Archive for the ‘Duets and collaborations’ Category
Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard: Poncho and Lefty
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010Willie Nelson and Shelby Lynne sing ‘Stormy Weather’
Saturday, March 13th, 2010Willie Nelson sings, “This Land is Your Land,” with John McCutcheon on children’s album
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Willie Nelson joins Faith Hill, Brenda Lee and other’s and contributes to new children’s album, “Love & Peace — Greatest Hits for Kids.” The album seeks to introduce young music listeners to classic, inspiring songs by a variety of artists. And of course, the rest of us can enjoy it, too.
Willie Nelson sings Woody Guthrie’s classic, ‘This Land is Your Land’ with John McCutcheon and friends on the album. Faith Hills sings with one of her daughters on , ‘Before you Grow.’ Also featured on the album are Brenda Lee, Linda Ronstadt with Andrew Gold, Taj Mahal, Sheila E, and more. The album is in stores now, and on-line.
“Love & Peace – Greatest Hits For Kids” Track List
1. “Baby Beluga” by Raffi
2. “On The Good Ship Lollipop” by Maria Muldaur
3. “Choo Choo Boogaloo” by Buckwheat Zydeco
4. “La Bamba” by Los Lobos
5. “Grandma’s Feather Bed” by Brenda Lee
6. “I Love My Shirt” by Donovan
7. “If I Had A Hammer” by Brian Johnson of AC/DC
8. “Teddy Bears’ Picnic” by The Persuasions
9. “I Really Love To Dance” by Laurie Berkner
10. “The Monster Mash” by Andrew Gold & Linda Ronstadt
11. “Banana Boat Song” by Taj Mahal
12. “Juba Dis And Juba Dat” by Sheila E
13. “This Land Is Your Land” by Willie Nelson, John McCutcheon & Friends
14. “Before You Grow” by Faith Hill
15. “Apple Blossom Fairies” by MFLP Players
16. “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Whiskey River: the story behind the song
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
by David Scarlett
Country Weekley
Johnny Bush’s career as a solo artist was taking off in the early ’70s when he came to a disc jockey convention in Nashville to sign a deal with RCA records. That’s where the Texas native met RCA executive Jerry Bradley, who planted the seed for “Whiskey River,” a song that would blossom into one of the best-loved — and most recorded — in all of country music.
At the time, Johnny had already experienced sucess with a series of hits including, “You Gave Me a Mountain” and “My CUp Runneth Over.” Still, Jerry wanted him to write a very special song.
Johnny picks up the story.
“Jerry told me, ‘Johnny, what we’ve got to do now is, you’ve gotta write a hit.’ And I said, ‘Jerry, with all the songwriters in Nashville — Harlan Howard, Willie Nelson, Hank Cochran, Bill Anderson and people like that we can draw from — you want me to write the song?.”
But Jerry knew Johnny had a hit in him, and put the ball back in Johnny’s court.
“On my way back to Texas from Nashville,” continues Johnny, “I was on my tour bus and when I woke up in Texarkana, I had the idea about ‘Whiskey River.’ And by the time I got home, I had it written.”
Johnny’s recording of the song went on to becoem a Top 15 hit, but his longtime Texas buddy, Willie Nelson, recorded it and made it a huge hit in 1978 — and his signature tune. In fact, Willie has recorded the song over twenty times.
And it’s a good thing. The royalty checks from the song helped sustain Johnny through some lean years that resulted from a rare vocal disorder.
“I’d jsut released ‘Whiskey River’ and it was climbing the charts when it struck,” he recalls. As a result, Johnny’s career took a serious downturn and it would be years before his vocal problem was correctly diagnosed and treated. Now he’s got a new album, Green Snake, and is back working as many dates as he wants to.
But ‘Whiskey River’ and his pal, Willie, were always there for him. Willie even joined Trick Pony in recording the tune for the group’s upcoming album.
“I just hope it makes the cut,” says Johnny modestly. “You know a lot of time songs are recorded that never make it onto the album.”
Don’t worry Johnny. It’ll be there.
– David Scarlett
Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings: Blackjack County Chains
Sunday, March 7th, 2010Willie Nelson and Cheryl Crow: “If I Were a Carpenter” (Johnny Cash 2003 Tribute)
Saturday, March 6th, 2010Willie Nelson and Ray Price
Sunday, February 28th, 2010This dvd is for sale; it’s a great concert:
Willie Nelson, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel on Letterman (2/16/2009)
Saturday, February 27th, 2010Willie Nelson, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel performed on the David Letterman show last year, on February 16, 2010. If you haven’t seen this yet, you’re in for a treat.
Willie Nelson and Bill Mack perform ‘Drinkin’ Champagne (12/16/2009)
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010Willie Nelson and Bill Mack perform “Drinkin’ Champagne” from Luck Films on Vimeo.
Thanks to Luck Films for sharing this video, filmed at Willie Nelson & Family and Friends’ s show at Carl’s Corner, on December 16, 2009. At one point during the show, Willie invited Bill Mack out to sing Bill’s famous song, ‘Drinking Champagne.’
Willie Nelson joins Lee Ann Womack on tour, for a song
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
photo by Gary Miller
LeaAnn Womack is touring with George Strait, and I read that during her show she sings, ‘Mendocino County Line,’ with Willie Nelson, who sings his part of the duet via video. At the end of the song she thanks Willie and he thanks her. Willie and Lee Ann won a grammy for this collaboration.
Has anyone see this show? Is it a special video he made just for her tour?
Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings: Write Your Own Songs
Sunday, February 21st, 2010Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, ‘Mountain Dew’
Thursday, February 18th, 2010Pollstar names Willie Nelson/ John Mellencamp/ Bob Dylan Tour: Most Creative
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
The live music biz honored its own last night at the 21st annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards.
There’s nothing like the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards, an annual affair where the folks that make it happen, including promoters, artist managers, booking agents and technical companies – are the stars of the evening. Add in an open bar and gourmet catering and you have a night to remember. That is, for everyone that can remember last night.
The winners are chosen by the folks that make the concert scene happen. It’s an insider’s look at which bands mattered in 2009, and which companies and individuals kept the concert biz a hummin’ throughout the year.
Without any further delay, here are the winners of the 21st annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards.
Major Tour of the Year:
U2
Music Festival of the Year:
Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (Indio, CA)
International Music Festival of the Year:
Glastonbury Festival (U.K.)
Most Creative Stage Production:
U2
Most Creative Tour Package:
Bob Dylan / John Mellencamp / Willie Nelson
Best New Touring Artist:
Kings Of Leon
New Major Concert Venue:
The Joint at Hard Rock (Las Vegas)
Arena of the Year:
Madison Square Garden
To read entire article, about all the awards:
http://www.pollstar.com/blogs/news/archive/2010/02/18/710099.aspx
Willie Nelson, Nora Jones, ‘Worlitzer Prize’
Monday, February 15th, 2010Willie Nelson and Ray Charles
Saturday, February 13th, 2010
Country Song Roundup
by Elianne Halbersberg
Rhino Home Video released the Willie Nelson Special With Special Guest Ray Charles, filmed before a live audience at the Austin Opera House on May 18, 1984. Talk about a gem plucked form the vaults. Fifteen years later, the songs are timeless, and the Nelson charm simply transcends the ages. In fact, he’s so personable that sometimes it’s easy to forget that you’re watching a video tape.
He and the legendary Ray Charles perform five songs together: ‘I Can’t Stop Loving You,’ ‘ Seven Spanish Angels,’ ‘Angel Eyes,’ ‘ Georgia,’ ‘Mountain Dew,’ and there are also some endearing behind the scenes glimpses of what when on during rehearsals for this outstanding show. Charles, a spectacular blues man and entertainer, is a perfect match for Nelson’s dry wit and musical agility. Their voices weave together beautifully and there’s a chemistry when they perform side by side that is simply beyond words.
There is also a segment where Nelson and his band perform some of his greatest hits: ‘On the Road Again,’ ‘Always On My Mind,’ ‘To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before,’ ‘Without a Song,’ and ‘Whiskey River,’ plus, he is joined at various moments by jazz guitarist Jackie King, who also accompanies him on two swing classic ‘There Will Never Be Another You’ and ‘My Window Faces South.’ Another special treat comes toward the end of the tape, when the camera crew visits Nelson’s hometown of Abbott, Texas — population 349 — where he spent the first 20 years of his life. There are comments form citizens, schoolmates and one of Nelson’s teachers, W.B. Sheppard.
