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Carol Perkins: Willie Willie Nelson is more than a writer, musician, and songwriter, she says. "Even on stage he is Willie playing Willie." Next previous Carol Perkins column:I witnessed the Civil Rights Movement By Carol Perkins I admire great talent. I appreciate the gift given to others. In the area of music, I enjoy more than a few truly exceptional performers; however, there are only select groups who are truly gifted. Willie Nelson is one of those. I have been a Willie fan since the 70's. I have seen him perform in large venues like Freedom Hall to small outdoor amphitheaters like Tombstone Junction. When he is at his best, he is THE best; when he is not at his best, he is just Willie at his worst. No matter in what condition he is at a particular moment, he is an icon. First of all, he is a prolific songwriter. Patsy Clines' "Crazy" and Faron Young's "Hello Walls" were just the beginning for Willie. Later, he won his first Grammy for "Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain." Not only a writer, a musician, and a singer, but he is also an actor. Even on screen, he is Willie playing Willie even if the character isn't Willie at all. "The Electric Horseman" and "Honeysuckle Rose" were my favorites. From the latter came "On the Road Again." In addition to being a writer, musician, singer, and actor, he is famous for Farm Aid and an activist for the civil rights of man. Most of all, Willie is Willie Most of all, Willie is Willie. Like him or not, he is what he is and what he is isn't always what one pays to see. I have been a victim of Willie's OFF TIMES. One of the most memorable Willie concerts I saw was at Tombstone Junction near Corbin. Why Willie was playing there is still a mystery, but he was. Normally after a concert the artist disappears, but that night Willie must have been lonely because he worked the crowd from behind a roped off area and kissed every woman who stuck her face up to his. Kissed them right smack on the lips! (My picture with Willie was taken that night; the goofy smile is embarrassing.) At Louisville Palace, he was 'on' A few years later, he appeared at the Louisville Palace where he was "on" that night. One of my friends is a devoted Willie fan and wanted to meet him, so after the show we join others behind the building, waiting at the bus. Sure enough, Willie came out, shook hands, and signed autographs. We were down right silly over that. Another Willie time was when I took my grown daughter, my mom, and my uncle to what was Starwood (outside of Nashville). He was definitely not "with it" that night. Known for missing beats and singing slightly to the left of the rhythm, this night he even missed the tune! At the end of the performance, my daughter was furious. "I couldn't half understand a word he sang. What is wrong with him?" An outrageous Willie moment in Nashville The next outrageous Willie moment was on New Year's Eve when he made an appearance at a Toby Keith concert at the Sommet Center in Nashville. When Willie joined Toby, I noticed that Toby picked up the lyrics to Willie's songs because Willie couldn't remember them. Willie was very happy that night; just short of flying across the stage. When he almost dropped his famous guitar, several of the crew dashed to keep it from hitting the floor. Willie didn't notice. Once it was leaning safely in its stand, Willie sashayed over to pick it up and almost tripped over it and off the stage. Once again, the quick moves of a few stage hands saved Willie and the million dollar guitar. Willie grinned. He didn't sing with the music that night either; he mumbled and smiled. Last attempt to find the real Willie was in Louisville, KY My last attempt to find the real Willie happened a few years ago when he was appearing at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts in Louisville. Susan and Harold Chambers invited us to go with them, and since it was at the Center for the Arts, I thought surely he attempt to behave. I was wrong. He didn't get close to singing with the music and focused more on his son and his band than he did on himself and what the crowd had come to hear. We heard more guitar head banging music than Willie. When I left that night, I said to Guy, "He has retired but doesn't know it." A lesson: If you're famous, any song will do I have laughed when looking back at some of those times. Willie didn't care one way or the other, yet fans cheered as if he were giving his last performance. A lesson from this is that if you are already famous, you could sing "Mary Had A Little Lamb" and crowds would swoon. Willie fans are forgiving. Whether Willie is "on" or "off," he is a legend; he is a genius. Would I go see him again? In a heartbeat. (email Carol at cperkins@scrtc.com. Her book, Let's Talk About, is available at Ivy Bookstore, 402 Rogers RD, Glasgow, KY) This story was posted on 2010-04-11 04:15:47
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Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know. More articles from topic Carol Perkins:
Carol Perkins: I witnessed the Civil Rights Movement Carol Perkins, Perfect Vision Carol Perkins: Affairs to Remember Carol Perkins: The Teepee Carol Perkins: Addicted to the Soaps Carol Perkins: The Money Line Carol Perkins: The Lizard in the Playroom Carol Perkins: Growing older Carol Perkins: The day he died Carol Perkins: The New Year View even more articles in topic Carol Perkins |
 
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