I'm running a bit late in commenting on this article simply because I semi-long debated whether it was worthy of any comment to begin with. After a bit of pondering, I decided to add a little perspective because I think Willie Nelson is as much a part of this website as anyone. At least more than you realize. How so? Well, med peeps, gather 'round and Meddie will tell you a little story:
I have a picture of Willie hanging on a wall in my office. Harrahs Casino, South Lake Tahoe, 1978. I was there, front row seats and he was there putting on a show with Leon Russell, Merle Haggard and Hoyt Axton. I mention the date because it was a long time ago which I think is important. Merle, Leon and Hoyt are also important because in those days, they thought along the same lines as Willie. And I know they still do.
Back then, Willie was somewhat the ambassador by proxy of all things in excess including Jose Gold Tequila, Jack Daniel's Whiskey, and of course the Smokey-Tokey. Willie wasnt a dedicated spokeman or self-appointed advocate of the weed in general, let alone praising it's medicinal properties which wouldnt come to light for another 20 years or so. He just seemed to get busted more than most. Because he was an independent thinker,he was OK with that. He took the heat.
All that said, I identified with Willie then and even more so today. Not because he might of did things in excess, but because he was as outlaw in modern times and ironically, ahead of the curve. We needed someone like Willie in those days and still do. A voice among voices that says just because our government decides something is bad for us doesnt necessarily mean it's the truth and passing a law will not change our minds. And with the now called "medicine", so it is today.
So, the question here is, if there is one, does Willie get a pass for canceling his show, carpal tunnel vision and possession of the "Mountain Dew" not withstanding? Well, if it werent for the 91 year old mother in law, I would say emphatically, of course. Look at all the man has done. Taken from a recent news post: "Zeitgeist has become one of the buzzwords of the campaign--meaning, in context, a sort of coming together of favorable forces. St. Pierre, who can call on advisory-board input from the likes of Willie Nelson..." He originally organized and continues the Farm Aid concerts to benefit the farmers who's government threw and continue to throw under the plow and he created Bio-Willie fuel, an alternative to help slow Global Warming. He is still a rebel, a great humanitarian, an important spokesman for all things green and most important, he is one of us. The common folks.
In regard to the mother-in-law, I'm glad she was just disappointed and not angry. If she had been angry, it would indicate she doesnt look beyond Willie's music. As for the band in the van, it brings back fond memories of the times we as concert goers where doing the same, before the show, in our own vans. The only thing that has changed is now days we get ready for a concert in SUVs...
"Willie Nelson's Kenansville Concert Canceled
permalink
N.C. - Pain in Willie Nelson’s left hand, not moonshine in a jar, caused the cancellation of his Duplin County show Thursday night, according to the singer-songwriter’s camp.
His concert was canceled 15 minutes past its scheduled start, according to concertgoers. His son posted a notice on Nelson’s Web site that the Texas musician’s hand hurt too badly to play. The right-handed guitar-picker had carpal tunnel surgery on his left hand in 2004. Nelson publicist Elaine Schock said Nelson’s Web site’s explanation as to why the concert was canceled was the truth.
But others wondered if the no-show was due instead to the presence of N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement agents.
After allegedly smelling marijuana wafting from the band’s concert van parked outside the Kenansville venue, Alcohol Law Enforcement agents asked members to hand over the weed, which they did with no problems, said Ted Carlton, special agent in charge of ALE’s District III.
Longtime Nelson bass player Dan Edward “Bee” Spears, 60, Franklin, Tenn., and five others were charged with possession of non-tax-paid alcohol, Carlton said. Two of the six were also charged with marijuana possession. A court appearance is required for the charges.
Grammy award winning music legend Nelson was not present when the band members were charged. The 76-year-old strummer had yet to arrive at the Duplin County Events Center on Fairgrounds Drive.
Many in attendance at the sold out show said they felt the concert was canceled because of the band members’ bust before they were due to take the stage.
“They could have waited until after the show,” said Jacksonville resident Bertie Brown.
Brown who traveled an hour Thursday to see the show with her 91-year-old mother-in-law said she was “very disappointed” the show was cancelled.
Her mother-in-law had “never seen Willie and we were really looking forward to it,” Brown said, adding that she has seen Nelson in concert before and was really impressed with his performance.
Brown said she arrived at 6:45 p.m. with the show scheduled to begin at 7:30.
Carlton said agents finished citing the last band member at 7:30 and as far as he knew the show was still a go at that time.
At 7:45 p.m., roadies began removing sound equipment from the stage, Brown said.
“At around 8 a woman announced that Willie was ill and couldn’t be there,” she said. “The woman said to ask the box office for a refund.”
But the box office was closed, several people in attendance said.
Brown said Ticket Master has agreed to refund her money.
The ticket-selling service will refund anyone’s money who used the service to get tickets for the show, according to the company’s Web site.
Nelson will try to finish the tour in Rome, Ga., and then Asheville before returning to Texas, the Web site states.
Brown said she hopes to see Nelson again someday, but doubts it will be in Kenansville.
I raise a shot of Jose, medicate and say, "Here's to you Willie"...
MF
I have a picture of Willie hanging on a wall in my office. Harrahs Casino, South Lake Tahoe, 1978. I was there, front row seats and he was there putting on a show with Leon Russell, Merle Haggard and Hoyt Axton. I mention the date because it was a long time ago which I think is important. Merle, Leon and Hoyt are also important because in those days, they thought along the same lines as Willie. And I know they still do.
Back then, Willie was somewhat the ambassador by proxy of all things in excess including Jose Gold Tequila, Jack Daniel's Whiskey, and of course the Smokey-Tokey. Willie wasnt a dedicated spokeman or self-appointed advocate of the weed in general, let alone praising it's medicinal properties which wouldnt come to light for another 20 years or so. He just seemed to get busted more than most. Because he was an independent thinker,he was OK with that. He took the heat.
All that said, I identified with Willie then and even more so today. Not because he might of did things in excess, but because he was as outlaw in modern times and ironically, ahead of the curve. We needed someone like Willie in those days and still do. A voice among voices that says just because our government decides something is bad for us doesnt necessarily mean it's the truth and passing a law will not change our minds. And with the now called "medicine", so it is today.
So, the question here is, if there is one, does Willie get a pass for canceling his show, carpal tunnel vision and possession of the "Mountain Dew" not withstanding? Well, if it werent for the 91 year old mother in law, I would say emphatically, of course. Look at all the man has done. Taken from a recent news post: "Zeitgeist has become one of the buzzwords of the campaign--meaning, in context, a sort of coming together of favorable forces. St. Pierre, who can call on advisory-board input from the likes of Willie Nelson..." He originally organized and continues the Farm Aid concerts to benefit the farmers who's government threw and continue to throw under the plow and he created Bio-Willie fuel, an alternative to help slow Global Warming. He is still a rebel, a great humanitarian, an important spokesman for all things green and most important, he is one of us. The common folks.
In regard to the mother-in-law, I'm glad she was just disappointed and not angry. If she had been angry, it would indicate she doesnt look beyond Willie's music. As for the band in the van, it brings back fond memories of the times we as concert goers where doing the same, before the show, in our own vans. The only thing that has changed is now days we get ready for a concert in SUVs...
"Willie Nelson's Kenansville Concert Canceled
permalink
N.C. - Pain in Willie Nelson’s left hand, not moonshine in a jar, caused the cancellation of his Duplin County show Thursday night, according to the singer-songwriter’s camp.
His concert was canceled 15 minutes past its scheduled start, according to concertgoers. His son posted a notice on Nelson’s Web site that the Texas musician’s hand hurt too badly to play. The right-handed guitar-picker had carpal tunnel surgery on his left hand in 2004. Nelson publicist Elaine Schock said Nelson’s Web site’s explanation as to why the concert was canceled was the truth.
But others wondered if the no-show was due instead to the presence of N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement agents.
After allegedly smelling marijuana wafting from the band’s concert van parked outside the Kenansville venue, Alcohol Law Enforcement agents asked members to hand over the weed, which they did with no problems, said Ted Carlton, special agent in charge of ALE’s District III.
Longtime Nelson bass player Dan Edward “Bee” Spears, 60, Franklin, Tenn., and five others were charged with possession of non-tax-paid alcohol, Carlton said. Two of the six were also charged with marijuana possession. A court appearance is required for the charges.
Grammy award winning music legend Nelson was not present when the band members were charged. The 76-year-old strummer had yet to arrive at the Duplin County Events Center on Fairgrounds Drive.
Many in attendance at the sold out show said they felt the concert was canceled because of the band members’ bust before they were due to take the stage.
“They could have waited until after the show,” said Jacksonville resident Bertie Brown.
Brown who traveled an hour Thursday to see the show with her 91-year-old mother-in-law said she was “very disappointed” the show was cancelled.
Her mother-in-law had “never seen Willie and we were really looking forward to it,” Brown said, adding that she has seen Nelson in concert before and was really impressed with his performance.
Brown said she arrived at 6:45 p.m. with the show scheduled to begin at 7:30.
Carlton said agents finished citing the last band member at 7:30 and as far as he knew the show was still a go at that time.
At 7:45 p.m., roadies began removing sound equipment from the stage, Brown said.
“At around 8 a woman announced that Willie was ill and couldn’t be there,” she said. “The woman said to ask the box office for a refund.”
But the box office was closed, several people in attendance said.
Brown said Ticket Master has agreed to refund her money.
The ticket-selling service will refund anyone’s money who used the service to get tickets for the show, according to the company’s Web site.
Nelson will try to finish the tour in Rome, Ga., and then Asheville before returning to Texas, the Web site states.
Brown said she hopes to see Nelson again someday, but doubts it will be in Kenansville.
I raise a shot of Jose, medicate and say, "Here's to you Willie"...
MF
