Willie Nelson

 Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson, 79, has had a long career as a singer, songwriter, actor, author and activist. With his long pigtails, once red but now mostly gray, and trademark bandanna, he’s an iconic (and controversial) figure in America’s musical history. As was one of the ringleaders of the outlaw country movement of the 1970s, which also included Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson, Nelson puts on a concert that is timeless. His songs are rooted in real-life experiences and mixed with blues, jazz, gospel and Texas dust. He perceived by many as a troublemaker, having been in trouble for not paying taxes along with embracing his reputation as a notorious (and unapologetic) pot smoker, with arguably more possession charges than any public figure. As a live performer Nelson isn’t like other artists. He doesn’t just play a bunch of songs from his latest album. Instead, he puts on a show like he’s sitting around the house with friends, playing around on his guitar, which I think is what really makes him authentic.

Whiskey River – Live at Austin City Limits 1974

Austin City Limits, for those who are unfamiliar, is a televised music program recorded live in Austen, Texas by PBS. The show helped Austin to become widely known as the live music capitol of the world. But, there would be no Austin City Limits were it not for Willie Nelson. He started it all in 1974, performing on the original pilot episode, and has been a large part of ACL history ever since. In the episode, he opens with his famous song “Whiskey River,” which is most often the song he begins his performances with. His demeanor is laid back, his voice is smooth, and his appearance screams more “hippie” than “I grew up in the suburbs but I dress like a cowboy” which is my favorite thing about him. Nelson does not change his musical style, clothes, or attitude to gain the audiences’ stamp of approval; he is just a pot smoking music-lover and he always will be. His sincerity made this performance really easy to watch and enjoyable, rather than other country performers who try to replicate their own ideas of how a country artist should be and it just feels forced. In this performance, Nelson is just having a good time, sharing his music with the audience, without a care in the world.

Free Press Summer Fest in Houston on June 3rd, 2012.

Roll me up and smoke me when I die

Willie comes out and introduces his new “gospel” song that he is going to sing called “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.” Once again, the performance is laid back and fun for Willie as well as the audience because it is clear that Willie is just being himself and embracing his reputation as a pot-smoking hippie. Although this performance takes place 38 years after his appearance on the pilot episode of Austin City Limits, his carefree attitude is just as contagious as it was decades ago. Every time Nelson sings the words “roll me up and smoke me when I die,” the crowd cheers in a somewhat supportive way; almost as if Willie is speaking for them, being blunt and unapologetic for being himself in a way most people are afraid to be.

Even as he approaches 80, Willie continues to give his all to his fans and tours approximately 150-200 times a year. Although many people criticize the strength of his performances as he grows older, I think there is something to be said that he is still doing what he loves to do at his age, which is making the world a better place through music and his activism.

Nelson’s concert tickets these days can cost anywhere from 100-300 dollars, depending on the venue and seating. He is very well known for playing at music festivals such as jazz fest in New Orleans in 2011, which is comprised of a pretty diverse audience. However Nelson’s die-hard fans are often people that embrace Nelson as a person, including his care-free attitude and positive outlook. It could also be argued that many of his fans share his love of music, life, and (lets be honest) marijuana.