After months of hunting & waiting (and even a postponement), I finally scored tickets to see WN in a venue that doesn’t seat in the thousands. There were only two things Mrs. AG wanted for her 40th birthday (this is the other one), so I’m taking the day off tomorrow and we’re going down to Santa Cruz. There aren’t that many “legends” around that I want to see live that I haven’t (was too late for J.Cash, don’t care about the Stones), but he was one. Can’t wait!
Anyone have any good memories or stories of seeing him live?
Just once, at a Farm Aid concert in Ames many years ago. It was in an outdoor stadium and our seats sucked, but just breathing the same air was enough. My daughter kept poking me in the ribs: “It’s Willie! It’s Willie!” He has legend status at our house too.
Saw him last year and loved it, don’t be naive enough to think that hes gona play his tunes exactly as they sound on the albums, he fools with them a bit, often playing only bits and pieces but it is still very nice. Its a great moment when he sings blue eyes cryin in the rain…Enjoy!!
I’ve seen him, oh, 5 or 6 times. He played one time at the train station in Montgomery, AL (not an active train station now, but a concert venue, and a bad one. More on that later.) My girlfriend and I showed up quite early, and picked out a spot. I was looking around for the men’s room, and spotted Willie walking in our direction from the concession area. We intercepted him to introduce ourselves. Far from being annoyed or in a hurry, he readily shook my hand, noted our names, and engaged us in conversation. He asked about the train shed, the city, all sorts of things. He then invited us back to the bus, where we all shared a joint. After we were all good and baked, my girlfriend and I excused ourselves (with many thanks,) Willie shook my hand again and gave my girlfriend a hug, told us it was a pleasure to meet us, and remembered our names while high as a kite.
That was a good evening.
The train station is a nice looking venue, but it’s shit for concerts, because the tracks are still quite active. His show was interrupted three or four times that night by roaring freight trains coming through the station.
I’ve been to one Willie Nelson show that wasn’t nearly as pleasant, but I’ve posted about that around here before, and frankly, just thinking about it pisses me off, so I won’t go there.
I should note, however, that Willie had nothing to do with that particular evening sucking.
Well, it was a great show in a small little venue, and at 74, he’s still going strong. What surprised me the most was his facility with the guitar–I thought he would just play rhythm, but he was cranking lead through song after song (almost 2 hours without a single break). From his “classics” (Whisky River, Mamas Don’t…, Blue Eyes Crying…) to American Songbook standards (All of Me, Blue Skies, Stardust) to covers (Me & Bobby McGee, Crazy*) to a number of songs I’d never heard before, everything was great. Mrs. AG’s first Willie concert was when she was 16 (and her sister ran off with WN’s tour bus for a weekend back in her younger days), so there’s a lot of history there, and I’m glad I was able to see him with her (though we’re not counting on it being the last time, hopefully). Plus, he must go through a ton of headbands! (went through 5 in the show we saw).
Now, to see if Blossom Dearie has a new performance venue so we can see her when we visit NYC this summer.
Saw him twice – once back in 1990-1991 with Waylon, Johnny, and Kris (yes the Highwaymen) and got to shake his hand as I was sitting in the front row. Good music, but I don’t remember much else.
Last time was just a couple of months ago – he played with Merle Haggard, Ray Price, and Asleep at the Wheel. Ray opened with about a half hour show of his great songs (and my god, that man STILL has a voice, even at 80), and then Willie and the others just started jamming. One of the best concerts I’ve been to. I hope your experience is as good.
I recently saw Willie Nelson play an intimate concert hall here in Fayetteville. It was as you described. He traded headbands with the audience during the entire show. He smiled and waved at anyone who waved at him even during the songs. He never left the stage the entire show. I really felt like he could be playing my living room.
A lot of the other acts you see now days spend so much time and energy trying the work the crowd into excitement. Willie just played and didn’t have to do anything other than be himself. Too bad more acts can’t do that, but then none would even be the same as Willie Nelson.
My sister-in-law will be taking part in the concert in Choteau, MT, this summer.
She’s practically wetting her pants. Her (and my wife) both grew up in Choteau, and she is very excited that her little town is getting such a great gig.
David Letterman has upped his standing in the community quite a bit.
I was impressed that, toward the end of the set (before the final number), the band kept playing and he just went to the front, leaned over, and started signing autographs–he must of done at least 3 dozen (including boots, bandanas, show tickets, etc.) if not more. I haven’t been to many concerts, but that was still a first for me.
I saw Willie at the Glastonbury festival in 2000. I saw a lot of amazing talent at the festival, but Willie stands out as the class act that I saw. Perfect way to spend a hungover(+) afternoon. Went to The Pet Shop Boys the night before (they were a lot more fun than I had expected!) and hearing them play “Always On My Mind” the night before hearing Willie play it was kind of neat. He is a talented charming charismatic performer who truly seems down to earth, kind and gentle. I’d always considered him the hippie country guy before that, but you can number me among his fans now. You’re lucky!
One of my best friends saw him in concert at Little Rock, AR…BF tossed a joint up on stage, and Willie scooped it up and tucked it behind his ear w/o missing a beat! I love me some Willie Nelson…
He played here in Richmond in 1999/2000 and was staying at a Holiday Inn where I was attending a conference. I happened to run into him (literally - he was coming in while I was going out through the same door) and after apologies all around and a little conversation he asked about any good golf courses in the area. I told him what I knew and he hunted down a tour flunky and got me two passes to the show. Great show, and like someone said earlier, I only have the haziest memories.