TURNTABLE TUESDAY - Band of Brothers

The coolest thing about a Willie Nelson compilation is you know from the first few chords nothing has changed. And that is a good thing. His music is the same now as when we heard his leathery tanned voice for the first time in 1975 with Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain. But even before then, we began identifying Willie songs with the first ones sang by other artists. Hello Walls (Faron Young), Crazy (Patsy Cline)  and Nightlife (Ray Price) are Country Classic standards. The songs on this album will join the ranks if radio will give them a chance.

Bring It On sets the pace for fourteen tracks of everything from a buckle-rubbing dance tune to the mellow, kickback sound of The Git Go which he teams up with Jamey Johnson. Woven throughout are the masterful musicians and the strains of Trigger (Willie’s guitar) leading the group.

With the exception of five tunes, Willie Nelson and Buddy Cannon wrote all the tracks. When talking about classic ‘bar’ tunes, I don’t think you’ll find a better songwriting team. Classic artists such as Billy Joe Shaver, Vince Gill and Bill Anderson composed the remaining songs.

BAND OF BROTHERS is that smooth shot of whiskey, the fine cigar or in Willie’s case, the best grade of stash ever rolled… and the perfect addition to your Willie Nelson library.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: BAND OF BROTHERS is dedicated to Butch Carr. Butch was an amazing mix engineer in Nashville. He worked with many of the biggest names in Country Music since 1986 including George Jones, Tracy Lawrence, Neal McCoy, Barbara Mandrell to name a few. This is the fourth project Butch worked his magic on for Willie Nelson. Butch Carr passed away two weeks after completing this album

Because this album is true Willie and straight up Classic Country, I have to tip my hat...

You can find the CD at:
Amazon

And keep up with Willie on his:
WEBSITE
FB
TWITTER

THE PARTY LIST - July 4 - July 10, 2013

Due to no internet at home I am not including links this week. That task alone takes almost four hours. I don’t think the coffee house owners really want me taking up a table that long. LOL  My new modem is scheduled for Friday so Country Blessings things are back to ‘better’ than normal next week.

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. Note dates are subject to change. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.

Not all events take place in Texas. With that in mind I will begin listing them not only by day but by TEXAS and ON THE ROAD. With that in mind…


Let’s Get This Party STARTED!

TEXAS

Thursday – 4
Jason Cassidy – Smith Ranch – Katy – 7-9 p.m. Fireworks to follow!
Mike Blakely – The Badu House – Llano – 7 p.m.
    /w W. C. Jameson  Special Guest: Buddy Case
    If y’all haven’t heard Buddy Case… you’re missin’ out!
Kevin Welch – The Badu House – Llano – 8 p.m.
Walt Wilkins & the Mystiqueros – The Badu House – Llano – Following the fireworks!
Jason Boland & The Stragglers – Wounded Warrior Benefit – Eden  -
Randy Rogers Band – Willie’s 4th of July Picnic – Fort Worth
Randy Rogers Band – Baytown 4th of July Celebration - Baytown

Friday – 5
Mike Amabile and Run Over Twice – Berry Hill – The Woodlands - 8 p.m.
Jason Boland & The Stragglers – The Lumberyard – Roscoe
Randy Rogers Band – House Pasture Cattle Co. – Concan

Saturday – 6
Matt Dunn – Raphael’s – Aubrey
The Almost Patsy Cline Band – Torre di Pietra Winery – Fredricksburg - 1-5 p.m.
Jason Boland & The Stragglers – Brewsters Ice House – Corpus Christi
Randy Rogers Band – Three Rivers Centennial Celebration – Three Rivers

Sunday – 7
Matt Dunn – Rockett Café – Waxahachie
Terri Hendrix – Levitt Pavillion for the Performing Arts – Arlington – 8:30 p.m.
    Part of their Outdoor Concert Series
The Almost Patsy Cline Band – Western Heritage Cowboy Church –
Pipe Creek – 3:30 p.m.
Jason Boland & The Stragglers – Backyard Live Oak Amph. – Bee Cave
    /w Willie Nelson

Monday – 8
No Shows Found

Tuesday – 9
Matt Dunn – Tavern on Main Street – Richardson

Wednesday – 10
Jason Boland & The Stragglers – State Line BBQ Music Series – El Paso


ON THE ROAD

Thursday – 4
Bo Phillips Band – Oil Patch Festival – Drumright OK


Friday – 5
Keith Anderson – Madison Meadow Park – Lombard IL
Matt Dunn – Winstar Casino – Thackerville OK
Bo Phillips Band – Kingston OK
    /w Stoney LaRue!


Saturday – 6
Bo Phillips Band – The Rig – Woodward OK


Sunday – 7
No Shows Found

Monday – 8
No Shows Found

Tuesday – 9
Randy Rogers Band – George’s Majestic Lounge – Fayetteville AR
    Hold My Beer & Watch This tour

Wednesday – 10
Randy Rogers Band – Rev Room – Little Rock AR
    Hold My Beer & Watch This tour

WILLIE NELSON - 80th Birthday Tribute

'Cause God blessed Texas with His own hand. Brought down angels from the promised land. - Little Texas

And one of those angels was Willie Nelson!

Happy Birthday Willie!

Eighty years old! That’s a long time to live through some of the things Willie Nelson has seen and done… if you’re to believe half of what the media has reported. With the exception of a couple of things, I believe Mr. Nelson has taken everything in his laid-back style we have come to love. I mean, seriously, who doesn't want to have his kind of existence. He is one of the greatest songwriters to ever grace our planet, has a voice most of today’s artists only wish they’d been blessed with, is passionate about music, causes he believes in, his family, friends and fans (over 238,000 on twitter). Most people have to die before they get the become immortalized in a statue. To top it off, he has his own town! He is a true Living Legend!

Of all the people I know, or have had the pleasure of meeting in this business over the years, Willie Nelson is probably the most comfortable in his own skin. He does pretty much what he pleases, doesn’t hurt anyone in the process and is loved and admired by probably more people than the President. Speaking of, do you know how many times his name has come up for holding the auspicious office? I don’t either, but you can bet he’d have a large voter turn-out. That has nothing to do with legalizing recreational substances, but more about his over-all beliefs in the things this country needs to get back on track and stand strong.

Willie Nelson may be perceived as having multiple characteristics. The man is smart and he’s philosophical. His opinions are based on lots of time to think, to read and to discuss the things that pique his interest. He doesn't speak without thinking and he doesn't talk to hear himself. I’d give almost anything to sit and visit with him again.

I met Willie Nelson several years ago when he performed at the Heart of Illinois Fair in Peoria IL. I was in the process of getting autographs on a picture quilt for the UCP telethon in Nashville. I've only been nervous about meeting one celebrity in my entire life… and it was not Willie Nelson. Stepping onto his bus was I’m sure, like walking in the front door of his home  - warm and welcoming. I instantly felt at ease in his presence.

Over the years, he has worked with a wide range of people, crossing genres in music, television and books. The list of artists he has worked with over the past almost sixty years is too long for this column. But it is my opinion the multiple genres he has infused himself with and into show him to be a true Texan. I think, for him it isn't about ‘country’ music. It’s about the MUSIC as a whole. Whether he’s doing something with Snoop Dog or Kris Kristofferson doesn't matter. What I think does matter is that it’s the best product that can come of the collaboration and touch people. Music is universal. And because of this, Willie Nelson is the best Ambassador of Good Will we will ever have.

Country Blessings, Willie Nelson.
Kelly
aka The Country Angel

POST CMAs

Another year is almost behind us. I can't say there were any surprises. Well, maybe one. I thought sure Brantley Gilbert would get New Artist, though Hunter Hayes earned it. Nice to see it not just 'handed' over as has seemed the case in recent years.

I was THRILLED not to see Taylor Swift get Female Vocalist.

The thing that made me most happy was the tribute to Willie Nelson. Lady Antebellum was a good choice for Always On My Mind.  Though I think my heart would have gone pitter patter if it had been Trace Atkins instead. Hey, even a journalist has her favorites. I also thought Whiskey River and Blake Shelton was a great pairing. Though you couldn't miss the double play with reformed Keith Urban as the other half of the duo.

As I type this, I'm crossing my fingers for Entertainer of the Year... praying they'll give it to someone who's truly EARNED it!

Yes, the award went to Blake Shelton. I can't believe it. I've NEVER known Blake to be speechless LOL.

If you missed the show but would like to see how things went down, you can check out the link  at CMA World

Please leave a comment. What did you like about the CMAs? What disappointed you? Let your voice be heard.

Country Blessings
Kelly