January 2019: Paragon Casino, Marksville, Louisiana
I was invited by a good friend Cheryl to accompany her and another friend Rita to see Willie Nelson at the nearby Paragon Casino. Although I am not opposed to gambling, I am opposed to losing money. But I definitely was interested in the concert to see the guy I’ve been singing along with on the radio since the ’70s.
Willie is 85 years old, yes, let that sink in folks. He strolled onto the stage in his jeans and boots and signature braids. He was a little pale and has a lot more wear and tear than I remembered. And I remembered a lot more wear and tear.
He launched into his music … his mastery on that guitar is still amazing. His sister accompanied him with her honky tonk piano music and lord, she was fantastic. I swear I saw that piano shaking a leg. And Willie announced his sister had just made the Texas Hall of Fame. His son, Lucas, played a good bit in every arrangement and even performed a solo that made his instrument shine. Lucas will surpass Willie one day.
Fan participation was encouraged and we obliged singing “Momma, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys.” We were all off key but no one cared. We knew the words and were obliged to help ole Willie out.
Willie was definitely having some respiratory issues. For most of the songs, he spoke the phrases in short snippets. It seemed as though he might have an oxygen deficit. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) came to mind. Then he started crooning, “I woke up still not dead today.” Boy, I was some glad to hear that.
“Always on my mind” was an obvious fan favorite; and the crowd roared when he started. It wasn’t his best rendition. But I’ll take it … appreciating the fact that he sang a solid hour, standing in boots, meandering around the stage. Did I mention he was gyrating with his guitar? I can only hope to do as well when I am 85. And I hope someone pays me to do it.
When the show was over, he walked along the edge of the stage waving to us adoring fans who were crowding for his attention. There was no encore. You didn’t expect one. You knew it was over. And I knew I would probably never see him in concert again. Love me some Willie Nelson!
