Willie Nelson in Japan (February 1984)

February 19th, 2019

japan

Feb. 21, 1984

American country western singer Willie Nelson, surrounded by a troop of photographers, speaks to the press in Tokyo, as he kicked off his five-city tour in Japan.  He said he intends to offer “both standard and original jazz” to the Japanese audience.

February 19th, 2019

Willie Nelson on ‘Kings of Country’ on HDNet on Sunday, February 19, 2012

February 19th, 2019

hd

Willie Nelson at the Ritz (November 11) ($2.00)

February 18th, 2019

February 18th, 2019

Willie Nelson & Family in Concert in (March 19, 2019)

February 18th, 2019

www.oaoa.com

Being 85 hasn’t appeared to slow down the Red Headed Stranger at all.

In fact, Willie Nelson was honored with his eighth Grammy award on Sunday during the 61st Grammy Awards for best traditional pop album for “My Way.”

West Texans will have the chance to see the star perform live with Willie Nelson & Family next week.

Willie Nelson & Family are scheduled to perform Tuesday at the Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center. Nelson’s prolific career includes music, moves and helping found Farm Aid in 1985.

Nelson’s new Grammy is his eighth and he has been nominated a whopping 51 times.

This year his album beat out “Love Is Here To Stay” by Tony Bennett and Diana Krall, “Nat “King” Cole & Me” by Gregory Porter, “Standards (Deluxe)” by Seal and “The Music… The Mem’ries…The Magic!” by Barbra Streisand.

It was a big week for Nelson as he was also honored Feb. 6 at the Recording Academy’s Procucers & Engineers Wing 12th Annual Celebration in Santa Monica, Calif., for his years of “artistic achievements and creative genius.”

The Associated Press reported that Kacey Musgraves, Dave Matthews and Lukas Nelson saluted the outlaw king of country music with tributes and performances.

The 85-year-old Texas singer-songwriter was a man of few words when he was presented with a plaque, jokingly asking if he was graduating. He thanked all the producers and engineers, adding that “I’m glad they liked me ‘cause they could have really screwed me up.”

Nelson was nominated for two Grammys: best traditional pop vocal album for “My Way,” a covers album of Frank Sinatra; and best American roots performance for “Last Man Standing.”

Musgraves, who was also a big winner during Sunday night’s Grammy’s including winning album of the year, had much more to say about the “Red-Headed Stranger.”

She said her fellow Texan has an ability to bring together people, no matter their differences: “Underdogs, outliers, Republicans, rappers, presidents. Everyone loves Willie,” Musgraves said.

Nelson’s songs are so iconic, “they’re never going to die, and let’s get real: He’s probably not either,” she said Matthews was joined by two of Nelson’s sons, Micah and Lukas, to help cover songs like “Crazy,” and “I Thought About You, Lord.” Lukas Nelson, who worked on the soundtrack and film for “A Star Is Born” with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, can sing a dead-on impersonation of his father’s unique high singing style.

Nelson was born in Abbott, Texas, and during the 1960s he wrote for Ray Price, Patsy Cline and Billy Walker. He aligned with Waylon Jennings in the 1970s and met critical acclaim with his album “Red Headed Stranger” and the song “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.”

His first Grammy win came in 1975 for “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.”

His 1982 hit “Always on My Mind” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.

Willie Nelson, enduring legend

February 18th, 2019
photo:  Mike Brooks

www.dallasobserver.com
by:  Mike Brooks

Willie Nelson can’t keep up this kind of schedule any more.   Or can he?

The wear and tear of 60 years on the road  shows, like the hundreds of names scratched into the soundboard of his vintage Martin N-20 acoustic guitar. Standing in clear bright stage lights in front of a paired down band, he embraces every nick and dent like the Alamo embraces bullet holes. And like that old mission, he has become an important piece of the mythology of Texas. Willie Nelson, Texas icon and last of the outlaws, finishes a signature tune, looks you in the eyes and smiles. Overwhelming odds don’t matter. We’re from Texas.

Willie Nelson at a sold out Bomb Factory, Dallas Texas.


by:  Mike Brooks

See slide show with lots more photos at Dallas Observer website.

Lukas Nelson plays with Jennifer Lopez at Elvis Presley Tribute (Feb. 17, 2019)

February 18th, 2019

Mardi Gras in the SuperDome, featuring Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett (February 18, 1980)

February 18th, 2019

 

popeye

Willie Nelson, “I’m so Lonesome I Could Cry”

February 18th, 2019

This day in Willie Nelson history: Willie Nelson performs for soldiers @Brooke Army Medical Center (2/17/06)

February 17th, 2019

Staff and patients gather on three levels to watch Willie Nelson and his band perform Feb. 17 at Brooke Army Medical Center.  — Photo by Brian Guerra

www.ourmilitary.mil
by Nelia Schrum and Andricka Hammonds

When the 2006 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo pulled up stakes Feb. 19, it left the wounded warriors recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center here and hospital staff with fond memories of Texas and cowboy hospitality.

Texas legend Willie Nelson and his family band treated the hospital to a concert in the Medical Mall Feb. 17, playing to a packed audience of staff and patients. Opening with his hit, “Whiskey River,” he sang signature ballads like “On the Road Again,” “Crazy” and “Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys.”

Nelson played for 90 minutes. Following his performance, he signed autographs and posed for pictures with patients and staff for another hour.

The Willie Nelson band played at BAMC in February 2005 performing 11 numbers. But Nelson had to cut his performance for the 2005 Stock Show and Rodeo because he was suffering from laryngitis.

“I wanted to come back again and play for the soldiers because I didn’t feel I had performed at my best last year,” Nelson said, adding his throat since has recovered.

February 16th, 2019

Willie Nelson & Family in Dallas, at the Bomb Factory (February 16, 2019) (SOLD OUT)

February 16th, 2019

www.thebombfactory.com

The new and improved Bomb Factory is capable of accommodating up to 4,300 fans, with its mezzanine, casual suites & VIP options. The Bomb Factory can be sized to four different capacities and multi-seated options to accommodate shows as intimate as 1,000 people.
In the early 1900’s, the building manufactured automobiles for Ford. Later, The Bomb Factory was commissioned during WWII to produce bombs and ammunition for the armed forces, hence the name “Bomb Factory”. In the mid-90’s, The Bomb Factory was transformed into a venue for a few years,  hosting bands such as PHISH, Radiohead, Dave Matthews Band, Sonic Youth, The Ramones, INXS, Nine Inch Nails, and Fugazi at its peak. Utilizing only the existing foundation and walls, the complete multi-million dollar redesign will make The Bomb Factory the premier Live Music Venue of Dallas, Texas.

Pre-Sale Code for Tickets to Willie Nelson & Family Show in Evansville, IN

February 15th, 2019

The Willie Nelson & Family Tour is making a stop at the Old National Events Plaza in Evansville, Indiana, on April 3rd with tickets set to go on sale Friday (February 15th, 2019) at 10:00 a.m. at the Old National Events Plaza box office and online through Ticketmaster. BUT, you can get them a day early with this exclusive presale code!

From 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., visit Ticketmaster.com and enter the code FAMILY to get your tickets ahead of the general on sale today!

Willie Nelson & Family on tour

February 15th, 2019

_________________________________________________

Feb 16
The Bomb Factory
Dallas, TX
_________________________________________________

Feb 17
The Joint – Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Caloosa, OK
_________________________________________________

Feb 19
Wagner-Noel Performing Arts Center
Midland, TX
_________________________________________________

Feb 22 (Rescheduled to March 29)
Firelake Arena
Shawnee, OK
_________________________________________________

Feb 23 (Rescheduled to March 30)
First Council Casino
Newkirk, OK
_________________________________________________

Feb 25
(rescheduled to April 8)
Saenger Theater
Mobile, AL
_________________________________________________

Feb 27
(rescheduled to April 9th)
The Fillmore
New Orleans, LA
__________________________________________________

Mar 1
Florida Strawberry Festival
Plant City, FL
__________________________________________________

Mar 2
Seminole Casino
Coconut Creek , Florida
__________________________________________________

Mar 4
(rescheduled from Jan 2)
Shreveport Municipal Auditorium
Shreveport, LA
__________________________________________________

Mar 13
Luck Reunion Potluck 2019 to benefit Farm Aid
Luck, Texas
__________________________________________________

Mar 14
Luck Reunion
Luck, TX
__________________________________________________

March 29(Rescheduled from Feb. 22)
Firelake Arena
Shawnee, OK
__________________________________________________

March 30
(Rescheduled from Feb. 23)
First Council Casino
Newkirk, OK
_________________________________________________

April 2
Michiana Event Center
Shipshewana, IN
_________________________________________________

April 3
Old National Events Plaza
Evansville, IN
_________________________________________________

April 5
EKU Center for the Arts
Richmond, KY
________________________________________________

April 6
(rescheduled from Jan 10)
Tennessee Theater
Knoxville, TN
_________________________________________________

April 8
(rescheduled from Feb 25)
Saenger Theater
Mobile, AL
_________________________________________________

April 9
(rescheduled from Feb 27)
The Fillmore
>New Orleans, LA
_________________________________________________

Apr 12, 13
Whitewater Amphitheater
New Braunfels, TX
__________________________________________________

May 5
Beachlife Festival
Los Angeles, CA
__________________________________________________

May 10
Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
Reno, NV
__________________________________________________

May 20, 21
Celebrity Theater
Phoenix, Arizona
__________________________________________________