Eighty-one years. That’s a lot of years to walk on this
earth. Most people don’t even dream of reaching their eighties, and if they are
fortunate enough to do so, they usually expect to be living in a retirement
center, with limited mobility and many health issues. But there is one
exceptional 81 year old who hasn’t fallen for this typical “old age”
stereotype, and his name is Willie Nelson.
This past week was quite eventful for country music’s living
legend. On Saturday, April 26, 2014, Willie became one of the first artists to
be inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. As ACL’s first musical
guest on their inaugural program 40 years ago, it was a fitting honor. On
Monday, April 28, the day before his 81st birthday, Willie received his
fifth-degree black belt in the Korean martial art of Gong Kwon Yu Sul. Who says
you have to take it easy in the later years of your life? Not, Willie, who also
runs and rides bikes. Then to top off the week’s festivities, on Tuesday, April
29, Willie headlined a family-affair concert at The Backyard Live Oak
Amphitheater at Bee Cave, just outside of Austin, Texas. While others might be
thinking about taking it easy, this “old-timer” hasn’t lost a step. In fact, he
still has the ability to fill a venue with thousands of fans who love to see
and hear him perform.
It was an incredibly beautiful chamber of commerce type
evening in Central Texas, with clear blue skies and temperatures in the mid to
upper 70’s, as the crowd filed into Austin’s favorite outdoor venue to pay
homage to a true Texas music legend. Fans had traveled from near and far to
help their favorite outlaw country music singer celebrate his birthday. For
some, this was their first time to see Willie perform live, for others, well,
they had lost count many years ago of the number of shows they have attended.
No matter, all were in for a treat, as Willie was in perfect form, strumming
his guitar, Trigger, and crooning out the country hits.
The evening started out with just the right amount of Texas
country flavor. As the audience waited for the opening acts to take the stage,
the venue’s sound system pumped out old-time classic country performances from
the likes of Loretta Lynn and Bob Wills. The knowledgeable and appreciative
crowd could be heard singing along as they waited for the show to start.
First up on the night, the growing crowd was treated to the
interesting and sassy stylings of Folk Uke. If you haven’t heard of them, well,
let’s just say music runs very, very deep in their veins. The duo is comprised
of Willie Nelson’s daughter, Amy, and Arlo Guthrie’s daughter, Cathy. Yes, that
makes Cathy the granddaughter of the legendary father of American Folk Music,
Woody Guthrie. I told you music runs deep in them. Adding his voice to the
group on this night was Amy’s brother, Willie’s youngest son, Micah Nelson.
Folk Uke has a distinctive sound featuring sweet vocal harmonies, skillful
guitar and ukulele playing, and some sarcastic lyrical messages. The crowd was
amused and amazed by their setlist of original songs.
Next up on the night, The Peterson Brothers. Here’s a new
name for you to watch out for in the future. These young man, and I do mean
young at 17 and 15 years of age, hail from right down the road in Bastrop,
Texas. Despite their young ages, these guys know how to play some music, and
the music running through the veins is classic blues with a dash of soul thrown
in for good measure. I’m telling you, they are VERY good musicians. They are
already playing big festivals and winning awards. Keep an eye out for future
music and performances by Glen Jr and Alex Peterson. You won’t be disappointed.
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for, Willie
Nelson. The enthusiastic crowd jumped to their feet and never sat down again.
Willie was in fine voice this night and the audience, who were more than happy
to sing along when Willie requested, were treated to many of Willie’s classic
songs like Whiskey River, Crazy, Georgia On My Mind, Mamma’s Don’t Let Your
Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys, Always On My Mind, and Blue Eyes Crying in the
Rain, to name a few. Willie’s setlist included a tribute to Waylon Jennings
with Good Hearted Woman and a tribute to Hank Williams with Hey Good Looking
and Move It On Over. Some of Willie’s newer songs performed during this show
included Beer for My Horses, Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die, and the title
track from Willie’s upcoming album, Band Of Brothers. There were so many great songs performed this
night. In keeping with the family theme of the night, Willie's sons, Micah and Lukas, both performed with him this night.
To close out the evening, Willie was joined on stage by family
members and friends for an awesome sing-a-long to the popular gospel songs Will
The Circle Be Unbroken, I’ll Fly Away, and I Saw The Light. And while these
songs signaled the end of Willie’s setlist, it was not the end of the concert.
There was one more very special song to be sung that night. Willie’s family and
friends filled the stage to lead everyone in the venue in an enthusiastic
version of Happy Birthday.
And with that, the satisfied audience began to file out of
the venue. As the crowd returned to their cars, there could be heard much
discussion as to which song sung this night was each person’s favorite.
Personally, it’s very difficult for me to choose a favorite Willie song and I’m
sure I’m not the only one with this problem. Willie Nelson’s music has been a
part of my life ever since I’ve known what music is. During each phase of my
life, different songs have meant different things to me. Growing up a Texan,
whose family appreciated good country music, Willie’s music has always put a
smile in my heart and this night was not an exception. I’m so happy I was able
to be in attendance on this special evening to help celebrate the birthday of
the incomparable Mr. Willie Nelson, and once again be able to enjoy his
exceptional music.
Review by Margy Moore
Photography by Scott Moore
