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By Mary Alice Blackwell
He has performed with some of the biggest names in county, pop, rock, blues, jazz and reggae.
On Saturday night, the outlaw of country music will be paired with the clown prince of medicine.
Oh, they may not be singing together, but Nelson and his family will be at the Charlottesville Pavilion to help raise funds and awareness for Patch Adams’ Teaching Center and Clinic.
While just about everybody on the face of the earth has heard of Nelson, Adams also has a sizable reputation in the medical field. It even spilled over into entertainment circles in 1998, when Robin Williams starred in “Patch Adams,” a movie based on Adams’ life.
There is also a bit of local connection. Patch Adams the man went to medical school at Virginia Commonwealth University. “Patch Adams” the movie was directed by University of Virginia graduate and “Evan Almighty” director Tom Shadyac.
In the film, Williams deftly portrayed how the doctor used laughter, love and creativity in the healing process. The clinic in the film is almost a model of the real 40-bed clinic Adams wants to build in Pocahontas County in West Virginia.
Proceeds from Nelson’s concert will help raise money to raise the roof, walls, door and windows on Adams’ clinic.
Dr. Adams will attend the concert and will speak about his ideals of love, compassion and joy just before Nelson takes the stage. The director of the Gesundheit! Institute – a home-based free hospital – says he wants to put the “care” in healthcare.
And Nelson is no stranger to helping out a caring cause. For 25 years, his name has been linked to Farm Aid. He’s also linked to some of the most memorable music of our era.
His latest album, “American Classic,” is a brand-new collection of American standards. Among the familiar names he drew in for this project were Norah Jones and Diana Krall.
But that’s the way of Willie. Not only is he an extraordinary talented writer and performer on his own, he has had phenomenal success when he collaborates with others.
He and Waylon Jennings were labeled outlaws when they stepped outside what was the expected norm of country music. But their hits, including “Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys” and “Good Hearted Woman” – made those outside the country circles take notice.
Of course, Willie is known for some of the most beautiful of country’s songs, including “On the Road Again” and “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.” He also is a gifted writer, penning “Crazy” for Patsy Cline. (He was even in Winchester last year to dedicate the Patsy Cline Theatre.)
And he has performed alongside county’s legends – Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard.
But the 10-time braided Grammy winner also climbed in the pop charts with “Always on My Mind.”
He recorded “To All the Girls I Loved Before” with Julio Iglesias and his more recent singing partners have included Wynton Marsalis (“Two Men With the Blues”), Asleep at the Wheel and Ziggy Marley. Dave Matthews, another local connection, also has shared the stage with Nelson.
On Saturday, however, Willie Nelson will sing with his family, but he will partner with Patch Adams.
Music soothes the soul … while laughter is the best medicine.
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[...] Willie Nelson and Patch Adams: music, and laughter, for a good cause (stillisstillmoving.com) [...]