http://www.mydesert.com
Becky Bartkowski
Country rocker and outlaw in his own right, Willie Nelson cut off his iconic braided ponytails last May. Was I the only one heartbroken by this? Probably. They merited a moment of silence in American pop culture. But life goes on, long hair or short. And despite his requisite run-ins with the law, Nelson continues to play across the nation.
Nelson’s latest record “Country Music,” produced by T Bone Burnett, is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Americana Album category. Up against utter classic Mavis Staples and legacy Rosanne Cash, he’s in good and somewhat surprisingly “with it” company. Staples’ album “You Are Not Alone” was produced by Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy. And Cash’s collection of classics features guest appearances from Neko Case and Elvis Costello. If anything, it’s proof that this living legend is making music that’s legitimate and being noticed by a younger audience. Nelson and his traveling band, which includes his sister and other longstanding members, stop in the desert early next week.
Willie Nelson and family live, 8 p.m. Tuesday. McCallum Theatre. 73-000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. $50-$100. Information: (760) 340-2787 or www.mccallumtheatre.com.