Willie Nelson and Rhonda Vincent @ the Ryman
The last time I saw Willie Nelson was 30 years ago at the Columbus Civic Center in Columbus, GA. I was a student at Auburn and had already seen Willie 3 times. But it was only a few miles away and he was touring with Leon Russell, so it was a last minute what-the-hell-lets-go. Folks were allowed to take coolers into the civic center, which amazed me even back then. It was a somewhat rowdy show with a beer or whiskey bottle flying through the air every now and then, and Willie never refused to take a drink out of a Jack Daniels bottle that was handed up to him (or any other substance.) Nevertheless, Willie and Family put on their usual great show, and you had the addition of Leon Russell...it made for a great night. Always accessable, Willie would hang around the edge of the stage, shaking hands and signing autographs until the last soul was gone. If you've never shook the hand of Willie, it's your own damn fault.
So 30 years later, I head to the Ryman to see Willie. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Rhonda Vincent and band were opening the show. I've had a couple of her cd's, but never had the opportunity to see her. She has a very tight bluegrass band and her vocals, and the harmony of her bandmates were killer. Nice cover of the old song, 'Crazy Love' from the '70's. Check her out at her website...
Rhonda Vincent and the Rage
Willie came on a little unsteady on his feet, greeted the crowd, and said,"let me see if I can find an instrument here somewhere." He fired up the old standard 'Whiskey River' which never really took off...Willie's voice was fairly weak at this point. Maybe he was adjusted, had just woke up, who knows...the good news is that a few songs into the evening, and the Willie of old seemed to come out. He seemed to gain confidence (or clarity) and that distinctive voice and phrasing kicked in. Early on he introduced his stagemates, not the Willie Nelson Family of old, but Nashville musicians handpicked for this date, I'd say. Only Mickey Raphael was there, representing the Family on harmonica. Buddy Miller sat in close proximity to Willie, but seldom turned loose on the guitar...maybe he was there in compadre status. Anyway, the song list for the evening was chock full of songs from the past of other artists: Ray Price, Bob Wills, Johnny and Jack, Porter Wagoner, among many others. While this made for a good show, the crowd was definitely there for Willie Nelson music...and there was none, until closing time. And then very little. There was 'On the Road Again', 'Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain', and the traditional 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken/I'll Fly Away' closing crowd inciting medley.
All in all, it was a good show for those who'd never had the chance to see Willie, but for oldtimers like me, I'm glad Rhonda Vincent showed up. It seems that me and Willie are getting old.
hbsongs 948 overandout
So 30 years later, I head to the Ryman to see Willie. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Rhonda Vincent and band were opening the show. I've had a couple of her cd's, but never had the opportunity to see her. She has a very tight bluegrass band and her vocals, and the harmony of her bandmates were killer. Nice cover of the old song, 'Crazy Love' from the '70's. Check her out at her website...
Rhonda Vincent and the Rage
Willie came on a little unsteady on his feet, greeted the crowd, and said,"let me see if I can find an instrument here somewhere." He fired up the old standard 'Whiskey River' which never really took off...Willie's voice was fairly weak at this point. Maybe he was adjusted, had just woke up, who knows...the good news is that a few songs into the evening, and the Willie of old seemed to come out. He seemed to gain confidence (or clarity) and that distinctive voice and phrasing kicked in. Early on he introduced his stagemates, not the Willie Nelson Family of old, but Nashville musicians handpicked for this date, I'd say. Only Mickey Raphael was there, representing the Family on harmonica. Buddy Miller sat in close proximity to Willie, but seldom turned loose on the guitar...maybe he was there in compadre status. Anyway, the song list for the evening was chock full of songs from the past of other artists: Ray Price, Bob Wills, Johnny and Jack, Porter Wagoner, among many others. While this made for a good show, the crowd was definitely there for Willie Nelson music...and there was none, until closing time. And then very little. There was 'On the Road Again', 'Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain', and the traditional 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken/I'll Fly Away' closing crowd inciting medley.
All in all, it was a good show for those who'd never had the chance to see Willie, but for oldtimers like me, I'm glad Rhonda Vincent showed up. It seems that me and Willie are getting old.hbsongs 948 overandout
Comments