Archive for December, 2014

2014 was a great year to be a Willie Nelson fan

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

photo:  Robert MacCready

Wow, what a year Willie Nelson had!    I don’t know how he does all he does, I’m worn out just  listing some of his projects here.  This is not everything he did this year, of course, just a snapshot.  He does so much when he is off the road that we never hear about, public service stuff, private parties, fundraisers, recordings, favors for friends.

It really has been a great year to be a fan, like it was last year, and the year before that.Willie Nelson & Family toured extensively in 2014, Willie released new albums, collaborated with others on their albums, was on the cover of many magazines, appeared on many televisions shows, hosted friends and fans at another picnic in Fort Worth and joined with Farm Aid board members to support family farmers, with their 39th annual Farm Aid concert.  Basically, for another year Willie Nelson made his fans happy and made the world a better place.  Yeah, the more things change, the more they stay the same.  Willie is relevant, and his opinions are sought after.

Thank you Willie Nelson, thank you to his family, his band, his fans, for all the music, fellowship, and good times.  And thanks so much to all of you who send me things for my blog; you all make keeping this blog going so much easier and so much fun.   You’re the best.

nye Once again, Willie Nelson and Family welcomed in the new year with family and friends and fans at Austin City Live’s Moody Theater. 13nye40
decday Willie Nelson released two critically acclaimed albums in 2014.  Band of Brothers was #1 on the Billboard Country Chart.
englebert2 Always a popular duet partner, Willie sang on many different albums
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His duet with Rhonda Vincent was #1 on Billboard Bluegrass chart
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acl scottnewtonacl5 Willie Nelson was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame tonight, along with Coach Darrell Royal, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble, and Willie performed, and  Bill Arhos.  Willie was joined by EmmyLou Harris and Lyle Lovett,  for several songs. IMG_0559
inside1 Willie Nelson collaborated with nephew Freddy Fletcher, and launched “Inside Arlyn Studios”, featuring live musical performances.  Willie launched the series with tapings of Guy Clark, Jr., and Merle Haggard.
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guestletterman Willie Nelson was a guest on several talk shows, including two appearances on David Letterman in 2014.  He performed music from his new album, “Band of Brothers” on one appearance, and another time sang a new duet with Billy Joe Shaver.
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Willie Nelson was a guest on ESPN, reminiscing about his first guitar as a child, playing high school football, earning his fifth-degree black belt and  relationship with legendary football coach Darrell Royal.
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“The world looks better from the top a horse.” — Willie Nelson

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Jimmy Kimmel agreed to do a show live from Austin during ACL, if he could have Willie Nelson as a guest.
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ie joined a cast of thousands, to say farewell to the Colbert Report, at the shows final taping. patrick2 patrick3
Willie Nelson,was honored with guitar-shaped  birthday cake on new season of TLC’s “Cake Boss” television show.
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bb1 DSC_0148Once again, Willie Nelson invited friends and fans
to celebrate the Fourth of July, on the back 40, at BillyBob’s Texas, in Fort Worth.
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For the 39th year, Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews headlined a concert to raise funds for family farmers and Farm Aid.  Over 20,000 people attended the concert in Raleigh, North Carolina

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& Family played their favorite Texas haunts
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fansphilWillie Nelson kept his fans close. makewish1And made dreams come true, like Tatum Lee who got to see her favorite singer perform in Kansas City, thanks to Make a Wish Foundation.  He signed her guitar, too!
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Fans proposed

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Willie autographed books, records, posters, hats, boots, boobs, and more.  I’ll bet he has never said no to a request for an autograph.

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Willie Nelson is popular on Facebook, and trended on Twitter.  His family posts new videos, pictures, stories from the road, about contests to win tickets and new shows.  He’s got 4,152,639 likes , and fans post their love and gratitude on his page every day.                                                        

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Willie Nelson trended on Twitter

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Willie Nelson is 81 so somebody PLEASE warn him that all that weed’s eventually gonna lead him directly to crack
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Fun fact: uses the same cologne as and!
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“Wait! U got a Willie T on? Respect-I’m out!”
Willie Nelson Shirts saved lives
triggerphil2 Even Willie Nelson’s guitar, Trigger, made the news.   The July issue of Acoustic Guitar Magazine features this cool close up photo taken by Jay Blakesberg, nye
williehorse He ftook time to do things he likes to do, like riding horses alone on his ranch in Texas. luck2
willieannie2And time to hang out with family and friends, celebrated another year of marriage with Annie d’Angelo Nelson. lukaswill busjohn
williers Willie Nelson featured in many magazines in 2014, including another cover of the Rolling Stone. rolling. rspicks
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Willie was even on the cover of a Korean magazine japan Even Willie Nelson’s guitar featured in magazines“The July issue of Acoustic Guitar Magazine featured close up photo taken by Jay Blakesberg, jay
As if being a singer, songwriter, actor, author, poet, humanitarian and activist wasn’t enough, Willie Nelson revealed his skills as a magician.   His family posted several videos of Willie trying to trick his sister, with magic.  He’s really good. magic
rbz Willie DKR Exhibit 02 The Briscoe Center for American History has created a display honoring the Living Legend in Willie Nelson with an exhibit inside the Red McCombs Red Zone within the north endzone of the Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium on the University of Texas
The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University Library acquired an extensive collection of Willie Nelson’s recordings and papers.Acquired from a fan and consummate collector of Nelson’s work, John Kalinsky, the collection spans 1954 to 2010 and contains 877 recordings, including 45s, LPs, audio cassettes, VHS tapes, CDs, and DVDs.
alisonthree Willie Nelson and Family teamed up with Allison Krause and Jerry Douglas and Union Station for a series of shows. alisontoo. nye
halloweenkid Fans continued to dress their babies up like Willie Nelson, for Halloween. halloweentoo
faa Willie Nelson was honored by Future Farmer’s of America.  He was a member of FFA when he was growing up in Abbott, Texas.
Beautiful designer guitar picks were created to honor his concerts, tours, songs and albums.  Picks designed by Budrock Prewitt and Guthrie Thomas, and tastefully framed here by Guthrie. bobpick
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newark radiocity Willie Nelson and Family played all over the U.S., in some of the most famous venues in the U.S., along with amphitheaters, theaters, private parties, casinos and corn fields. harvest10
acl scottnewtonacl5 Willie Nelson was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame tonight, along with Coach Darrell Royal, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble, and Willie performed, and  Bill Arhos.  Willie was joined by EmmyLou Harris and Lyle Lovett,  for several songs. IMG_0559
The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University Library acquired an extensive collection of Willie Nelson’s recordings and papers.Acquired from a fan and consummate collector of Nelson’s work, John Kalinsky, the collection spans 1954 to 2010 and contains 877 recordings, including 45s, LPs, audio cassettes, VHS tapes, CDs, and DVDs. Willie Nelson and Family welcomed in the new year with family and friends and fans at Austin City Live.  Once again, Willie Nelson & Family celebrated New Year’s Eve at the popular venue, located on Willie Nelson Boulevard, in Austin. nye
Photographs of Willie Nelson were featured in books, magazines and exhibits.
waldenfrabreyWillie Nelson featured i exhibit “Country: Portraits of an American Sound” at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Los Angeles.
faceoftexasThe Face of Texas,”  (2nd ed.) was published in 2014, with eclectic selection of photos of Willie, Kinky Friedman to Lady Bird Johnson to Troy Aikman to ZZ Top. martystuart3Photos taken by Marty Stuart were on display at a gallery in St. Louis, Missouri. clinchbook1Willie Nelson wrote the introduction to this book of Danny Clinch that includes photos of Willie, Mickey Raphael, and other rock legends.  Clinch named the song after a Willie Nelson song, “Still is Still Moving”.
wnglasses esquire2Willie Nelson was featured in art campaign of designer John Varvatos, and he and his sons performed at the John Varvatos fundraiser, for the benefit of the Stuart House (a Rape Treatment Center).  concert raised over one million dollars.  blackbelt3 stuarthouse
youngpipe Willie Nelson and his sons joined Neil Young at “Harvest the Host” concert in Neligh, NE.  Funds raised were used to raise awareness about dangers of Keystone PipeLine. Willie and Neil were honored by Rosebud Sioux and Ogalala Sioux, for humanitarian work. DSC_0131 Honoring of Willie Nelson and Neil Young at Harvest the Hope Concert
judge judge Willie’s cover of the Coldplay song, “The Scientist” is used in move, “The Judge”  (Not on soundtrack though, sadly.)
preacher3 Seth Rogen announces plans to use Willie Nelson song in new tv series he developing, based on the Preacher graphic novels..
RollingStone.com put together the “100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time,” which included both new and old. Willie made the list at #48 with “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” from his 1975 album Red Headed Stranger. He also made #10 with his friend Waylon Jennings for “Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.” You can see the entire list @RollingStone.com 100best
AnnieRayWillie Nelson appeared in, “The Legend Of Shep Gordon.”
a documentary directed by Mike Meyers.  Appearances also by
Tom Arnold,  Michael Douglas and Sylvester Stallone.
willieanneWillie was featured in new documentary about Ann Richards
vets charityWillie donated his voice, time, energy, music, and autographed dozens of guitar, to help raise funds for good causes that he believes in. austinpets3 Win Willie Nelson Signed Guitar
IMG_4729 IMG_4587 Willie Nelson received his fifth level black belt at a ceremony in Austin. IMG_4532
collection major portions of his collection of correspondence, manuscripts, records and awards to the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at The University of Texas at Austin.Along with other music collections at the center, the Willie Nelson Collection provides scholars with a deeper understanding of Nelson’s music, career, relationships and creative process. The collection will be the focus of an upcoming exhibit on the UT Austin campus.
Willie Nelson invited Larry king on board his bus, for an interview and conversation about turning 80, legalizing marijuana and the 2016 presidential race. lk
Willie Nelson opened up his Luck, Texas ranch for “Heartbreaker’s Banquet”, one of the premiere parties and concerts during the South by Southwest Festival in Austin. heartbreakerb heartbreakera nye
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Willie Nelson fan Johnny Depp joined the band and played guitar at the Houston Rodeo, and Boston shows.

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In 2014, more artists were inspired to portray Willie Nelson in their art, in oil, wood, pencil, food and media that you can’t even imagine.

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Willie Nelson’s braids were auctioned off as part of the estate of Waylon Jennings (a gift to him from Willie, to celebrate Waylon’s sobriety). braidssale

Willie Nelson & Family, Austin City Live (Dec. 30, 2014)

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

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Willie Nelson invites family and friends onstage to sing some gospel tunes at end of his show last night.
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Willie Nelson fans and friends

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

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Hanging out with the lovely Rebecca  Thomas, Janis Tillerson and Martha English, before the Willie Nelson & Family show

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The lovely Thomas family!

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Chris, Rebecca, Zac Thompson, with grandma.

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These fans danced through the entire Willie Nelson show.

Make a tax deductible gift to Farm Aid

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

Carrots Farmer

www.FarmAid.org

“Farmers need and appreciate events like Farm Aid that give us the opportunity to reach so many people. I hope and pray with Farm Aid we can make major strides in taking back control of our farms. This is an issue that touches all people.”

— Craig Watts, North Carolina Farmer

Thank you for supporting family farmers with a gift to Farm Aid today. Your donation supports our work to build a family farm food system that protects our farmers, our communities, our planet and our health — all of us!

With your help, family farmers can fight… to stay on their land, to grow good food for all of us, to raise a new generation of farmers to take care of our soil and water. Thanks for doing your part by donating to Farm Aid today.

Donate here:
https://www.kintera.org/site/c.qlI5IhNVJsE/b.5698961/k.84A6/Donate_Today/apps/ka/sd/donorcustom.asp?msource=facebook&kntaw27444=65586D76F7994964A59DA324BB24812D

Willie Nelson & Family, at Austin City Live, Moody Theater (Dec. 30, 2014)

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

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Willie Nelson & Family (Dec. 30, 2014)

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

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Thanks, Terry Thompson, for her photo from last night’s show at Moody Theater in Austin.

Willie Nelson, Austin City Limits

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

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Willie Nelson and his fans

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

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Willie spent so much time with his fans after the show at the Austin City Live Moody Theater last night.

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I think there was a Willie Doll convention at the show last night. Willie signed a lot of dolls.

Men at Work

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

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Nice to see Budrock back where he belongs, after recovering from some freak accidents.

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And Bobby Lemons on the sound board!

Scooterville

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

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Lots of new shirts, hats, posters, music, albums, mugs, and so much more at Scooterville, Willie Nelson’s travelling merchandise store, run by the Franks brother.

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Guitar Pick of the Day: Willie Nelson and Sister Bobby, ‘December Day’

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

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Willie Nelson’s crew

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

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Budrock back at the light board, at Moody Theater, Austin City Live.

And Bobby Lemons, sound engineer.

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Always fun to see Willie Nelson’s crew at the shows, working hard.

“Wait! U got a Willie Nelson shirt on? Respect, I’m out” — Great White Shark

Tuesday, December 30th, 2014

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Everybody looks good in a Willie Nelson shirt.  That’s his lucky shirt now!

Willie Nelson on guitar

Tuesday, December 30th, 2014

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Willie Nelson gets it right again

Tuesday, December 30th, 2014

www.mcalesternews.com
by:  James Bealy

Willie’s Nelson’s new album “December Day” is as smooth as lightly-falling snow and warm as a glowing fireplace on a winter’s afternoon.

Nelson already scored a number one hit earlier this year with “Band of Brothers,” an album filled with backing by ace session musicians and featuring slick production.

The new “December Day” album is subtitled “Willie’s Stash Vol. 1” by “Willie Nelson and Sister Bobbie.” It’s vastly different than “Band of Brothers.” With a few exceptions, the only musicians on most tracks are Willie on guitar and vocals, his sister, Bobbie Nelson, on piano and band member Mickey Raphael on harmonica.

This album doesn’t feature the rollicking outlaw who is in the forefront on “Band of Brothers.” Instead, envision Willie and Bobbie Nelson sitting around playing songs they love, without worrying about commercial consideration. Some songs are so laid-back, they make Nat King Cole sound like punk rock — but in this case, that’s a good thing.

The album has only two upbeat numbers and they bookend the 18 tracks on “December Day.” Still, the number of ballads doesn’t bog down the album, but instead sets a mood.

This is not country music per se, but more of a throwback to Willie’s great 1978 album “Stardust.” The new album is a mix of lesser-known gems from Willie’s back catalogue and standouts from the Great American Songbook, with a few of his newer songs spicing the mix.

One of the best things about the album is it’s filled with Willie’s signature guitar playing on his classical Martin guitar, Trigger. He’s been heavily influenced by jazz great Django Reinhardt and it shows.

Willie fills “December Day” with a number of memorable guitar solos, which makes me wonder why he’s not included more often on lists of the all-time best guitarists.

On “December Day” his vocals are mixed way up-front, along with his guitar. Raphael’s harmonica adds atmospheric shadings throughout the album.