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Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel headlined a fundraiser last Friday to Benefit the National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws (NORML), The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) and Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM).

The show was emceed by NORML Advisory Board member, and crowd favorite former Dallas Cowboy football player Mark Stepnoski.  Comedien Jackie Martlin peppered the crowd with jokes between the artists sets.

 

Amy Nelson and Cathy Guthrie of the folk duo Folk Uke started off the show.  They were joined by Amy’s dad on Guitar, and her dad-in-law Bee Spears, on acoustic bass.  “Our cd has a parental advisory warning on it, so that’s why we have some parents on stage with us,” Amy explained.  The folk duo played a few songs from their cd, including  ”S**t Makes the Flowers Grow,” “Knock me Up,”  and left us all smiling.  Folk Uke has a website at www.folkuke.com, if you want info about how to purchase their album, or to find out tour information.

Two groups from Austin played next:  Megan Tubb, and then Carolyn Wonderland.  I missed Megan Tubb’s set, I’m sorry to say.  Carolyn Wonderland played a bluesy country set.   She had folks in the standing-room-only aisles dancing.  Her voice is distinct,  it’s fun to watch her play her guitar and then switch to trumpet during the set.  She’s really talented and put on a great show.

 

The Paula Nelson Band followed and drew the crowd in right away with a lively, convincing rendition of ”Jackson.”  Paula has an amazing stage presence, and a great ear for writing songs, or picking cover songs that suit her voice.  The result is a soulful, rocking set that left us all wanting more.  Her band was so tight, and the four of them moved seamlessly together through their set.  Paula’s website at www.paulanelsonband.com reports that she is in the studio working on a new album, which I predict will launch her into a new level of exposure, as more and more people are discovering what an artist she is and how talented the musicians she has surrounded herself with are. 

The Geezinslaw Brothers did a short set, two songs, maybe, but their contribution was well appreciated.  Those guys are so good, and I always feel lucky when I get to see and hear them perform.

Asleep at the Wheel delivered a lively set, reminding out-of-towners like me that we were in Texas now.   I think they are the perfect western band, with Ray Benson on guitar, he’s such a tall drink of water, and he has this deep baritone voice; Jason Roberts, fiddle player, and Elizabeth McQueen, guitar and vocals, and the rest of the band.  They all look like they are having so much fun up there, and it’s contageous to us watching them.  Billy English sat in with them on percussion, and Mickey Raphael joined them with his harmonicas.

And then Willie came on stage, wearing a NORML shirt, and the crowd went crazy.  He and the rest of the family band joined Asleep at the Wheel on the song, ”Pancho and Lefty.”  Then Willie broke into ‘Whiskey River’ and everyone was up cheering, and stomping and clapping.  He treated us to a string of hits, as many as he could pack in to the time remaining, all of them great:   Crazy, Night Life, Still is Still Moving, Me and Paul, To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before, Get Over You Again, Bobby Magee, Working Man’s Blues, Help Me Make it Through the Night, Funny How Time Slips Away, City of New Orleans, Down Yonder, to name a few.  He treated us to some new songs, too, including ‘Superman’, ‘You Don’t Think I’m Funny Anymore’ and the beautiful, inspiring song written by him and daughter Amy Nelson, “A Peaceful Solution,” and before the song was over, the audience was all singing the chorus, “…take back America.” 

Willie looked and sounded great.   I love watching him play guitar, and on Friday I thought Trigger was going to catch fire when he played ‘Rainy Day Blues.’   Something happens when he plays the blues, he plays so fast and intensely it draws you in and takes you for a ride. 

At one point Willie invited Freddy Powers out to sing, and also Johnny Bush and Stephen Fromholz joined Willie on stage.  That’s one thing great about seeing Willie in Texas, is that most often there are unannounced guests who show up to sing with Willie. 

Willie is on the advisory board of NORML, and Ray Benson serves on the board of MPP.  For more information about the efforts of these groups, visit their websites at www.norml.com, www.Wamm.org  and www.MPP.org.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 13th, 2007 at 1:10 am and is filed under Folk Uke, Good causes, NORML,Hemp, WAMM, News and Reviews, Other Artists, Paula Nelson, Pictures. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.