My husband and I just attended the “Outlaw Music Festival Tour presented by Wheatley Vodka at PNC Arts Center in New Jersey. The festival tour recently kicked off on June 23rd and is making the rounds nationwide headlined by Willie Nelson along with his family and friends. I am admittedly a Nelson Fan, first seeing him over 45 years ago. Now, in an effort to gracefully and joyfully age as a senior citizen, I have an even greater appreciation of the man behind the music.
At the New Jersey venue, musical groups began playing at 4 p.m. that included the incredible talents of Particle Kid, Flatland Cavalry, Kathleen Edwards, Marcus King, and The Avett Bothers. Willie Nelson came on at 9:50 p.m. He strode onto the stage to a rousing reception from the audience. At age 90, his gait was relaxed and confident. When he sat down and lifted his guitar, the nod of his head, his easy smile and the twinkle in his eye was exactly what the audience needed to be in the moment with his music.
Willie performed a full hour set with the accompaniment of his son, Micah Nelson who is talented in his own right. He once affectionately dubbed Micah, “Particle Kid” and the name stuck enough that he goes by it on stage. Willie’s iconic songs that were performed included “Whiskey River/Stay a Little Longer,” “On the Road Again,” “Angels Flying Too Close to the Ground,” “Good Hearted Woman,” “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me when I Die” and “Georgia (on My Mind).” Willie’s nimble fingers moved effortlessly on his acoustic guitar and his vocals rang out bright and clear to the delight of his audience. There was no encore as the show wrapped up beautifully with all of the festival’s performers on stage to sing “It’s Hard to Be Humble.”
Willie Nelson’s abundant talents, legendary career, youthful charm, wry sense of humor, and the fact that he is out and about performing, is simply inspirational. People who knew that I attended the concert have asked me “Does he still have it?” If “it” means the joy of living, and knowing all the good reasons to keep on keeping on, I will do everything I can to have “it” too. Thanks Willie!
Top photo: Bigstock – Country music legend Willie Nelson performs at the Childhelp Drive the Dream gala on January 15, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
