy’s version of the song, about what the presidential candidates are not talking about, that I think everyone should read.

www.WillieNelsonPRI.com

Willie Nelson, Billy Bob Thornton at Dubuque, Iowa (12/4/08)

Friday, October 31st, 2008


Five Flags Arena, Dubuque, Iowa

http://www.thonline.com

When Willie Nelson last performed in Dubuque, in August 2003, the performance set a record for grossing $115,891, playing to a sellout crowd of 3,840 fans.

Tickets are on sale at the Five Flags box office and Ticketmaster outlets for the multi-Grammy Award winning country singer/songwriter’s performance Thursday, Dec. 4.

The 75-year-old Nelson will be joined on stage by Billie Bob Thornton & the Boxmasters.

“Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” (written by Fred Rose in 1945) was Nelson’s first hit song, in 1975, the same year his album “Red Headed Stranger” was released. His 1970s hits included “Good Hearted Woman” (a duet with Waylon Jennings), “Remember Me,” “If You’ve Got the Money I’ve Got the Time,” “Uncloudy Day,” “I Love You a Thousand Ways” and “Something to Brag About” (a duet with Mary Kay Place).

He and Jennings created the genre known as “outlaw country,” because it didn’t fit in with Nashville standards. In 1978, they released two albums, including the

hit single “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.”

Other Nelson hits have included “On the Road Again” and “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before.”

In the 1980s he formed a group called The Highwaymen with Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash. In the midst of the 1980s Farm Crisis, he established the Farm Aid concerts to help family farmers stay on their land.

He won a Lifetime Achievement Award Grammy in 1999 — and went on to win more Grammys in 2003, ’04 and ’08.

Actor Thornton’s Boxmasters are a takeoff on a 1960s-era mod band, with upbeat rhythms but exploring dark themes. Thornton is the writer, director and star of the film “Sling Blade.”

Willie Nelson with special guests Billy Bob Thornton & the Boxmasters

When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 4
Where: Five Flags Arena
Cost: $75, $53.50 and $43.50 (reserved seating)

Willie Nelson and Family at Tyson Foods Party

Friday, October 31st, 2008

www.WillieNelson.com has posted these and many other great photos from the Willie Nelson and Family Concert at the Tyson Foods Employee Party in Springdale, Arkansas

To see more photos: http://willienelson.com/ppp/?p=2163

Houston House of Blues Releases More tickets for Willie Nelson and Family Show Tonight

Friday, October 31st, 2008

House of Blues has released more general-admission tickets for tonight’s Willie Nelson show. $63.50, they’re available at the venue box office (1204 Caroline), Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 888-402-5837 and online at www.hob.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Don’t wait too long – it’s close to selling out.

Willie and the band will also play the HOB Houston tomorrow night.

Happy Halloween

Friday, October 31st, 2008

Some folks are so creative with their pumpkin carving.

Thanks to Jan/RailRoadlady for this pumpkin pic.

Willie Nelson at Lance Armstrong LiveStrong Fundraiser (10/24/08)

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

 rftr-045-2566.jpg

Chris Brewer, of Lance Armstrong Foundation, posted about the Livestrong challenge at   http://livestrongblog.org:

Let me get right to the point: I have been honored to have been a part of every Austin Ride for the Roses / LIVESTRONG Challenge since its inception in 1997, and I can assure you that this year’s edition was without question the best one to date.

That night we all headed down south to a no-kidding Texas landmark, the Salt Lick BBQ. The Challenge team always finds very unique ways to thank the people that support our mission, and this time for the top fundraisers it was really special. The evening started off with the opportunity to rope a (simulated) calf, sit atop a (real) Longhorn bull, play some horseshoes, and bid on some very exclusive silent auction items. Dinner was then served as only the Salt Lick can do, and everyone sat down to some very non-traditional pre-ride BBQ! There may be better BBQ out there somewhere, but I’ve yet to come across it.

With emotions running high, what could possibly put it over the edge? How about a 90 minute concert with the legendary Willie Nelson.  He went through every hit he has had over his amazing career, and then even broke out some new material to see how the crowd liked it.  It was simply an awe-inspiring ending, and the weekend had just begun.

rftr_ride-001-3082.jpg

 

To read the entire article: 
http://livestrongblog.org/2008/10/30/livestrong-challenge-recap/

Willie and Family Live

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

October 30, 2008

American Bank Center

Corpus Christi, TX
October 31, 2008

House of Blues

Houston, TX
November 1, 2008

House of Blues

Houston, TX
November 2, 2008

South Padre Intl. Music Festival

South Padre Island., TX
November 21, 2008

ASU Convocation Center

Jonesboro, AR
November 22, 2008

Chisholm Trail Expo Center

Enid, OK
November 23, 2008

Cains

Tulsa, OK
November 26, 2008

Midland Theater

Kansas City, MO
November 28, 2008

Morris PAC

South Bend, IN
November 29, 2008

Soaring Eagle Casino

Mount Pleasant, MI
November 30, 2008

Miller Auditorium

Kalamazoo, MI
December 2, 2008

Stephens Auditorium

Ames, IA
December 3, 2008

McElroy Auditorium

Waterloo, IA
December 4, 2008

Five Flags Center

Dubuque, IA, OK
December 5, 2008

Eastern Kentucky Expo Center 

Pikeville, KY
December 6, 2008

U of Illinois Assembly Hall

Champaign, IL
December 7, 2008

The Center

Evansville, IN
February 9, 2009

Lincoln Center, with Wynton Marsalis

NYC, NY

*** all dates subject to change

Willie Nelson at Danville, VA

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Thanks to Carol, from NY, for sharing her pictures with us fans.

Willie Nelson on CMT

Thursday, October 30th, 2008


www.cmt.com

Broken Bridges
10/30/08, 1:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m.
11/6/08, 11:30 p.m.
11/10/08, 1:00 p.m.
 

Beer for my Horses
11/02/08 07:00 PM, 9:00 p.m. 
11/05/08 09:00 PM
11/09/08 7:00 PM 
11/23/08  6:00 p.m.  

40 Sexiest Videos (Maria)
11/10/08 12:00 AM

Favorite Willie Nelson Movie Lines: “I remember when a dime bag cost a dime.”

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Thanks to Janis from Texas for sending me this clip from the movie.  I haven’t seen this in a long time.