March 3, 1978
Memphis, TN
by: J. Coney
If you didn’t have your tickets when you got to the show last night — you were out of luck. Willie, Waylon and Jesse gave one heck of a performance to a sold-out crowd of over 15,000. Jessie Colter, looking as beautiful as ever, charmed everyone from the start doing such songs as her big hits ‘I’m Not Lisa’ and ‘I’m looking for Blue Eyes’ plus many more.
Waylon Jennings started his set with ‘Are you Ready for the Country?’ on to one he said was a new one, ‘Don’t You Think This Outlaw Bit Done Got Out of Hand?’, then worked through most of his big hits. As Waylon was nearing the end of his show, Waylon announced ‘Ol’ Willie-what’s-his-name.’ Willie wandered on stage dressed in a cowboy hat, black t-shirt, jeans, rough-out Wellington boots and a yellow and green windbreaker. Willie didn’t make a sound and it was just as well. You couldn’t have heard an explosion over that crowd. It was clear that these were Willie Nelson fans. I’ve never heard a longer or louder welcome. Willie and Waylon then gave the fans a triple trust with ‘I Can Get Off on You’, ‘Luckenbach, TX’ and ‘Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys.’
After an intermission for stage re-arranging Willie Nelson and Family kick off a show brimming with emotion. In Willie’s performance you could feel the sorrow when he sang ‘It’s Not Supposed to be That Way,’ ‘Funny How Time Slips away’, ‘Nightlife’ and ‘Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain’, ‘Me and Paul’, ‘Whiskey River’ and ‘Til I Gain Control Again.’ The love and happiness came shining though on ‘Good Hearted Woman’, ‘Rollin’ in my Sweet Baby’s Arms’ and ‘Sunny Side of the Street.’ The tenderness was evident in his alone-in-the-lights version of Leon Russell’s ‘Singing My Song For You.’ Then there were the gospel songs Willie does with so much emotion that the audience was caught up in the singing and hand clapping on ‘Will the Circle b Unbroken’ to a hushed reverence as Willie quietly sang, ‘Amazing Grace’.
Willie was as busy as ever with hat swapping, from baseball caps to ten gallon cowboy hats. Each one becoming a prized possession when returned to the owner. Willie tried to quit around 12:15 but didn’t get a chance to even get off the stage. With an encore consisting of ‘Whiskey River’, ‘Till I Gain Control Again’, ‘Jambalaya’ and two songs, ‘Sunny Side of the Street’ and ‘Georgia’, from his new album, ‘Stardust’ set to be released in April. Willie finally left the stage around 12:30 to be met backstage by scores of adoring fans. Most just wanted to shake his hand and say hello. Others had a story to tell him, or just wanted to thank him and tell him how much they appreciated him and the Family and their music. Willie took time to listen and say something to each one who approached him, not once losing his ever present smile or showing any sign of impatience. It’s easy to see why Willie Nelson is one of the most loved and respected musicians around today when you see him with his fans. He cares about them and he shows it.