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“Thanks, Willie” (another satisfied Willie Nelson fan)

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Steve Champion surprised his wife with tickets to see Willie Nelson and Family for their 25th Wedding Anniversary. Then, Willie Nelson surprised them both. Steve posted about it, with pictures, at his blog at:
www.kickacts.com

“Life sure is full of its ups and downs. While we try our best to make our plans and anticipate the changes we see coming our way, the truth is, we just don’t know where and when most of those ups and downs are going to happen. This past week was one of those times. Thankfully, it was one of the “ups”.

My wife’s family is from Hill County, Texas. It’s rough, hard-scrabble central Texas country that isn’t known for much more that producing cotton and a few steers. There is one other thing any proud Hill County resident can claim though, Willie Nelson was born and raised in Abbott, Texas, smack dab in the middle of Hill County.

Well, it turns out that my lovely wife and I were about to celebrate our 25th Anniversary and I was in dire need of the right gift when I heard that Willie was coming to play The Center, in Evansville. So, I got us some decent seats. I had been following Willie Nelson as a fanon Facebook after buying the tickets, all the while keeping them a secret from my wife when Iwas struck with one of my dumb ideas. I wrote a short and sweet email to Willie’s fan site and asked if there was any way for this Hill County Girl to meet Willie on her 25th Anniversary. I figured it was worth a shot, right?

Well, I didn’t hear anything back and really sort of forgot about it. Then, a few hours before the show I got a call, one of those unanticipated “ups”, from one of Willie’s folks with a special surprise. Willie honored his former Hill County neighbor with backstage passes to the show.

I doubt I need to go into how much she enjoyed seeing one of her lifelong Texas heroes play from just a few feet away. We both sang and clapped our hands and had the time of our lives. It was surely a once-in-a-lifetime night and I’m sure we’ll talk about it until we’re both old and gray. What a wonderful, wonderful gift.

Thanks Willie”

– Steve Champion

Posted in Fans | 1 Comment »

The Free Willie Nelson

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

freelisa

Lisa, from Texas, sent this picture of the Free Willie Nelson van she spotted in New York.

Today, Ron, the owner owner of the van, responded:

“It’s mine. The idea is the outside is painted like an orca (Free Willie) the inside is old warm cowboy, Americana (Willie Nelson) hence the Free Willie Nelson.

Thank you for your kind remarks about the Free Willie Nelson. Unlike every other vehicle parked in the streets of manhattan the Free Willie Nelson gives back to the community with a nice deck on the rear where people can sit and smoke, eat a snack, sit in the sun and watch the world go by, or chat.

Often my friends come by and we sit inside and jam. It’s worth noting the Free Willie Nelson is the same size as my apartment, there by doubling my living space. Unlike my apartment it costs about $800 per year to own and it transports up to sixteen people out to the Mermaid Parade, Floyd Bennett Field, Dead Horse Bay, Wood-stock or away from ground zero on that terrible day.

This summer we are talking about putting on a rooftop garden.

I know that not everyone is going to get it or like it but if you take a man in the street pole, except for the people who want the parking spot, most all really like it.

This is a ride for the nomadic spirit, the open road and a romantic time in our history when people weren’t afraid to boldly just go.

Again, it’s not for everyone.

If you want to take pictures of the inside just E-mail me and I’ll set it up or just show up during the hours the street is being cleaned.

Why the fence? The white picket fence is an American dream icon and in this application are the teeth of the whale.”

Thanks, Ron! This pictures has shown up on the internet from time to time, and I love getting to hear your story. I think the roof garden is a great idea. If I lived in NYC, I’d come hang out, for sure.

free

Posted in Fans | 2 Comments »

Friday, February 26th, 2010

I’m just happy I always look my best after a show, so if I run into someone as pretty as Paula Nelson, I never mind posing for a picture with her!

(What is it with my hair. Why doesn’t anybody ever say something, like, “Linda, have you ever thought about seeing a stylist, or maybe not cutting your own hair?)”

Oh well, I was having a good time anyway, at the BackYard in 2008.

Posted in Fans, Paula Nelson | 9 Comments »

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Posted in Fans, Pictures | No Comments »

Another Willie Nelson Fan: Lana, from Texas

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Lana and Bee, at a recent Houston, Texas show. Oh, she’s growing up – here she is a few years ago, with Bee:

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With her mom Lisa, and little brother Willie, at Willie’s Pedernales Golf Course outside of Austin

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Taking care of Willie Doll

And with Willie

lisap2

Posted in Bee Spears, Fans, Pictures, Willie Doll On the Road Again | 13 Comments »

July 4, 2005, with Willie Nelson, in Fort Worth, Texas

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

This is one of the laminates that Janis from Texas has made over the years, and handed out at Willie’s 4th of July Picnics. Jan/RailRoadlady from Texas gave me the lanyard. And Willie Nelson gave me his autograph! Oh, those Texans are generous with their sweet gifts.

Posted in Fans, Picnic | No Comments »

Willie Nelson and Family, Hot Springs, Arkansas (2/21/2010)

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Thanks so much to Kenneth, for sending me these great pictures he took last night at the Willie Nelson and Family show at the Summitt, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

I am so grateful to all the Willie Nelson fans who kindly send me pictures from shows, and videos, souvenirs and stories, to share here. We other fans appreciate it!

Enjoy Kenneth’s wonderful photos from last night’s show….

“Willie did Nobody’s Fault But Mine, off his new album and you could almost hear a pin drop in Summit Arena” — Kenneth

Posted in Fans, Pictures | 1 Comment »

Willie Nelson, on PBS SoundStage, Chicago

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Thanks to Luke of www.ItsGreattobealive.com for sending me a link to this great story posted by M. Stillman at the unofficial martin guitar forum, about being at the taping of Willie Nelson’s performance for the PBS Soundstage show last September. (The show will air on 2/20 (or 2/25) on PBS — check your local listings for details.)

http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.yuku.com
by M. Stillman

The Soundstage taping was a fine evening of music…. more bluegrass-flavored than strictly bluegrass, with some traditional country and even contemporary country songs. Willie did only two of his own songs, starting and ending with “Whiskey River” and also “Man With The Blues” which he said he wrote “fifty years ago, and recorded in a friend’s basement.”

The band was nine pieces, including Willie, who took a jazzy guitar break on almost every song with Trigger, the 1969 Martin N-20 that’s been his hoss for decades now. Willie introduced each musician during Whiskey River, and let each take a short instrumental break as they were introduced. Chris and his D-21 sounded great. Other musicians included the brilliant Riley Baugus on banjo, Jim Lauderdale on backing vocals and acoustic guitar, Russ Paul on pedal steel, Dennis Crouch on bass, and Mickey Raphael on harmonica (the only holdover from Willie’s regular band), as well as a mandolin player and a fiddle player whose names I didn’t catch (sorry).

Willie was very appreciative of the musicians, saying “I’m very proud of these guys,” and he shook each of their hands on stage after the taping was over. For me, some of the highlights included “Satan, Your Kingdom Come Down” a spine-tingling gospel tune in Em, which Willie said that T-Bone Burnett had brought to the session. Another great one was the Hank Locklin tune “Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On” which was a fine choice for Willie’s winsome vocals.

It was nice to hear Willie mention the songwriter before almost every song, sometimes making brief remarks about his interactions with the songwriter or when he first heard the song. This Soundstage program will air on various PBS stations beginning in January, so mark your calendars now.

I’ve scanned a copy of the actual setlist and included it below.

Posted in Fans, television | 7 Comments »

Another Willie Nelson Fan

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Posted in Clothing, Fans | 12 Comments »

Willie Nelson and Family, House of Blues, New Orleans

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

http://sinclairfamily-maria.blogspot.com
Maria
Pearl River, Louisiana

Jeff & I went to the French Quarter in Nola to see Willie Nelson perform @ the House of Blues recently courtesy of Wnoe

Everyone loves Willie. He is so iconic but for Jeff it meant more to him. As a kid, Jeff grew up listening to old country. Whether it was in his Dad’s truck or outside working on vehicles, old country was playing. To this day, if we are in the car on Saturday nights, no one can change Wnoe’s Classic Country on the radio.

I looked back at Jeff who was standing right behind me, he looked a little sad. I asked if he was okay and he said he was thinking about his Dad and how much he would have enjoyed the concert.

I’m so glad we were able to go, not just for a nice evening with just the 2 of us, but for Jeff.

Posted in Fans, Pictures | No Comments »

Willie Nelson, in Houston (January 9, 2010)

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

I love this picture of Willie from the show in Houston last month, on a revolving stage. It really shows how Willie embraces his fans at a concert. He doesn’t spend the whole show like that, of course, but he still manages to makes his fans feel like he is holding them dear.

Photographer David Clements was at the Houston, TX show, and took this photograph. His photographs are great. And thanks to Lisa from Houston for turning me on to his photos.

Posted in Fans, Pictures | 3 Comments »

Speaking of Willie Nelson Art: On a Nashville Wall

Friday, January 29th, 2010

Thanks to Ned for sending this picture he took of the mural in Nashville. Ned was in town to see Kris Kristofferson. Willie and Kris: the guy’s got good taste, no denying it. He wrote:

“Speaking of Willie art – Was in Nashville yesterday to see
Kris Kristofferson bring the house down at the Ryman Auditorium. Amazing show!

Checked in the hotel, opened the curtains, looked out on the street and saw a big Willie Nelson mural. Figured I was in the right hotel (Hampton Inn on 4th Street).

As always, you’re welcome to use the pic.

p.s. Also got some fun pics inside the Willie Nelson Museum out at Opryland. A gold mine of Willie paraphernalia.”

Am I wrong, or are Willie Nelson fans just the nicest people?

Posted in Fans, Willie Nelson Art, black and white | 7 Comments »

Tweets about Willie Nelson

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Rainn Wilson: Really Loves Willie Nelson

If Willie Nelson made a pass at me, I’d sigh and be like: “Fine. Whatever. You’re Willie Nelson, let’s do this.” –@rainnwilson

Posted in Fans | No Comments »

Willie Nelson and Family and Jennifer, in Huntsville, AL (1/19/2010)

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

Willie Nelson fan Jennifer sent stories and pictures from her adventures in seeing Willie Nelson and Family, and Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real in Huntsville, Alabama.

“Willie threw me his hat!!!! Well, it was a hat someone had thrown up on stage to him, he had tried to throw a bandana to me twice, but couldn’t get enough air under it, but anyways then he signed it and my bandana for me after the show was over. Willie reached down and hugged me and the woman standing next to me and touched my cheek, I felt so special.