Archive for May, 2012

‘Heroes’, by Willie Nelson

Thursday, May 31st, 2012

www.countryweeklycom

Nelson has returned to the Columbia Records fold, where he made his biggest career leaps beginning in the mid-’70s. During the non-CBS years, he’d expanded his palette to include a wider circle of songs and collaborators—many from outside the country arena—and this open-door musical policy is immediately evident on Heroes, his first release for Sony’s Legacy imprint.

The nearly hour-long collection features several guests (with substantial contributions from son Lukas), yet it’s not a standard duets album, nor is it a typical Willie go-round. It’s close, though: Much of the material carries a familiarly weathered melancholy despite originating from highly varied sources. Additionally, the ever-soulful harmonica work of longtime Nelson cohort Mickey Raphael does much to connect the album’s disparate threads. Aside from Willie’s own skewed Western-saga title track, the weariest, most classic-sounding fare comes from co-producer Buddy Cannon (“That’s All There Is to This Song”) and Lukas Nelson whose well-written originals are dead-ringers for vintage Willie.

Seattle rock band Pearl Jam’s “Just Breathe” proves a comfortable fit and touches on mortality, as does the weirdly witty “Roll Me Up” (and smoke me when I die), though in a manner inconsistent with the album’s overall sobriety. Similarly, a pair of western-swing chestnuts suddenly splash neon light into non-adjusted eyes, but these kinetic performances, boasting virtuoso musical turns, are undeniable highlights.

While vocal cameos from such peers as Haggard and Kristofferson rattle with gravitas, some of the guest appearances, however worthy, threaten to distract—especially on standout songs that justify ownership by Willie alone. This is even the case at times on tracks featuring Lukas, whose voice is strikinglysimilar to his dad’s.  Still, this Still, this is the album Willie wanted to make, never mind that it’s divided between classic moments, guest spots and a definite sense of passing the torch to the next Nelson generation.

A Wasted Opportunity with Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real in NYC tonight

Thursday, May 31st, 2012


photo:  Mark Humphrey

A ‘WASTED’ OPPORTUNITY. Highline Ballroom presents Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, which logged more than 200 gigs last year, including Farm Aid. Though his father is the legendary Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson has developed his own following with his gritty country-rock songs from his “Wasted” album. 8 p.m. $10. 431 W. 16th St. (212) 414-5994.

www.nydailynews.com

Willie Nelson and his fans

Thursday, May 31st, 2012

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Thanks to  Turk Pipkin for this photo.

Willie Nelson & Family announce new show at BackYard in Austin (August 23, 2012)

Thursday, May 31st, 2012

www.Backyard.net

Willie Nelson & Family return to the BackYard in Austin on August 23, 2012.  Tickets go on sale Saturday, June 2, 2012.

Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jr., Toby Keith and others added to CMT Awards 2012 (June 6)

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012


Ethan Miller/Rick Diamond

http://tasteofcountry.com
by Megan Pachella

Last week, the CMT Awards announced the beginnings of a performance lineup for the 2012 show. The original bill was already pretty stellar, as it includes big names like Carrie Underwood and Kenny Chesney on the roster. But the performance schedule got quite a bit sweeter when a few country icons and future country legends joined the ticket.

Viewers and attendees can look forward to seeing Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Jr., Rascal Flatts, the Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Pisto Annies and Toby Keith take the stage, in addition to already-announced stars Underwood, Brad Paisley, Chesney, Little Big Town, Zac Brown Band and Lady Antebellum.

Legendary live performances aside, the show is sure to be a scream with country music star Toby Keith and hilarious actress Kristen Bell co-hosting the show. Keith is the only performer to have appeared on the CMT Awards every year since it began in 2002.

Between performing with the Pistol Annies and being nominated for four awards, it will be an especially busy night for Miranda Lambert. Underwood, however, leads the charge for nominations, racking up five total. The Civil Wars and Lady Antebellum fall just behind the two powerhouse country songstresses with three nominations each.

Don’t forget to tune into the 2012 CMT Awards, which will air live on CMT at 8PM ET on June 6. For a full list of awards and nominees, click here

Wasted away again with Willie Nelson in Margaritaville @ Austin City Limits

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

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Thanks to Kelly, from Austin, for sharing this picture she took today of the Willie Nelson statue, all decked out for the Jimmy Buffet concert, at the Austin City Limits Theater.

Willie Nelson, Paula Nelson, Fourth of July Picnic (2006)

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

Willie and Daughter

Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic 2012, Fort Worth Stockyards

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

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Keep up-to-date with line up and other news of the Fourth of July Picnic, on Facebook.

For ticket info: www.WillieNelson.com

Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Lukas Nelson, ‘Come On Up to the House’

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

This song is included on Willie Nelson’s new album, ‘Heroes”

Willie Nelson & Family Concert announced for Corpus Christi, TX (July 6, 2012)

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012


www.americanbankcenter.com

http://entertainment.caller.com

The Red-Headed Stranger will make a stop in Corpus Christi this summer for his tour with Jamey Johnson.

Willie Nelson will play with Jamey Johnson at 8 p.m. Friday July 6 at the American Bank Center Arena.

Tickets to the concert will go on sale at 10 a.m. June 1 at all Ticketmaster outlets and the American Bank Center box office.

Tickets range from $35, $50 and $85. To purchase your tickets on Ticketmaster on Friday June 1 click here.

For the ticket price seating chart click here.

Tickets will also be available by calling 1-800-745-3000 or by visiting the Ticketmaster outlets at any of these select H-E-B’s. 3500 Leopard, 10241 S Padre Island, 5313 Saratoga, 11100 Leopard – Calallen, 3133 S. Alameda, 409 E.Kleberg – Kingsville, 1115 E. Main Street

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

Abbott Methodist Church Presents 2012 Scholarships to local students

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012


Photo of Abbott Methodist Church, by Monique Claus

Thanks to Stephen Girsh for sending over the names of this year’s recipients of the Abbott Methodist Church Scholarships.  The Church’s scholarship program was started in 2007, to assist local high school students with their post-high school education.    All students are eligible for the scholarship, not just kids with the best grades, or only those involved in sports or other activities, etc.  The Church wanted every student to have a chance to receive a scholarship.

2012 Scholarship recipients

ABBOTT
Jacob Brown
Collin Eastland
Ethan Goode
Bryan Moore

AQUILLA
Julia Maria Adams

HUBBARD
Shelby Schoeneberg

WHITNEY
Addison Eubank
Adam Strawbridge
Nella Bissing

To date, the scholarship program has given out $72,000.00 dollars in scholarships to local students.    The scholarship is funded by donations. If you would like to contribute towards the Church’s scholarship program:

Abbott Methodist Church
P.O. Box 105
Abbott, Tx 76621


Abbott Methodist Church invites you to their service on Sunday, June 3, 2012, at 10:45.  If you are in the area, come by.

The church is on Facebook, too:

Tex Willie Nelson Doll in Colorado

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

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Cherie’s Willie Doll came home from Austin with his cousin, for a summer in Colorado. The dolls have been busy. Here, they spend the afternoon reading. DSC_0341

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They hung out with my nephews’ friends.
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They have been helping out with chores, feeding the chickens

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Willie Nelson, Coachella

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

www.WillieNelson.com

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

deb-ted-artstudio