Thank you, Janis Tillerson, for all your great photos from the Luck Reunion this year.
Colorado woman behind Willie’s Reserve
March 30th, 2019
www.Westward.com
by: Thomas Mitchell
Few musicians have the cannabis cachet of avid toker Willie Nelson. The country music star’s Willie’s Reserve has been a big hit, with his branded joints, buds and an ever-growing list of infused products finding their way into dispensaries around Colorado and beyond. Instead of tethering the brand to one supplier, Willie’s Reserve partners with wholesale cannabis growers around the state to ensure a wide range of strains and varieties. The strategy has helped the brand grow into a major presence, while offerings from Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa have seemingly plateaued.
Although much of the success of Willie’s Reserve can be attributed to the popularity of the Red Headed Stranger himself, it wouldn’t have happened at all without Elizabeth Hogan, co-founder of GCH Inc., the company that owns Nelson’s cannabis brands. While she’s not related to Nelson, the strawberry blonde has given new meaning to the term “red-headed stepchild” as she plots the path to a pot empire. To learn more about her unique job scenario, we caught up with Hogan when she was at SXSW in Austin.
Westword: How’d you get involved in legal cannabis? Has it lived up to expectations?
Elizabeth Hogan: I got started as a consultant to help answer the question “How should Willie Nelson get into the cannabis business?” Very quickly, I realized part of the answer was me! I jumped in with both feet, and working in cannabis has surpassed my hopes. Being around passionate, engaged people and working on every imaginable angle to create something viable and sustaining is pretty damn exhilarating — and exhausting.
What are some advantages to having someone like Willie Nelson as the face of the brand?
There is no one like Willie Nelson. He is completely one of a kind in terms of his artistic contribution, wisdom and vision. He describes himself as the canary in the coal mine for the impact a lifetime of cannabis consumption will take. I say, sign me up for that lifetime! Willie is so humble and funny, and I think a lot of people can relate to his approach, which is: Remember to enjoy the plant!
What does Willie’s Reserve sell in Colorado right now?
Willie’s Reserve includes packaged flower, ready-roll joints, eedibles inspired by original recipes from Willie’s wife, Annie and concentrate cartridges, which are Willie’s go-to item lately.
How big of a role will hemp and CBD play in your business and the dispensary market overall going forward?
We’ve introduced a separate brand, called Willie’s Remedy, to offer hemp-derived products in the many places they can be sold all throughout the country. The first product, full-spectrum hemp oil-infused whole-bean coffee, has been a big hit. We’re seeing the conversation about cannabis become so much more informed and mainstream. Hemp-derived products have a big role to play in inviting all types of people to try cannabis and awaken their endocannabinoid systems.
A lot of flower in Colorado is still viewed as a commodity and sold unbranded, and the retail prices reflect that. Do you see that changing any time soon? How do you find footing on the shelf if a dispensary is pushing its own products?
It all comes back to the shoppers, and shoppers are seeking products to match their experiences, tastes and occasions. This is one area where I think we can expect cannabis to move like consumer packaged goods. When stores carry a variety of offerings and price points, they can serve more shopping occasions and consumer types, and earn their repeat business. In many ways, Colorado retailers are at the cutting edge of this phenomena because of the maturity of the market, and we’ve learned and improved a lot by listening to our Colorado customers’ feedback.
What should we expect from Willie’s Reserve and GCH in the future?
The whole idea behind Willie’s Reserve is to provide access to a collection of products worthy of Willie’s legendary and ever-changing stash. In Colorado, additions to our edibles line, concentrate line and a few special projects to highlight particular strains are all in the works for 2019.
Happy Shoeshine Friday!
March 29th, 2019Willie Nelson & Family in Shawnee, Oklahoma (March 29, 2019)
March 29th, 2019
Willie Nelson and family at the FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
with Faren Rachels.
Doors open at 6:30pm, Show starts at 8:00pm.
www.firelakearena.com
Willie Nelson & Family at Luck Reunion Potluck (March 13, 2019)
March 28th, 2019
Happy Birthday Budrock “The Illuminator” Prewitt
March 28th, 2019
All the best wishes for a great birthday to Buddy Prewitt, Willie Nelson & Family lighting director.
Happy Birthday to Budrock “the Illuminator” Prewitt, lighting director for Willie Nelson and Family. I hope you are having a great day.
Bobbie Nelson at Luck Potluck Dinner (March 13, 2019)
March 28th, 2019
Outlaw Country Cruise 5
March 28th, 2019
Chance to Win Tickets to See Willie Nelson & Family in New Orleans at the Fillmore on April 9, 2019
March 27th, 2019
www.offbeat.com
How many “night shows” do you attend during Jazz Fest?…Take the OffBeat Poll!
If you take this week’s OffBeat Poll, you’ll get a chance to win a pair of tickets tosee Willie Nelson perform at the Fillmore New Orleans on Tuesday, April 9.
Willie Nelson, “I’ll Be Around”
March 27th, 2019Willie Nelson & Family on Tour
March 27th, 20192019 Itinerary | www.stillisstillmoving.com
March 29 (Rescheduled from Feb. 22)
Firelake Arena
Shawnee, OK
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March 30
(Rescheduled from Feb. 23)
First Council Casino
Newkirk, OK
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April 2
Michiana Event Center
Shipshewana, IN
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April 3
Old National Events Plaza
Evansville, IN
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April 5
EKU Center for the Arts
Richmond, KY
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April 6
(rescheduled from Jan 10)
Tennessee Theater
Knoxville, TN
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April 8
(rescheduled from Feb 25)
Saenger Theater
Mobile, AL
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April 9
(rescheduled from Feb 27)
The Fillmore
>New Orleans, LA
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Apr 12, 13
Whitewater Amphitheater
New Braunfels, TX
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May 5
Beachlife Festival
Los Angeles, CA
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May 7
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
Santa Rosa, CA
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May 8
Fruit Yard Amphitheater
Modesto, CA
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May 10
Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
Reno, NV
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May 11
Kaiser Permanente Arena
Santa Cruz, CA
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May 12
Vina Robles Amphitheater
Paso Robles, CA
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May 15
Humphreys
San Diego, CA
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May 17
Rio Vista Outdoor Amphitheater
Harrahs Laughlin
Laughlin, NV
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May 18
Agua Caliente Casino
Rancho Mirage, CA
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May 20, 21
Celebrity Theater
Phoenix, Arizona
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June 14
Outlaw Music Festival: Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion
Bangor, ME
Willie Nelson & Family, Phil Lesh & Friends, Alison Krauss, The Revivalists, Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real, Particle Kid
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June 15
Mountain Jam at Bethel Woods
Bethel, NYWillie Nelson & Family, Phil Lesh & Friends, The Revivalists, Alison Krauss, Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real, Particle Kid
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June 16
Outlaw Music Festival: Xfinity Theatre
Hartford, CT
Willie Nelson & Family, Phil Lesh & Friends, Alison Krauss, The Revivalists, Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real, Particle Kid
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June 19
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Columbia, MD
with Alison Krauss and Lukas Nelson
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June 21
Outlaw Music Festival: Budweiser Stage
Toronto, ON
Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Alison Krauss, Matt Mays, Jessica Mitchell
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June 22
Outlaw Music Festival: KeyBank Pavilion
Burgettstown, PA
Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Alison Krauss, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dawes
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June 23
Outlaw Music Festival: Nationwide Arena
Columbus, OH
Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Alison Krauss, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dawes
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June 27
Outlaw Music Festival: Summerfest
PM Milwaukee, WI
Willie Nelson & Family, Phil Lesh & Friends, The Avett Brothers, Counting Crows, Alison Krauss, Dawes, Trapper Schoepp
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June 28
Outlaw Music Festival: Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Tinley Park, IL
Willie Nelson & Family, Phil Lesh & Friends, The Avett Brothers, Alison Krauss, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dawes, Lissie
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June 29
Outlaw Music Festival: Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Maryland Heights, MO
Willie Nelson & Family, Phil Lesh & Friends, Alison Krauss, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dawes
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July 3
Outlaw Music Festival: Dos Equis Pavilion
PM Dallas, TX
Willie Nelson & Family, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Alison Krauss, Casey Donahew, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Hayes Carll, Colter Wall
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Willie Nelson at Whitewater Amphitheater (March 27, 2015)
March 27th, 2019
photo: Janis Tillerson
Generations: A Concert to Benefit Aids (March 26, 1994)
March 26th, 2019