2009.02.17
Great sidebar stories from the Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel concert
Fan photo, from Darrell Rayfield
As I wrote in the print review, the folks went nuts for Willie. At one point just before he began singing "Pancho and Lefty," a man near the stage shouted, "Love you, Willie!" As Nelson broke into the first line, a woman sitting near that man said in a quieter voice, "I love you, too."
Now for a couple of stories about lucky people at the concert. Nelson came onstage wearing a black straw cowboy hat, but tossed it out into the crowd about halfway through the set. About 10 rows back, a man caught it.
Hat-catcher Skyler McCurley, 40, of Lynchburg, said it was too small for his head, but it was just right for his friend, George Cook, 42, also of Lynchburg. McCurley said he was keeping the hat.
"I'm going to see what it can do for me," McCurley said, showing the hatband, which had Nelson's signature on it. "I thought it was going to say, 'Made in China.'"
Nelson seemed finished with his set, before all of a sudden looking down and picking up something from the floor. He told the band, "Happy Birthday to You, in G," then dedicated the song to "Julie Ann, on her 39th birthday."
A pair of women near the front began jumping, screaming and hugging. One of them was Julie Ann Pauley, of Giles County. Next to her was her mother, Vickie Lafon, also of Giles County. Lafon said she left a little card with the birthday request at the front of the stage, "hoping he would see it."
He did.
Often, Nelson's live performances -- granted, I've only seen them on TV since the last time I saw him in concert, in 1977 -- come off a little disjointed. He follows his own rhythmic and phrasing muse, and not all of his many, many sidemen have been adept at following while keeping a nice groove going.
But Asleep at the Wheel is a band of great listeners, and followed him almost seamlessly. Drummer David Sanger was particularly locked in.
Nelson himself sounded particularly good, as did harmonica player Mickey Raphael, who joined the band for most of the Nelson classics.
A final note about the band. Asleep at the Wheel featured 14-year-old Ruby Jane Smith, a fiddle player with a really promising future. She bowed like mad, mixing in some classical with her country-swing chops, and played great twin leads with regular AATW fiddler Jason Roberts.
What a great show! Western/big band mix, so cool. Asleep at the wheel had a very impressive sound and were very tight. I was happy to hear the classics most of all though. Willie allowed a few new songs that were of classic quality that I enjoyed. My highlight of the evening is that he was cool enough to hang with his fans for a short while and I actually got to shake his hand and speak to him! I've wanted to see him since childhood and never imagined that I'd get to do that! Two thumbs up for Willie Nelson.
Comment by Johnny Mason — February 18, 2009 @ 6:28 am
Willie and The Wheel were awesome!
Comment by Joanne — February 18, 2009 @ 7:47 am
This guy gets better every time I see him, a great guy that is like wine gets better with age. Little Ruby Jane stole everyones heart a great treat
Comment by Debbie Compton — February 19, 2009 @ 9:39 am
I'm so glad Willie sang Happy Birthday to Julie Ann....I have the exact same name, was at the show and live in Bland County...it was a treat for me as well. Happy Birthday Julie Ann!!
Comment by Julie Pauley — February 19, 2009 @ 9:41 am
I am proud to say I am the newly famous Julie Ann's sister and I recieved the call at 11:15pm from my sister to tell me the news. I know she and my mother had a wonderful night and am so thankful to Willie for making her birthday special, Lord knows she deserved it! I love you Julie Ann!
Comment by mindy caldwell — February 19, 2009 @ 12:14 pm
She was ecstatic, Julie Pauley No. 2. I suppose you were literally able to party "like it's your birthday."
So Johnny, have you washed your hand yet?
Comment by Tad — February 19, 2009 @ 12:38 pm
Mindy, it was almost random. It was like he just noticed the card, picked it up and thought, "what the hey." Super cool move on his part.
Comment by Tad — February 19, 2009 @ 12:40 pm
Tad,
I couldn't believe what was happening to me! It was the best birthday ever! Thank you, Mama! Do you have any idea how I can get a recording of the show? I'd love to here Willie sing to me once more- to relive the excitement! Any help you can give me would be appreciated.
Thank you for the article!
Julie Pauley #1
Comment by Julie Pauley — February 20, 2009 @ 10:41 am
Tad, It was the most memorable birthday ever! Thank you, Mama! And I love you too, Mindy! Do you have any ideas on how I could get a recording of the concert? It's not everyday Willie sings to you! I would love to hear it again and relive the excitement! Thank you also for the article! If you have any suggestions let me know! Thanks again! Julie Pauley #1
Comment by Julie Pauley — February 20, 2009 @ 1:03 pm
some more picts from Willie's show.
Comment by Stick — February 20, 2009 @ 2:56 pm
Pics didn't post, Stick.
Julie #1, I'm glad you loved it. For you, that was a show for the ages. I'll check with the tour publicist, and see if the crew was taping that night.
Comment by Tad — February 20, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
Oh, and to see Stick's pics, go to http://stickscene.blogspot.com/
Comment by Tad — February 20, 2009 @ 3:26 pm
I'm not surprised Ruby Jane stole everyone's heart, she does that every time she plays here in her home town of Austin, Texas. She's already the best fiddle player I've ever heard, 14 years old or not.
Comment by Austin Ruby Jane Fan — March 5, 2009 @ 9:09 am