Long Live Willie

There are some people that remind you of family. Maybe they even remind you of a nice uncle you never had, but wish you did.

That’s who Willie is for me. He’s another Grand Dad who happens to roll around town as his own ass kicking force. Sure he’s old and sure he’s just a simple guy, but you can’t help but love the guy. Know anyone else who decided to start running more in there 70’s? Nope. Just Willie.

I got an email today from a friend regarding Willie. It said the following:

“You gotta love Willie. Look at his public statement regarding being caught with a bag of marijuana: ‘It's a good thing I had a bag of Marijuana instead of a bag of spinach. I'd be dead by now."

My thoughts exactly! How can you not love this man?

Oh and I hear you about the music. I do. I understand you’re not a fan of country music, but that’s where you went wrong. Willie isn’t really country music. He’s not quite what I would consider Texas music either, even though he certainly is one of the most influential musicians behind the so-called Texas music movement.

In fact, I can say that I’m not a fan of country music at all. I never have like it and just the thought of someone like Clint Black or Kenny Chesney makes me think that you have to be desperate to listen to that stuff. I just don’t get it and I don’t want to get it.

Willie’s music is pretty far from country. Sure it’s country influenced, but who doesn’t need to hear “Whiskey River” from time to time? And you can’t deny that he’s one of the most talented songwriters of our time. From “Crazy” to “Red Headed Stranger” and “Funny how Time Slips Away”’ the guy is brilliant and uncomplicated. It’s refreshing. If you like Johnny Cash, but hate Willie Nelson I would love to figure out how that’s possible. Please let me know.

If there’s one CD that you have to have, it’s Stardust. I grew up listening to this CD and it still impresses me. His lifestyle and relentless pursuit to still get up there and play his old guitar amazes me. He’s a legend. He’s one of my hero’s. Keep smoking and keep joking, Willie. Here in Austin, we’ll always love you.

ACL Recap

I’m sad ACL is already over. I’ve been every year, and I can’t say that I was ecstatic this year when the schedule first came out. As the days got closer to the festival I started to gain enthusiasm for the line up and I now that’s it over, I can easily say it was the best ACL I’ve had.

In fact I didn’t have time to wander around the stores or the food section, because I was so busy jumping from stage to stage to catch someone. Every day had its highlight and I thought I’d share what I enjoyed with you.

You can get the set lists and downloads here so you know what I’m talking about: Here you go!

Friday my favorite show was either Gomez or Ray Lamontagne. I can’t say enough about Ray’s performance and like the little bitch that I am, I cried two or three times during his 1-hour show. I don’t know how you like your whiskey, but these days I’m enjoying mine with Ray in the background. Give it a whirl. Gomez put on a damn good show, too. Quite nice!

Saturday started off early for me with Galactic. I’ve always loved this band and even though I almost got a heat stroke at their damn show, I still love them. I usually have a hard time listening to them in the car or at home, but they put on one of the best shows this side of the Mississippi. (You like that Southern drawl?) As far as bigger bands the Shins were great. I had my doubts before hand, but they had a great performance and it was the perfect sunny day for them. I hate Jack White, but damn it the Raconteurs were fucking good. I so wanted to hate them, but that jackass is so talented you have to marvel at his work. Sigh.

Willie Nelson was the best that day by far, but I realize he’s home to me since I’m from Texas. I don’t expect you to understand. If you do understand, you’ll be pleased to know he’s still beating up Trigger better than you might expect for a man in his 70’s.

All I have to say for Sunday is that if you haven’t listen to G Love since that one old pop song, I feel sorry for you son. Try it again. Try finding someone who can play the blues and make you laugh that hard at the same time. Do it! If you figure it out, let me know. That man could make a dead man laugh and a tap his foot at the same time.

That’s my ACL review. Sure it’s sparse, but you don’t want a blow by blow anyway. There are some things I could have lived without. Waiting in the 4th row to see the Flaming Lips for one thing. This boiled down to standing for an hour in the sun with a thousand of my closets friends who refuse to wear deodorant and were all shrooming. Since I wasn’t shrooming, the performance was then lost on me I sincerely apologize to all the people dressed as Santa in the 90 degree heat for taking your spot. I’m sorry. You actually deserved it more than I did. I had no idea I would hate it that much.

To those of you who love Massive Attack, perhaps you can explain that to me. What on earth are you people hearing? The only thing that irritated me more than their music was that they had a better sound system than Willie. And don’t be mean here, people. Really, calm it down. My best friend loved Massive Attack and I still said the same things to her, “You really really need to stop with the bad dance club music. There’s a real world out there.” Maybe I’ll grow into, but for now their damn drowning and political “look at me, I’m so radical just like a high school kid” image is pathetic. If you get this band, help me out. I’ll try and grow, just for you!

Super sighs and snakes

Asshat. It’s a word I haven’t used in a long time. This word applies to me. Actually it applied to me this weekend. Turns out that beer, champagne and a little rum make Snowflake one mean devil.

My X use to always say that I was mean as a snake. I would laugh and make an “sssssssssssss” sound for him. Lucky for him he never saw that side of me. Sure he knew my temper after 8 years, but I never got drunk and threw a tantrum that could out do Gary Coleman.

Poor Baby Boy was there for it though. Every last minute of it. I’m wondering how long it will take him to break up with me. I give it 3 weeks since his parents are coming to visit next week.

I might be getting dumped by a boy 8 years younger than me, but at least ACL starts Friday.