Archive for the ‘Other bloggers’ Category

“Willie Nelson is my spiritual guru” — Margo Price

Thursday, February 25th, 2021

www.Billboard.com

Margo Price calls Willie Nelson “like my spiritual guru,” and she aims to emulate his “calming energy.” To that end, “I feel a lot better when I’m smoking [weed] and not drinking so much,” she says. “It’s not as taxing on my body. I get on with my day.  “I can’t go out and party like I used to,” admits Price. Self-care is her priority: healthy eating, exercise “and, honestly, smoking a lot of weed.” Years on the road meant lots of time eating at truck stops, getting very little sleep, “so the biggest thing for me now is staying well-rested and healthy. It sucks to have to cancel shows because you’re burned out.”

Read entire article and tips on life from Margo Price here.

Mickey Raphael, on harmonicas

Friday, February 9th, 2018

gettyimages-621869356-cc4f588c-e9e5-4fbf-8fa2-8f592ce19a86

Campaign for Nobel Peace Prize for Willie Nelson

Monday, October 11th, 2010

Alfred Nobel was interested in social issues. He developed a special engagement in the peace movement. An important factor in Nobel’s interest in peace was his acquaintance with Bertha von Suttner. Perhaps his interest in peace was also due to the use of his inventions in warfare and assassination attempts? Peace was the fifth and final prize area that Nobel mentioned in his will.

Henry Dunant, founder of the Red Cross, shared the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 with Frédéric Passy, a leading international pacifist of the time. In addition to humanitarian efforts and peace movements, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded for work in a wide range of fields including advocacy of human rights, mediation of international conflicts, and arms control.

http://neilyoungnews.thrasherswheat.org

A campaign for a Nobel Peace Prize for Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid work has been launched!

Willie Nelson’s efforts for Farm Aid deserve a nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Join the campaign by liking the Willie Nelson for Nobel Peace Prize page on Facebook.

Willie Nelson has been helping family farmers for over 25 years and has raised awareness of healthy foods while raising funds for the cause.

Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land. Dave Matthews joined the Farm Aid Board of Directors in 2001. Farm Aid has raised more than $37 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture. Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to keep family farmers on their land.

Willie Nelson is a Treasure

Saturday, May 1st, 2010

 

HAPPY 77TH BIRTHDAY, RED HEADED STRANGER!!!
www.jambase.com

Willie Nelson is a treasure, pure and simple. One of the strongest, coolest voices to ever emerge from the country world, Nelson is also a ferociously talented guitarist, top notch songwriter, tireless performer and an inspired interpreter of other’s material on par with greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. Yesterday, Willie turned 77-years-old and we couldn’t let the occasion pass without tipping our hat to him. In his honor, we’ve rolled up a sampling of some choice moments in his long, long career. Damn, we’re glad we’ve shared this past near-century with you, mister!

We begin with a smoking version of one of Willie’s most beloved songs.

http://www.jambase.com/Articles/Story.aspx?storyID=22589

[They’ve gathered up a nice collection of videos over there over there.]

Willie Nelson on Larry King (as uplifting as always)

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

www.hemudreport.blogspot.com

Last night I watched the Willie Nelson interview on Larry King. Willie, as uplifting as always, is seldom seen or heard in the mainstream media because he says what he thinks. Last night was no different. Willie turned 77 this month and still tours constantly. He plays to wildly cheering crowds of all ages and political stripes around the globe. His first professional music gig was at age 12. He is, and will always be, a genius and an inspiration to me and millions of others.

Larry’s interview style and personal love for Willie created a perfect venue for him. Willie talked about his old friend Trigger, the Martin guitar he’s played onstage and off for half a century, about some of the great musicians he’s shared the stage with through his long career. He talked about Farm Aid, the damage caused by corporate agriculture, the plight of family farmers and some of his efforts to help them and us fight for safe/healthy foods. He talked about bio-deisel and how his tour’s buses run on it.

Willie wasn’t afraid to talk about subjects usually considered taboo on mainstream media. He questioned the facts about 9-11, the propaganda surrounding it and the media’s complicity. But most heartening to this old pothead Willie continues to unabashedly support the cause.

Willie was wearing a hemp linen suit that’s a part of a non-profit hemp clothing line that he, Woody Harleson and Ziggy Marley have started. He talked about his longterm and and present day recreational use of pot explaining to Larry that he’d smoked up just before doing the interview, that he smoked the herb with pleasure and without remorse. Willie talked about legalization and the upcoming referendum in California this fall and his hopes for its passage saying that he hoped the tax revenue derived from it would be used to increase badly needed education funding there. He said “as California goes, so goes the nation” and that one day marijuana would be legal again everywhere. i sure hope he’s right and that i live long enough to smoke pot grown legally in my garden.

http://themudreport.blogspot.com/2010/04/willie-nelson-on-larry-king.html

Willie Nelson sings, “Pistol Packing Mama”

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

www.blog.cmt.com

Thanks so much to Chris Parton, of CMT for sharing this video with us all.

“The last time I saw Willie Nelson perform “Pistol Packin’ Mama,” it was in the middle of a show comprised almost entirely of classic songs — but none of them were Nelson’s. It was at the Ryman Auditorium and I figured that Nelson just needed a break from the usual list of fan favorites. As it turns out, tough, he was previewing songs from his upcoming album, Country Music. In this performance from PBS Soundstage, we get a sense of what that project will be like when it’s released on April 20. Like the rest of the songs on Country Music, “Pistol Packin’ Mama” has a little bluegrass flavor, adding one more musical style to Nelson’s ever-expanding bag of tricks.”

— Chris Parton

http://blog.cmt.com/2010-04-13/willie-nelson-shoots-a-pistol-packin-mama/

Paul English and Friends

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Jeremy Tepper, Program Director for Sirius/XM Radio, Paul English, Jody Denberg, of Austin, and John Rosenfelder, of NYC and
www.Earbender.com, at Carl’s Corner, Texas.

Songwriter (Review by the 9513)

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

songwriter

Review by Juli Thanki
www.the9513.com

I think I’d watch Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson in any type of movie. Buddy cop, period piece, tastefully shot erotica…well, maybe not any type of movie. In 1984’s Songwriter, they basically seem to be playing alternate universe versions of themselves. Nelson is Doc Jenkins, a great singer/songwriter with aspirations of making a fortune as a music mogul. Kristofferson is Jenkins’ best pal, Blackie Buck, a charismatic and frequently shirtless country artist who “drinks so people don’t think [he’s] a dope fiend.”

When Doc gets caught up in a bad publishing deal thanks to sleazy businessman Rodeo Rocky, he calls on Blackie to help him out. Wackiness ensues, as it so often does in a Willie Nelson movie. Doc cooks up a plot to make some money and screw over Rocky. He discovers Gilda, a slightly nutty up and coming singer, then slaps Blackie and Gilda’s names on songs he writes, telling them, “you get the credit, I get the money.”
Can Doc scheme his way out of Rodeo Rocky’s contract and make enough money to provide for his kids and ex-wife, who he may still love? And just exactly how much of this film is based on the exploits of Nelson and Kristofferson in their rowdier days? Nelson, who sold the wildly successful song “Night Life” for peanuts, sure learned about the ins and outs of the music business the hard way, so there might be a grain of truth in Doc’s plotting.

Songwriter doesn’t ever take itself too seriously, mostly because its two leading men sure seem to be having a blast, thus suggesting that the question Blackie poses to Doc, “Do you suppose a man has to be a miserable son of a bitch all the time just to write a good song now and then” might not be true after all. Celluloid Country repeat offender Lesley Ann Warren is excellent as neurotic, drunk, girl singer Gilda (she was nominated for a Golden Globe), and there are a couple other recognizable faces in the mix, including Rip Torn (Payday) as slick promoter Dino. Members of Willie’s band and Stephen Bruton show up as well in Songwriter, appearing as…the band. Rodeo Rocky is played by Richard C. Sarafian, best known around these parts as the director of the supercreepy “Living Doll” episode of The Twilight Zone, while the film’s actual director, Alan Rudolph, is an Altman disciple who’d again work with Kristofferson in Trouble in Mind.

To read the rest of the review, and to visit the great www.the9513.com blog:
http://www.the9513.com/celluloid-country-kris-kristofferson-and-willie-nelson-in-songwriter/

The Highwaymen on Tour (1990)

Monday, August 24th, 2009

highway 

Thanks to http://ozzybeef.wordpress.com, for sharing this picture at his ‘It’s Great To Be Alive” blog.  I always get a pick-me-up from all the music he has posted there, and learn something, too.

9/9 – LITTLE ROCK – AR
9/10 – DALLAS – TX
9/11 – HOUSTON – TX
9/13 – LAS CRUCES – NM
9/14 – DENVER – CO
9/17 – TUCSON – AZ
9/18 – PHOENIX – AZ
9/19 – LAKESIDE – CA
9/20 – BAKERSFIELD – CA
9/21 – UNIVERSAL CITY – CA
9/22 – COSTS MESA – CA
9/25 – PORTLAND – OR
9/27 – SACRAMENTO – CA
9/28 – CONCORD – CA
9/29 MOUNTAIN VIEW – CA
10/1 -UNIVERSAL – CA
10/2 – FRESNO – CA
10/3 – BURBANK – CA
10/4-9 LAS VEGAS – NV

“Johnny Cash was concerned about the plight of Arkansas farmers following the televised reports of serious spring flooding.  He wanted to do something and thought of a benefit concert by the Highwaymen.  Since Barton Coliseum was available at the beginning of the group’s 1990 Southwestern United Sates tour, he started the wheels rolling.  Cash called Governor Bill Clinton who arranged for hte ticket money to be given to the Arkansas Office of Emergency Services so there would be no overhead or administrative expenses for distribution to Arkansas farmers.

So the Highwaymen were  here to give a concert.  But more than that, they were here to give their talents so that all of the proceeds ($196,437.00) from this concert can help with farm flooding relief.  The Highwaymen, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash, normally receive more than $100,000 per concert, but appeared here at no charge.  The Arkansas Democrat, radio station KSSN and KARK-TV agreed to present and promote the concert.  Arkansas businesses, corporations and individuals have donated funds to cover the remaining costs of the concert.”

Jan Coney
Wright, Arkansas

John Rosenfelder: Willie Nelson’s made ‘The Greatest Video Ever Made’ (Shoeshine Man)

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

www.earbender.com
by John Rosenfelder

“At 76, there is no technology or creative situation that the man Willie Nelson can’t master. In this incredible video, which Willie directed himself, we see him at his desk in the bus, but are soon taken on a TRIP including a mad roller coaster ride. In the midst of the madness, Sister Bobbie makes a brief appearance.

YouTube indeed. This may be the first video that actually shows a vaporizer in use (and its harrowing effects on the user). It’s also pretty impressive because it is NOT the first track from a very serious and well-produced Willie album coming out in a few weeks on EMI, “American Classic,” nor is it from Lost Highway’s quickee compilation “Lost Highway.”

It’s exclusively on air at Sirius XM’s “Willie’s Place” and “Outlaw Country” straight from “Willie’s Private Stash”!!!!

Nice one Willie!”

http://www.earbender.com/2009/08/05/willie-nelson-with-the-greatest-music-video-ever-made/

willie Nelson in Indiana (6/6/09)

Monday, June 8th, 2009


www.WillieNelson.com

www.Mephistos.com
by Ray Mephistos

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to see a concert that I had been trying to catch for sometime and the stars finally alligned in heavens correctly for it to occur.  Willie Nelson played a show at the summer outdoor concert series at Horseshoe Casino and Resort over in Indiana just across the river from Louisville.  

It was a perfect ending to a good early summer day that had started with the afternoon at Churchill Downs, later watching the Belmont and realizing I had the winner and the trifecta, and then the playing and singing to one hit after another of Willie in the outside air as the sun slowly set behind the hills to our west.

Willie was as I expected, pure old style musician.  He on a few occasions moved from his place on stage and occasionally even cut things up some with members of the band and family.  Generally though it was straight up Willie in front of two microphones, the old beat up guitar that has a hole in it, and just pure singing out the tunes.   That old guitar with the whole in it is why I felt I had to the concert soon.  Willie has said when it is dead he figures it is time for him to quit playing music.

I could not begin to name all the songs that he sung in his typical fashion but a large number of his biggest hits were there, mixed in with more then a few classic favorites from along the way of other artists, a few spirituals and a couple of songs he wrote and other folks made famous.  Obvious songs were Always on My Mind, Too the Girls I’ve Loved Before, Whiskey River, Beer for my Horses,  Crazy,  Me and Bobbie McGee, and of course On the Road Again.

The crowd was nice and very appreciative of the effort put forth by Willie and the gang.  The weather could not have been order to be more perfect, nice sunshine giving way to clean evening skies with just the perfect temperature throughout.  The setup of the outdoor area was fairly small in nature and at least from my vantage did not seem to have a bad seat as far the view.  I will say the tight bleachers in general admission were a bit much on the back thirty minutes into the show though.

The only real complaint that I could make would be in regards to the customer service of the staff at the venue.  Actually, I should more correctly say the thing to complain about was lack of customer service.  Not to put to much into it I will simply say when someone in a party has an obvious broken foot an extra level of care should be extended.  Common courtesy should be extended regardless of a broken foot or not.  Sad to say the staff of Horseshoe (in particular – not special event staff) were at best less then helpful and at worse just rude.

All that aside, the tickets were well worth it and I am glad I got a chance to see the legend.  If you have your own opportunity to see Willie in the next few years I would jump on the chance.

Nominate Willie Nelson for the Supreme Court

Saturday, May 2nd, 2009

supreme2

I know folks have written in Willie Nelson’s name on presidential ballots, but (so far) Chris Rodell of www.redroom.com  is the first to put Willie’s name forward for the Supreme Court.   He’s got my support:

It’s time President Obama electrify the country by nominating someone who is not a judge, but who has appeared before plenty of them.

That means it’s time to nominate Willie Nelson for the Supreme Court. He’s the anti-John Roberts, a man who looks so white bread it’s surprising no one’s slapped some baloney and mustard on him for tasteful improvement.

Willie has the life experiences Americans need from an understanding justice. And he’s left a long paper trail, although, granted, most of it has been wrapped around marijuana leaves and smoked.

He proved he understands health care issues when he wisely remarked, “Remember, simple chronic halitosis is better than no breath at all.”

He’s a man of family values who’s opined, “There are no such thing as ex-wives. There are only additional wives.”

As far as the role of judicial restraint in the war on drugs, he’s on record as saying: “Legalizing marijuana would actually reduce crime … It’s kept me from killing a bunch of people.”

He understands that at times the roles of church and state do intersect when he warned “not to forget the less fortunate or God will personally kick your ass. I’d do it for him,” Willie said, “but I can’t be everywhere.”

Many interest groups are urging President Obama to nominate a person of color. I’d like him to nominate a colorful person.

Willie and the Supremes! Sounds like a surefire hit to me.

To read entire entry, and more of Mr. Rodell’s work:
http://www.redroom.com/blog/chris-rodell/willie-nelson-high-court

Willie Nelson and Family, State Theater, New Brunswick, NJ last night

Sunday, April 19th, 2009

Thanks to John Rosenfelder, of http://www.earbender.com, for posting this video from last night’s Willie Nelson & Family show last night at the State Theater, New Brunswick, NJ.

Follow John’s blog, too, it’s so worth the click.  It’s entertaining, informative, hip, enjoyable.  You’ll thank me later.

Paula Nelson, George Devore at the sxsw interactive at the techset/windows mobile blogger lounge, sxsw

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

Thanks to John Rosenfelder, of NYC,  for sending this video of Paula Nelson and George Devore performing at sxsw in Austin last month.

John and his company earbender (www.earbender.com) along with his partner Loren Feldman of www.1938media.com sponsored the performance in sxsw interactive at the techset/windows mobile blogger lounge, in the convention center. 

Paula is interviewed here by Owen Stone.  And you are in for a treat.  Paul and George do a nice set, and play a couple new songs, along with some favorites of their albums.   One new song,  is “Rhythm and Rhyme”:  “There’s nothing like some rhythm and rhyme, to pass the time.  Every time I think that I’m wrong, I’m wrong”  Oh, she can turn a phrase, can’t she,  just like her daddy.

Good job, John.  Thanks!

Naked Willie: The 9513’s Review

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

naked1

Paul W. Dennis
www.the9513.com  

Being among the oldest contributors to this blog (born in 52), I am one of the few who remembers hearing Willie Nelson’s recordings on the radio during the period he recorded for RCA (1965-70). Even though he had no major hits while on RCA, Willie was greatly respected as a songwriter and personality. While he may not have received much airplay elsewhere, on WCMS-AM in Norfolk, VA, disc jockeys Russ Cassidy, “Hopalong” Joe Hoppel and “Carolina” Charlie Wiggs gave all of his records plenty of spins.

Readers to this blog know that I am a traditionalist in my country music tastes, but one who also has a taste for classic pop standards and jazz. So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that I liked Willie’s output while with RCA. During these years, Willie was at his absolute vocal peak (before time and 40 years of marijuana use had reduced his range). He was also, at this time, at his peak as a songwriter. RCA honcho Chet Atkins allowed Willie the freedom to record his own songs and hired the best country musicians to play his sessions (Bob Moore, Jerry Reed, Grady Martin, Jimmy Day, etc.).

The problem is that after making these brilliant country recordings, Atkins applied symphonic strings and the Anita Kerr singers on top of the mix before issuing the records. While I have no objections to the so-called “Nashville Sound” production when applied to Jim Reeves or many other singers, on Willie Nelson it was much like getting dressed in a tuxedo and tails and topping the outfit off by wearing a beanie with a propeller.

Despite the syrup poured over Willie’s recordings, I recognized the hidden gems that Atkins had recorded with Willie and hoped that someday Willie would revisit some of the songs with a more sympathetic backing.

Fortunately, Willie’s long-time harmonica player, Mickey Raphael, felt the same way about these recordings and secured Willie’s blessing to take seventeen of the RCA classics and “unproduce” them, stripping away the layers of strings and background singers, then remixing the band and Willie’s vocals to bring them front and center.

To read the rest of the article:  http://www.the9513.com/album-review-willie-nelson-naked-willie/