Archive for January, 2016

Willie Nelson and the Electric Mayhem Band

Sunday, January 31st, 2016

muppet2

Oh, this looks like fun, doesn’t it?  I’d pay to go to that concert.  I don’t know when this will air.

moremuppet

muppet1

muppet3

They travel by bus, too.

This day in Willie Nelson History: American Music Award (1977)

Sunday, January 31st, 2016

On January 31, 1977, Willie Nelson was presented with an American Music Award for Favorite Country Single for “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain

I saw Willie in Branson, Missouri

Sunday, January 31st, 2016

branson

Willie Nelson covers Kermit the Frog, “Rainbow Connection”

Sunday, January 31st, 2016

This is one of the most beautiful music videos ever. The music is so great.

Saturday, January 30th, 2016

blackw

I heart Willie Nelson

Saturday, January 30th, 2016

heart mug

 

Lots of heart-felt gifts at www.WillieNelson.com, like this mug.  Shirts and albums, too.  Don’t wait for the next Hallmark holiday, just get one now and give it to someone you love, or even someone you’d like to get to know better.  A great ice breaker.

Willie Nelson and Jody Payne

Saturday, January 30th, 2016

jody

Willie Nelson and Family on Tour

Saturday, January 30th, 2016

Always confirm shows and get tickets at
www.WillieNelson.com.

_________________________________________________

Feb 5

IP Casino Resort & Spa
Biloxi, MS
_________________________________________________

Feb 6
IP Casino Resort & Spa
Biloxi, MS
_________________________________________________

Feb 8
UGA Tifton Conference Center
Tifton, GA
_________________________________________________

Feb 9
The Fillmore
Charlotte, NC.
_________________________________________________

Feb 11, 12
Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Nashville, TN
_________________________________________________

Feb 13
Horseshoe Casino Riverdome
Bossier City, LA
__________________________________________________

Mar 2
Rosa Hart Theater
Lake Charles, LA
__________________________________________________

Mar 4
Ruth Eckerd Hall
Clearwater, FL
_________________________________________________

Mar 5
Gator Jam Festival
Miami, FL
_________________________________________________

Mar 6
Artis-Naples  Hayes Hall
Naples, FL
_________________________________________________

Mar 8
Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center
The Villages, FL
_________________________________________________

Mar 10
Texas Club
Baton Rouge, LA
_________________________________________________

Mar 11
Redneck Country Club
Stafford, TX
_________________________________________________

Mar 12
Austin Rodeo
Austin, TX
_________________________________________________

Mar 16
Bridgestone Arena
The Life and Songs of Kris Kristofferson
Nashville, TN
_________________________________________________

April 7
Show Me Theater
Cape Giradeau, MO
with Merle Haggard
_________________________________________________

Apr 8
O’Reilly Family Event Center
Springfield, MO
with Merle Haggard
_________________________________________________

Apr 9
Peabody Opera House
St. Louis, MO
with Merle Haggard
_________________________________________________

Apr 11
Silverstein Eye Centers Arena
Independence, MO
with Merle Haggard
________________________________________________

Apr 12
Heartland Arena
Park City, KS
with Merle Haggard
________________________________________________

Apr 13
Enid Event Center
Enid, OK
with Merle Haggard
_________________________________________________

Apr 15, 16, 17
Whitewater Amphitheater with Merle Haggard
New Braunfels, TX
________________________________________________

May 19
Florence Civic Center with Merle Haggard
Florence, SC
Rescheduled from Oct. 15, 2015

_________________________________________________

May 21
Harrah’s Cherokee
Cherokee, NC
__________________________________________________

May 28
Florida Country Superfest
Daytona Beach, FL
______________________________________

Willie Nelson sings with Cyndi Lauper on her new album, “Detour” (out May 6, 2016)

Saturday, January 30th, 2016

Willie Nelson is one of many artists invited by Cyndi Lauper to sing with her on her new album, “Detour.” Willie Nelson and Cyndi Lauper previewed their duet at the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize Award concert last November.

detour

1. “Funnel Of Love”
2. “Detour” (Featuring Emmylou Harris)
3. “Misty Blue”
4. “Walkin’ After Midnight”
5. “Heartaches By The Number”
6. “The End Of The World”
7. “Night Life” – Featuring Willie Nelson
8. “Begging To You”
9. “You’re The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly” (Featuring Vince Gill)
10. “I Fall To Pieces”
11. “I Want To Be A Cowboy’s Sweetheart” (Featuring Jewel)
12. “Hard Candy Christmas” (Featuring Alison Krauss)

This day in Willie Nelson history (January 30, 2004)

Saturday, January 30th, 2016

for tgif 1/30/04 photo from movieweb.combigbounce

On January 30, 2004, the movie “The Big Bounce”, opened.

bounce2

Thank you, Mark, from Willie Nelson’s Museum and General Store, (www.WillieNelsonMuseum.com), for finding this gem, a still from the movie, “The Big Bounce” released in 2004, also starring Owen Wilson, Gary Sinese, Morgan Freeman, Charlie Sheen, Bebe Neuwirth, Harry Dean Stanton, Gregory Sporleder, Steve Jones, Director: George Armitage

bigbounce2

Farm Aid 2006 (Tweeter Center)

Saturday, January 30th, 2016

Willie Nelson, Farm Aid 2012

Friday, January 29th, 2016

doubletrouble

Willie Nelson, Colexico, “Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)”

Friday, January 29th, 2016

“All Along the Watchtower” – Eddie Vedder and The Million Dollar Bashers
“I’m Not There” – Sonic Youth
“Goin’ to Acapulco” – Jim James and Calexico
“Tombstone Blues” – Richie Havens
“Ballad of a Thin Man” – Stephen Malkmus and The Million Dollar Bashers
“Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again” – Cat Power
“Pressing On” – John Doe
“4th Time Around” – Yo La Tengo and Buckwheat Zydeco
“Dark Eyes” – Iron & Wine and Calexico
“Highway 61 Revisited” – Karen O and The Million Dollar Bashers
“One More Cup of Coffee” – Roger McGuinn and Calexico
“The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” – Mason Jennings
“Billy 1” – Los Lobos
“Simple Twist of Fate” – Jeff Tweedy
“Man in the Long Black Coat” – Mark Lanegan
“Señor (Tales of Yankee Power)” – Willie Nelson and Calexico

Greta said, “Just because we are older doesn’t mean we stop doing what we love. To Willie, 82 is just a number”

Friday, January 29th, 2016

orangefair

ww.sanclementetimes.com
by:  Tom Blake

Last August, Willie Nelson was scheduled to perform at the Orange County Fair. My life partner Greta Cohn and I, and our Dana Point friends, Ron and Lee Cohan, had tickets for the concert at the Pacific Amphitheatre, an outdoor venue. The four of us realized it would probably be our last chance to see Willie, a country music legend; he turns 83 this April 29.

We were in our seats; the band’s instruments were in place on the stage. And then it started raining hard; the show was canceled.

Three months later, when the four of us heard Willie would be performing this Jan. 6 at the Grove in Anaheim, we purchased tickets.

On the night of the concert, it rained again, but the Grove is an indoor venue, so we knew the show would go on. I will admit, however, the possibility of a rain-caused cancelation crossed my mind as we made the drive to Anaheim.

Frankly, my expectations about Willie performing were modest. I imagined that his family members, including his sons Micah and Lukas on guitars and “little sister” Bobbie, as Willie calls her, on piano, would be the primary performers, and that Willie would sing only a few songs.

When the lights dimmed, Willie led his band onto the stage. He was wearing a T-shirt with “Maui” printed on the front and his usual red bandana headband.

Willie picked up Trigger, the name he’s given to his ancient Martin N-20 classical guitar that he’s had for 47 years—the one with a gaping hole and faded autographs from famous people such as Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings on it. He began with one of his classics, “Whiskey River.” The four of us were surprised by how great Willie and his band sounded.

He was on stage nonstop for more than 90 minutes. He sang: “Georgia on My Mind,” “On the Road Again,” “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground,” “Crazy,” “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die,” “Good-Hearted Woman,” “Always on My Mind” and about 25 other songs, all of them familiar.

He was gracious and personable. Fans kept tossing cowboy hats onto the stage. Willie would wear the hats for a couple of songs and then toss them to the crowd Frisbee-style. He also threw five headbands to the crowd.

Another Orange County friend, Ken Stetter, and his girlfriend Peggy McGuire, were seated in the same aisle about 20 feet away, although I didn’t know that until a week later.

“I, too, went to see Willie Nelson, with Peggy,” Ken said. “We also had tickets this summer at the fair. I thought his ‘little sister’ Bobbie was a huge plus—really good musician. I had a great night, like you. Two thumbs up!”

“Little sister” Bobbie is 85 years old.

Greta and I didn’t know if we’d ever see Willie again. However, a week later we did—only this time it wasn’t in person. On Friday, Jan. 15, we watched on PBS TV station KCET, Willie receiving The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

He had received the award on Nov. 18, 2015, in Washington, D.C. A multitude of entertainers performed his music as he and his wife sat in a booth above and to the side of the stage.

Johnny Cash’s daughter, Rosanne, performed “Pancho and Lefty,” and Alison Krauss of the group Union Station performed, “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.” Paul Simon and Neil Young also sang. It was an incredible night of music.

After Willie received the award on stage, he strapped on Trigger and did a few songs with all of the guest performers joining him. With a career that spans six decades, his final song was, appropriately enough, “On the Road Again.”

Greta said, “Just because we are older doesn’t mean we stop doing what we love. To Willie, 82 is just a number.”

Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middle-aged dating. His latest book can be found online atwww.smashwords.com/books/view/574810. See his website at www.findingloveafter60.com (Yes, after 60; time rolls on.) To comment: tompblake@gmail.com.

Friday, January 29th, 2016

playground2