If he wasn't introduced, you'd never recognize him

[mrlmd1]

From the Grand Ole Opry, 1965.
See what too much booze, drugs, and sex does to you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=W1bXdXWEKaE

[alantf]

Don't let my missus hear you say that. She loves Willie. We've always been into country music. The last time we met him was just before his 64th birthday, in 1996, when he came to England. Jan's favourite song of his is "Angel flying too close to the ground" which he wrote while filming Honeysuckle Rose. He wrote it for the lady he was "escorting" at the time. Usually, when he's on stage he sings it to himself, not to the audience, and he can bring the house down. Anyway, we were jammin' and jan asked him to play it. Well, he stood right in front of her, and sang it TO her. Was she amazed! As a joke, she'd brought a single red rose to give him (She said that people like Garth Brookes were always getting flowers, but Willie had never got any)She gave it to him, and in return he took off his bandana and gave it to her. It's got pride of place in our display cabinet.

P.S. My ambition is to play harp as good as Micky Raphael! :)

[Water Warrior 2]

Willie is a one of a kind sort of fella. Always comfy in his own skin and sometimes looks like he needs a good vacuuming. It looks good on him.

[mrlmd1]

I wasn't being derogatory, I love WN. I was just amazed at his transformation over the years, as has happened to all of us.
When I showed that to my SO, her jaw dropped. literally, and she said, "That's Willie Nelson?" The voice is still the same though.
You will probably never forget that concert, an everlasting memory and you have a treasured momento from it as well.

[alantf]

That's the same looking guy that's on some of his early LPs, such as "The Poet", that we've got. Don't forget, he's 80 next month, & still going strong with tours & recordings. He must be doing something right. :)

[mrlmd1]

He was born April 30, 1933, so that would make him 79. Don't age him more than he deserves. :) :poke2:

[alantf]

Sorry, thought it was 1932. :) Thought he was born the same year as Patsy Cline. Realise now that he was born the following year.