Archive for June, 2014

Billy Bob’s Texas and Fort Worth are ready for Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic

Monday, June 30th, 2014

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Thank you to Pat/Miss Tex, for sharing photos from Fort Worth, Texas and Billy Bob’s.

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Monday, June 30th, 2014

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Welcome Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic

Monday, June 30th, 2014

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photo:  Ben Noey, Jr.

Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic (1987)

Monday, June 30th, 2014



Workers prepare stage

Willie’s July 4th Picnic Saturday at Carl’s Corner
The Reporter
July 2, 1987

Willie Nelson returns to his native Hill Country to stage his annual Fourth of July Picnic this year at Carl’s Corner

Last minute details are being taken care of for the concert to be held along Interstate 35 at Carl’s Corner north of Hillsboro.

Chainlink fences surrounding the complex have been erected and work on a revolving stage for the concert got underway earlier this week.

Some of the top entertainers in the business are expected to appear.

Scheduled to appear with Abbott native are Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, Roger Miller, Bruce Hornsby and the Range, the O’Kanes, Jerry Jeff Walker, the Geezinslaws and Asleep at the Wheel.

Also, Eric Johnson, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Rattle Snake Annie, Billy Joe Shaver, Emmylou Harris, Billy Roy and Heart of the Night, Bennie Kirby and His Country Dummies, Roy Garrett and Linda Elaine and Mack Abernathey.

Still others scheduled to appear are David Allen Coe, Don Cherrie, Dwight Yokum, Cherokee Rose, Delbert McClinton, Joe Ely, Nitty Ditty Dirt band, Gary McClung Band of Hillsboro and others.

Camping for the concert will be available Friday night, July 3; free parking will open at 4 a.m. Saturday; gates to the concert site will open at 7 a.m.; and the music will begin at 10 a.m. lasting until midnight.

According to Zeke Varnon of Hillsboro, there will be free parking for about 17,000 vehicles on the concert grounds; after that, parking will be available in the area for a fee.

Persons entering the concert will not be allowed to carry alcoholic beverages, glass containers, fireworks or weapons onto the grounds.

Ice chests, food, lawnchairs and caneras will be allowed, according to Varnon.

Food items, soft drinks, beer and ice will be available on the concert grounds.

A special crew of medical technicians, headed by Hillsboro native Dr. Red Duke, will be on hand for minor medical emergencies that ight arise during the day.

The mmedical crew will be located in a large metal barn at the concert site.

Final preparations for the concert also are being made by security consultant Mike Simpson.

Simpson has been involved with concerts since 1973 and has served as security consultant for the picnic since 1984.

Over 400 law enforcement and security personnel are expected to be in the concert area the day of the event, acording to Simpson.

Ranger Security Systems of Austin and Southwest Concert Security will provide security personnel for the interior of the concert grounds according to Simpson.

Additional Department of Public Safety troopers, officials from the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission, Hill County Sheriff’s Department and Hillsboro Police Department are expected in the area also.

Hillsboro Police Department will assist Carl’s Corner Police Department as needed.

Hillsboro Police Chief Ed Wheat said that a supervisor will be in the concert site area to evaluate the need for Hillsboro officers and the length of time they will be at the site.

No less than eight Hillsboro police officers will be on duty at all times during the holiday weekend according to the police chief.

The Hill County Sheriff’s Department also will be fully staffed during weekend to cover the county.

Fifteen deputies, including reserves, will be available during the weekend to cover the county.

Sheriff Brent Button said the primary concern for his department was the load the holiday weekend might place on the Hill County Law Enforcement Center which is currently operating near it’s 40 man capacity.

Besides the concert, a large crowd is anticipated at the Lake Whitney Cycle Ranch for a national motorcross race and the parks on Lake Whitney are expected to fill to capacity.

Simpson said, “There has been a great cooperative effort between all agencies involved in the preparation for the concert to make it safe and pleasant for the patrons as well as the residents fo the areas.

Tickets for the event are $21 and are available at several locations in Central Texas.

In Hillsboro, tickets are available at Carl’s Corner Truck Stop, Sherry’s Hitch ‘N Post Western Wear, Ramada Inn, Darlene’s Restaurant and Thunderbird Restaurant.

Other ticket outlets include Hitch N Post, Cheyannes, Herrington Insurance Agency, all in Whitney, Adams Tour and Travel in Itasca and Night Owl in West.

Tickets also are available through Rainbow Ticket Masters in the Dallsa-Fort Worth metroplex.

While a large number of tickets have been sold, Varnon said no estimates have been established.

Jenny and Terry Thompson @ Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic

Monday, June 30th, 2014

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This is Jenny and Terry Thompson from last year’s picnic.   Their expressions really say it all, just how much fun it  is to spend a day with friends and family at Willie Nelson’s picnic at Billy Bob’s Texas, at the Stockyards of Fort Worth.   Yeah, it was hot,  it was crowded, and it was hard to get to see all the stages and all the great acts, but it was so much fun.  And the music was fantastic.nd

Do yourself a favor, and come to Willie Nelson’s 4th of July picnic, if you can.  The music is great, and you will have so much fun.

And thanks to Jesse Collins for taking the photo.

Willie Nelson & Friends, “Cosmic Cowboys” (4th of July)

Monday, June 30th, 2014

Thank you, Brad Wheeler, for finding this gem.

Monday, June 30th, 2014


Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic, College Station, Texas (7/4/1974)
photo by: Bettmann/CORBIS

“It just ain’t the Fourth without Willie Nelson”

Monday, June 30th, 2014

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Willie Nelson, Leon Russell: Dripping Springs

Monday, June 30th, 2014

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“Found this in a box of old photos.  It’s the 1st Annual Dripping Springs Picnic in ’73 or ’74.  Willie & Leon woke us up early that morning with acoustic music and talk. It was great.”

— M.G. Nelson

 

 

Willie Nelson and Buddy Cannon talk about “Band of Brothers” on Sirius/XM Radio

Monday, June 30th, 2014

Monday, June 30th, 2014

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Willie Nelson: Band of Brothers

Monday, June 30th, 2014

Willie Nelson’s “Band of Brothers”

www.charlestonscene.com
by:  Chris Talbott

Willie Nelson has written a song – sometimes two, three or four – for every occasion, mood and moment. There’s Wistful Willie. Defiant Willie. Repentant Willie. Randy Willie. Preacher Willie. Populist Willie. Whimsical Willie. Vengeful Willie.

Nelson the songwriter returns in all his wonderful guises on the first album of mostly new material he penned himself since 1996’s “Spirit,” the best album of the latter half of his 60-year career. Nelson wrote nine of the 14 songs on “Band of Brothers” with album producer Buddy Cannon, and each song is a perfect projection of its writer’s best qualities. They’re comfortable, familiar, well-worn, but also new and different.

Nelson is 81 now, and the new songs make allowances for this. His defiant moments sound a little more world-weary, his regrets a bit more painful. But his sense of humor and philosopher’s personality remain un-diminished.

“Band of Brothers” opens with Defiant Willie staring down the storm on “Bring It On.” Wistful Willie lets the “Guitar in the Corner” play him, Repentant Willie hits “The Wall” and Randy Willie leads us through a tall tale of all his “Wives and Girlfriends,” “but may they never meet/may they never know each other when they pass on the street.”

Populist Willie provides the title track, a beautiful display of the sentiment that has made Nelson incongruously both an outlaw and a figure beloved by all. “We’re a band of brothers and sisters and whatever/On a mission to break all the rules.”

Nelson positions that song between a pair of Billy Joe Shaver covers – “The Git Go,” featuring Jamey Johnson, and “It’s Hard to Be an Outlaw” – midway through the album, and this outlaw triptych serves as a powerful reminder of why we’ve loved Nelson all these years.

Sunday, June 29th, 2014

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For more info:  www.Williespicnic.com

Follow the Picnic on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/WilliesPicnic

Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic 2014 (What a lineup!)

Sunday, June 29th, 2014

www.WilliesPicnic.com

Long before Lollapalooza and Coachella Music Festival, there was Willie’s Picnic – an outdoor music festival that began in a small Texas town that would continue for decades. The event has changed much in its nearly four decades, culminating into this year’s event: an all-day concert outside of Billy Bob’s Texas with a fan base spanning several generations. Willie’s 4th of July Picnic is a three-stage festival featuring some of the biggest and best acts in live music. The picnic is one big celebration with easy access to all stages, food, services and more. You must be 18 and up with a valid ID to enter; under 18 are welcome with a parent or legal guardian.

When: Friday, July 4th, 2014

Where: Billy Bob’s Texas North Forty – in the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards 

And what a line up!


Willie Nelson


Dierks Bentley


Josh Abbotts Band


Ryan Bingham


Jamey Johnson


Johnny Bush


Ray Wiley Hubbard


David Allan Coe

Charley Pride


Lukas Nelson & the Promise of the Real


Micah Nelson & Insects vs Robots

Amy Nelson, Cathy Guthrie:  Folk Uke

Amber Digby

Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic FAQ

Sunday, June 29th, 2014

www.WilliesPicnic.com posted this useful information and lots of dos and don’ts for fans coming to Fort Worth for the concert next Friday.

FAQs

What happens if it rains?
Willie’s 4th of July Picnic is a rain or shine event.

What is Willie’s 4th of July Picnic?

Long before Lollapalooza and Coachella Music Festival, there was Willie’s Picnic – an outdoor music festival that began in a small Texas town that would continue for decades. The event has changed much in its nearly four decades, culminating into this year’s event: an all-day concert outside of Billy Bob’s Texas with a fan base spanning several generations. Willie’s 4th of July Picnic is a three-stage festival featuring some of the biggest and best acts in live music. The picnic is one big celebration with easy access to all stages, food, services and more. You must be 18 and up with a valid ID to enter; under 18 are welcome with a parent or legal guardian.

When and where is it held?

When: Friday, July 4th, 2014

Where: Billy Bob’s Texas North Forty – in the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards 

When is the performance schedule released?

The performance schedule will be released a few weeks prior to the festival. Artist lineup subject to change.

Where should I stay in Fort Worth? We suggest staying at one of our partner hotels.

What should I bring to the Picnic?

· Sunscreen
· Hats
· Sunglasses
· Non-professional film and digital cameras
· A small clear plastic bag (no backpacks are allowed inside the festival)
· Valid Driver’s License for will-call and/or to drink alcohol
· Comfortable footwear
· Chairs / Strollers

The following items are prohibited:

· Large bags/backpacks (bags can be no larger than 12? x 12? and must be CLEAR)
· Weapons of any kind
· Professional recording devices
· Illegal substances
· Laser pens and similar focused-light devices
· Cans, canteens, flasks
· Pets
Bicycles, scooters, personal motorized vehicles
· Musical instruments
· Umbrellas
· Fake IDs – they will be confiscated and your wristband will be cut without refund

Is the Picnic accessible to people with disabilities?

The entire festival is located outdoors in the North Forty.  ADA accessible restrooms are available inside Billy Bob’s.

Any tips on preparation for Willie’s Picnic?

We suggest preparing for the event as follows:

· Dress in cool, unrestrictive, lightweight clothing
· Bring sunglasses
· Lather up in sunscreen and bring some extra in case it’s needed
· Bring a hat
· Wear comfy shoes
· Stay hydrated!
· Drink water before you get to the event and enjoy the beverage offerings of the many vendors at the picnic

Are there ATMs available if I run low on cash?

ATMs will be located around the picnic grounds and inside Billy Bob’s Texas

What will be available in the food truck areas?

Delicious food and drink options are available at our many food truck partners. Please make sure to bring proper id in order to purchase alcoholic beverages.

Will you have merch for sale?

T-shirts for men and women, hats, and many other items will be sold at the main artist merchandise stand.