Archive for August, 2009

Willie Nelson and Kinky Friedman

Monday, August 31st, 2009

 

www.dallasnews.com
by Kelley Shannon

Humorist and author Kinky Friedman says he’s running for governor again, this time as a Democrat.

Friedman, in an interview with The Associated Press on the eve of his formal announcement, described himself as a “true populist.” He said he’s offering Democrats a new, winning model, noting that the last Democrat to hold the Texas governorship was Ann Richards in the early 1990s.

Friedman planned to make his announcement official in a series of interviews Tuesday, but described his plans to the AP on Monday.

He said he wants to give teachers a $3,000 across-the-board pay raise and get rid of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills standardized testing for public school students. He said there are too many toll roads in Texas and that he would prefer to pay for roads with tax revenue from legalized casinos in certain parts of the state, such as Galveston.

Friedman said he’s planning a fundraiser with Willie Nelson later this month and that he hopes to raise money from thousands of supporters online, like he did when he ran as an independent in 2006. That year Republican Rick Perry won, and Friedman was fourth.

“It’s really time for Texas to secede from Rick Perry,” Friedman said.

Others in the Democratic primary field are former ambassador Tom Schieffer, former agriculture commissioner candidate Hank Gilbert and therapist Mark Thompson.

On the Republican side, heavyweights Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison are squaring off. Party activist Debra Medina also is in the race.

“I look around and I think, I’m the only true man of the people in the race,” Friedman said. “I’m offering the Democrats a new model and it’s to run on ideas, not on demographics.”

Friedman said the last time he ran for governor he got more than 70,000 individual contributions on his Web site.

Friedman, a musician known for such songs as “Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in the Bed,” has concentrated mostly on writing in recent years.

Though he sounded more serious than when he embarked on his candidacy of 2006, Friedman did crack a few one-liners and said he won’t stop himself from using humor this election season.

“I’m going to be Kinky,” he said.

Blogging about Willie Nelson

Monday, August 31st, 2009

Three years ago today, I started my blog.  Now, 6,779 posts later, I know for a fact I will never run out of things to post about Willie Nelson.  He is so active and busy with music and all the important causes he’s involved in.  It would be impossible to keep up with him.   I know there’ s not enough time in my day to post all the old magazine articles I have, and all the new news there is about Willie Nelson, his music, his good works, his tours.   I promise to keep trying, though!

Thanks to all the friends and Willie Nelson fans who have visited the site, and e-mailed me with their kind comments, sent me their pictures and stories to share here, or who have come up to me at shows and said hello.  Willie Nelson fans are the nicest folks in the world, and knowing that you enjoy reading about Willie Nelson and Family as much as I do makes it all worth while.  

But of course, the fact that Willie  visits the site sometimes is my inspiration to post every day.

And the best thing that has happened because of this blog, is that I got to meet Willie Nelson in person!   Thanks, Willie, for all you do.




Thanks to Janis for taking the pictures at Luck that day, in August 2007.

God Bless Willie Nelson

Monday, August 31st, 2009

Monday, August 31st, 2009

Live in Concert: Willie Nelson and Family

Monday, August 31st, 2009

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Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel: “35 Years of Austin City Limits” (9/19/09)

Monday, August 31st, 2009

On 10/17/1974, Austin City Limits taped it’s first show, featuring Willie Nelson.  The show did not air until sometime in 1975.  The show was so successful, that PBS ordered 10 more shows.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Ford Theater, will show “35 Years of Austin City Limits:  Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel” on September 19, 2009.

Terry Lickona, producer of Austin City Limits, will be on hand to discuss the 35-year-history of the program, including  highlights and challenges of producing this show since 1976.  Also, he will  introduce the Southeast Premiere of the 25th anniversary performance with Willie Nelson and Asleep At The Wheel.

The Americana Music Association (AMA) will partner with the Nashville Film Festival (NaFF) to present two premiere screenings during the 10th Annual Americana Music Festival and Conference, September 16-19, 2009 in Nashville.

“Americana on Film” will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Ford Theatre and include screenings of Behind the Confessions: Radney Foster’s Revival on Thursday September 17 from 12:00-2 p.m. with Foster in attendance and the Southeast Premier of 35 Years of Austin City Limits: Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel, Saturday, September 19, 1:30-3:00 p.m. with Austin City Limits producer Terry Lincona.

The screenings are free to Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum members, anyone attending the museum that day and Americana Music Association’s Festival and Conference registrants with badges. 

Thanks to Budrock “Buddy” Prewitt, lighting director for Willie Nelson and Family, for sharing this photo of the taping of Willie and the Wheel segment for Austin City Limits.

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Willie Nelson Interview on MySpace

Monday, August 31st, 2009

The MySpace Music Feed: The Used and Willie Nelson

Monday, August 31st, 2009

Farm Aid 2009 Concert Will Be Broadcast by Direct TV

Monday, August 31st, 2009

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www.FarmAid.org

Farm Aid announced today that for the second year in a row, Direct TV will  broadcast the concert on October 4, 2009, in St. Louis, Missouri.  The broadcast will begin at 5:00 p.m. ET on 101 Network.

Additionally, Direct announced that it would match all DIRECTV customer donations made up to $50,000 made between September 1st and October 31st, 2009 to support Farm Aid`s mission to keep family farmers on the land, growing healthy food for all.

Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews headline the event at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Maryland Heights, Mo., along with other acts including Jason Mraz, Wilco, Jamey Johnson and Phosphorescent, plus other acts to be announced.

The concert event will celebrate music, family farmers and good food, and will again feature HOMEGROWN concessions: family-farm identified, local and organic foods. Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization that has raised nearly $36 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture.

“We are thrilled to bring the live Farm Aid experience into homes across the country, giving millions of people a chance to enjoy this unique mix of incredible music with inspiring stories of innovative family farmers,” said Carolyn Mugar, Farm Aid`s executive director. “The generosity of all of the musicians who donate their performances on behalf of family farmers is an inspiration to the many viewers at home who also want to show their  support.  Farm Aid is grateful that DIRECTV will match its subscribers` gifts up to $50,000.”

“We are delighted to be a part of Farm Aid 2009 and once again offer our viewers front row seats to this year`s benefit concert,” said Patty Ishimoto, vice president of DIRECTV Entertainment and general manager of The 101 Network. “Farm Aid 2009 is an important part of our music repertoire on The 101 Network, as we bring viewers exclusive concert events that can`t be seen anywhere else, compliments of DIRECTV.”

The six hour broadcast will be filmed entirely in High Definition and air in 5.1 surround sound. Like last year, DIRECTV will create four original one-hour specials featuring performances from Farm Aid 2009 which will air on The 101 Network as part of the DIRECTV Concert Series.

Albert Spevak is executive producer of the Ambassador Entertainment production. Lawrence Jordan is directing, Conor McAnally, Bart Peters, Sarah Brock and Allen Kelman are producers.

About Farm Aid

Farm Aid`s mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of
agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host an annual concert to raise funds to support Farm Aid`s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family-farmed food. Since 1985, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised nearly $36 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, create and strengthen connections between farmers and eaters, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.

Willie Nelson and his fans

Sunday, August 30th, 2009

I probably have thousands of pictures of Willie looking like this, with so much love at a fan.  Somehow, I don’t know how he does it, he makes every fan at the show feel connected to him.  That’s one of things reporters write about, when they are assigned to go to their first Willie Nelson concert, is how completely Willie Nelson connects with his fans, with smiles, waves, kisses, hats, bandannas.  This picture shows that love.

I found it on ebay: Willie Nelson at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, Program Book

Sunday, August 30th, 2009

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Starting bid:  $9.99

 

Willie Nelson contributes to “Voices for Gilda”

Sunday, August 30th, 2009

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Voices for Gilda

June 2003

When Gilda Radner died of cancer in 1989, she left behind a rich comedic legacy and millions of fans, and several of those fans contributed to this tribute CD.   In addition to the songs contributed by friends and supporters, the cd includes two comic clips from Radner herself—a Lisa Loopner piano recital of “The Way We Were” and a graduation commencement speech by Roseanne Roseannadanna.

Most moving track is one contributed by husband Gene Wilder, singing  a cappella version of “Ohio” from the Leonard Bernstein musical Wonderful Town.  Proceeds from sale of cd to Gilda’s Club, a free non-profit support community for those touched by cancer.

Disc: 1
1. Roseanne Roseannadanna – Gilda Radner
2. A Friend In You – Eileen Johnson
3. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me – Elton John
4. King Tut – Steve Martin
5. Loves Me Like A Rock – Paul Simon
6. To Love You More – Celine Dion
7. The Chopping Broccoli Song – Dana Carvey
8. Smile – Tony Bennett
9. Brown Eyes – The Bacon Brothers
10. Singing in the Bathtub – Mandy Patinkin
11. The Moment – Kenny G
12. Reason To Believe – Harry Connick Jr.
13. Beautiful City from Godspell – Victor Garber
Disc: 2
1. Lisa Loopner Piano Recital – Gilda Radner
2. We’ve Only Just Begun – Eileen Johnson
3. Soul Man – The Blues Brothers
4. For Lena & Lennie – Quincy Jones
5. Love Theme from St. Elmo’s Fire – David Foster
6. You Look Mahvelous! – Billy Crystal
7. The King of Broadway – Nathan Lane
8. Heroes and Friends – Randy Travis
9. When The Radio Is On – Paul Shaffer
10. Little Fire – Seattle Girls Choir
11. Full of Grace – Sarah McLachlan
12. Gardens of Stone – Grown Men
13. Laying My Burdens Down – Willie Nelson
14. Ohio – Gene Wilder

Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Cut-N-Putt Golf Club

Saturday, August 29th, 2009

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807 Paisey Drive
Spicewood, Texas 78669
512-264-1489
www.pedernalesgolfclub.com

Last June, in Austin for for Poodie’s Picnic at the BackYard, Cherie and I met up with Lisa and her family at the Pedernales Golf Course.  It is such a beautiful place.  The views are incredible.  The pro shop is full of pictures of Willie Nelson that you can’t see anywhere else, awards, memorabilia.  They also sell shirts and golf souvenirs.  We didn’t golf, but we were kindly allowed to ride around and take pictures and enjoy the views. 

    
                       Lisa, and her children Lana and Willie

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Deer all over the place

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Saturday, August 29th, 2009

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Bobbie Nelson: Audiobiography

Saturday, August 29th, 2009

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www.bobbienelsonmusic.com

Track List:

  1. Back To Earth (With Willie Nelson)
  2. Boogie Woogie
  3. Crazy
  4. Death Ray Boogie
  5. Stardust
  6. The House Of Blue Lights
  7. Deep Purple
  8. 12th Street Rag
  9. Sabor A Mi
  10. Down Yonder
  11. Laura
  12. Until Tomorrow (With Willie Nelson)