Archive for May, 2011

Willie Nelson receives Vermont Free Spirit Award from U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

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Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) presented the Vermont Free Spirit Award to Willie Nelson on Sunday during the Country Music Throwdown concert with the country music legend at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction, Vt.

The award was given to Nelson “in honor of your tireless support of our nation’s family farmers, and in honor of the genuine, inspiring spirit of freedom with which you live your life and create your music.”

The plaque said the award was presented “on behalf of the people of our independent state, WBKM Radio, The Farm Aid Vermont Committee and United States Senator Bernie Sanders.”

Sanders and others who met with Nelson before the concert invited him to stage his annual Farm Aid concert in Vermont during the summer of 2012 to help preserve family farms and to celebrate Vermont’s agriculture heritage.

“Willie Nelson has been a great supporter of family farmers in Vermont,” said Sanders. “Willie Nelson is an American hero. In addition to being one of the great entertainers of our time, he has been a leading supporter of family farmers in Vermont and across the nation.”

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Willie Nelson and Family Country Throwdown (Jacksonville, AR) (6/4/2011)

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

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Thanks to Mark Goodsell, for sending along a picture of the poster for the concert in his home town.

For more information: www.CountryThrowdown.com

Willie Nelson, Wynton Marsalis, Nora Jones on David Letterman tonight (re-play from 3/30/11)

Monday, May 30th, 2011

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Willie Nelson, Wynton Marsalis, his band, Nora Jones, Mickey Raphael perform tonight on Late Night with David Letterman. It’s a re-play of the show that aired last March. They sang, ‘Halleluyah, I Love Her So’ from their new album, a tribute to the music of Ray Charles.

 

Hallelujah I Love Her So
Come Rain or Come Shine
Unchain My Heart
Cryin’ Time
Losing Hand
Hit The Road Jack
I’m Moving On
Busted
Here We Go Again
Makin’ Whoopie
SwingI Love You So Much (It Hurts)
What’d I Say

Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown (York, Pennsylvania) (5/30/2011)

Monday, May 30th, 2011

www.ydr.com
by Erin McCracken

Freedom came to York Memorial Day.
And she made sure to wear a cowboy hat.

Just after 4 p.m. Monday, Freedom Mimnall, 32, of Wrightsville, sat in a Sovereign Bank Stadium suite.

“It’s not too often that you have these people coming into York itself,” she said of Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown. The outdoor amphitheater tour featuring country stars Willie Nelson, Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser and Lee Brice stopped in York Monday.

Some fans, including Dave Jennings, 47, of West York, lined up at noon at the ballpark’s gates, even though they didn’t open until 3 p.m.

Jennings sported the Throwdown logo on his right arm. He got the tattoo in February, even before concert tickets went on sale. His cowboy hat provided some protection from the sun’s rays.

The heat was too much for a few fans, who were treated by EMTs at the stadium. The goal was to keep everyone hydrated, said Gary Taylor, Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center marketing director.

By 4 p.m., the stadium’s thermometer read 96 degrees as fans wandered around the stadium. The turnout was less than half of the 7,000 people Strand officials expected.

Mimnall said she was lucky. Her VIP ticket afforded her food and beverages in an air-conditioned loft as well as an acoustic performance by Houser just after 4:15.

“I’m going out with my flip-flips on today,” he said with a laugh before he broke into his hit “Boots On.”

About 40 VIP ticketholders listened and they snapped photos with phones and digital cameras.

“This is a great celebration,” Houser said after his three-song set. He added that he’d play another acoustic set with Lee Brice later that night.

Even though Houser might have been in party mode while sipping a Yuengling, he didn’t forget what Monday meant.

“We especially appreciate American soldiers and veterans,” he said.

Bantley Gilbert, who played the Throwdown’s second stage, said he talked to his cousin — a Marine serving in Afghanistan — Sunday.

“He’s doing good,” Gilbert said. “He gets to come home soon.”

While on the tour, Gilbert and several other performers said the crew and the other musicians become family.

Lukas Nelson — Willie Nelson’s son and the lead singer of Promise of the Real — said that he carries his guitar around backstage to see if anyone wants to jam. “I’m trying to branch out and get to know everyone,” he said.

The Throwdown also marked the first event time the Strand and York Revolution worked together for an event.

“At a venue that’s not tested, there are going to be kinks,” said Austin Lucas, who performed on the Bluebird Café Stage. But the fact that the stadium hasn’t hosted any multi-star shows could be an advantage, he added.

“You always remember the first one,” he said.

Read Mr. McCracken’s entire article HERE. 

For details about Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown and to download music, visit www.countrythrowdown.com.

Willie Nelson & Family, Country Music Throwdown Tour, Essex, Junction, VT (5/29/2011)

Monday, May 30th, 2011

Thanks to Robin Reid, from Vermont, for sharing this little taste of Willie Nelson & Family’s set at the Country Throwdown Show in Essex Junction, Vermont Yesterday.

Willie Nelson, Country Throwdown Tour, Essex Junction, VT (5/29/2011)

Monday, May 30th, 2011

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Thank you, Robin Reid, for sharing your photos from the show yesterday!

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Willie Nelson & Family, on the Country Throwdown Tour (5/29/2011) (Essex Junction, VT)

Monday, May 30th, 2011

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Robin Reid, of Vermont, took these photos at the Willie Nelson Country Throwdown show yesterday, in Essex Junction, Vermont.

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Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour, Essex Junction, Vermont (5/29/2011)

Monday, May 30th, 2011

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More great photos from the Country Throwdown show yesterday, by Robin Reid, of Vermont.

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Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown, Essex Junction, VT (5/29/2011)

Monday, May 30th, 2011

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Robin Reid, a friend I met at Farm Aid, went to Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown show in Essex Junction, Vermont yesterday, and kindly sent these photos. Thanks, Robin!

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Here’s Robin with Willie, a few years ago.

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Willie Nelson receives recognition from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, at Country Throwdown Tour in Essex Junction (5/29/11)

Monday, May 30th, 2011

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Thanks to Robin Reid, a friend I made at Farm Aid, for sharing this picture of Senator Bernie Sanders presenting Willie Nelson with an award, at the Willie Nelson Country Throwdown Show in Essex Junction, Vermont, yesterday.

Happy Birthday, Johnny Gimble

Monday, May 30th, 2011

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Willie Nelson, Johnny Gimble, Lukas Nelson, Austin

Johnny Gimble turns 85 today.

Willie Nelson (4/30/2011)

Sunday, May 29th, 2011

Willie Nelson, BackYard, April 30, 2011
Photos by Jim Bennett

See more of his great pictures at his Flickr account HERE.

Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney: “Stay All Night (Stay a Little Longer)”

Sunday, May 29th, 2011

Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour Tickets

Sunday, May 29th, 2011

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Paula Nelson and Jim King of the Road Show

Sunday, May 29th, 2011