Story and Photograph by Lana Nelson
www.WillieNelson.com
The Old Farts and Jackass tour began in Durham, NC on January 18th at the Durham Performing Arts Center. Then Saturday night Willie Nelson and Family performed in Bowling Green, KY at the Performing Arts Center before heading south to The Tabernacle in Atlanta. But now it’s January 20th, excitement is in the air, and Inauguration Day is finally here.
After the annual Bacon and Egg luncheon, the Swearing Ceremony took center stage as Willie stepped forward and placed his hand on Peg Bible. The Joint Congressional Committee spoke of the logistics of presenting such an unpresidential event in an old Church and of security concerns that have plagued the event from the beginning. The growing crowd stood in line for hours and wondered. “What will he wear? Willie cut bangs?”
After much anticipation Willie Nelson finally emerged. Dressed in an all black ensemble by American designer Levi Strauss, the co-leader of the Old Fart Party mesmerized the crowd with the first dance, Whiskey River.
The lip synching controversy would take over the headlines later, but the official answer from Nelson’s camp remained no. No Willie Vanillie here ladies and gentlemen, no tricky audio antics. Willie sang it all live. What we have elected to see is just a man, his band, his family and his guitar. The audience in Atlanta will testify before any congress; country is in good hands.