Wishing Willie A Happy Birthday–And A Lot More
OK, Willie Nelson’s 75 today, which is wonderful. But, really, isn’t today’s DMN editorial and the Texas Monthly May extravaganza all bordering on some serious overkill? Willie’s been responsible for some great songs and he’s a Texas “icon” and all, but come on. The TM oral history is thousands and thousands and thousands (and thousands) of words about Nelson from people like Jimmy Carter and Robert Redford. Evan Smith even tells us he “reacts emotionally” when he hears the first notes of “Whiskey River.” When I hear them I think: “Oh crap; not that one again.” Happy Birthday anyway, Willie. Hold one in for me.
31 Comments to “Wishing Willie A Happy Birthday–And A Lot More”
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Take it back.
The man has the ability to touch people’s souls, and that is powerful stuff. He has written thousands of songs and can sing them at the drop of a hat. What is wrong with celebrating the life of a good and honest man who has had such an impressive career and lived life on his own terms?
Happy Birthday Willie!
P.S. I met Willie on a quiet Sunday in 1986. I even sang some church hymns with Willie and some of the family. I have been a loyal fan ever since.
You did not just type that?
Go back to Michigan, Glenn. And don’t expect to be granted re-entry into the Lone Star State.
Next up, Glenn’s penetrating think-piece, Barbecue: Big Freakin’ Deal Already.
Glenn’s from California. Doesn’t that say it all?
And his name’s not even Glenn.
Willie is bigger than life, and his audience spans generations and genres. I can appreciate him, and I’m not a native either.
Michigan, California. Yankee places are all the same.
My best friend turns 27 today. Where’s the love for her? She should get SOMETHING for having to share a birthday with Willie Nelson all her life.
I co-hosted a two-hour Willie special last weekend on KERA and in prep…doing some quickie research… realized that Willie is more than the sum of his parts. He is larger than who he is and what he has done; he is someone who has always been a good person doing good things for others…and us. Think of Willie Nelson as the man who is more like Ann Richards than George Bush and gave us one of the best single songs ever recorded / this by one of the absolute finest vocalists of all times: The inimitable Patsy Cline singing Willie’s incomparable anthem of love gone wrong, “Crazy”. That alone should be a flag raiser!
Happy birthday Courtney’s friend!
Frontburnervians, it’s time to run this Yankee Carpetbagger back across the Red River. Gather tonight with your pitchforks and shotguns.
I hold people like Glenn Hunter responsible for Frisco, Chili’s and Mariah Carey.
Get a rope.
I think Willie is a great icon for Texas. A lot better for humanity and a lot less shameful than, say… hmmm….
Happy 75th Wilie!
Sure the Rangers are in the cellar, Maggie, but shameful? That’s a little harsh…
Glenn Hunter-
It’s better to keep your mouth shut and have people think you are a fool than to open it and remove any lingering doubt
Read it
Know it
Live it
ok, it’s one thing for Wick to blaspheme against Baptists and even Catholics, but DON’T mess with Willie! The man is more than just a Texas icon, he and his band of Outlaws virtually created crossover music! Before Progressive Country the lines were clearly and severely drawn. Long live Willie & the Armadillo World HQ!
wow, glenn, your ploy for attention sure seems to have worked. however, you have pushed my buttons enough to add to the above posts.
blasphemy!
happy birthday willie!
What’s Glenn’s real name? Horace?
I’m saving that for next time he gets worked up over someone not wanting to be called, “crippled” or “handicapped” or “disabled.”
Hey Rawlins, that show was awesome! I was only able to catch bits and pieces as I was running some errands. Know if there is anyplace I could download the entire thing?
Of the parts I heard, I think I enjoyed the commentary of his drummer Paul the best. Especially the part about writing “Shotgun Willie.” Classic.
Wes, check with the station because I think a lot of that show was available on CD and Podcast, etc. I was with Jeff Wittington who is Senior Producer and he is clued into everything there whereas I am contributing /recurring visitor civilian. Contact Jeff at jwittington@kera.org. I know he will fix you up if anyone can. Thanks for listening and asking. Rawlins
Glen seems like the type who eats his Tex-Mex at On the Border. Way to piss off the entire State of Texas!
Try Enchilada’s and Desperados. He also likes Dean Martin and Merle Haggard. His comments may be due to my having Willie as “Top 25 Most Played” on my IPod and the DMN and TXMonthly adoring the Wilie-meister too much for his liking. I apologize for his upsetting the FB Nation, but promise that I shall work harder in the future to educate him on the beauty of Texas legends. It was a choice of helping a homeless person or an expatriate of California. Happy B-day, Willie!
I think every editor at ‘D’ is married to a highly intelligent goddess. (Except Nancy Nichols.)
Easy, pardners. Glenn and I are both from Santa Barbara. Ain’t no Yankees here. And Prejean loves us both.
Thank you Glenn’s wife. And to you Extra-Terrestrial Texans…now listen up: don’t ever bad mouth the music of Willie Nelson, the sweet scent of Mesquite grilled BBQ, the delicate beauty of the bluebonnet, the greasy hot plate of enchiladas. Go ahead with the tall hair, religious fanatic, gas guzzling, gun-toting comments but lay off of the icons. Or Hondo Crouch will rise from his holy grave and visit terror upon your family.
….and make you watch auto-loop re-runs of ‘Dallas’ episodes.
I would be bitter too, since they have Willie Nelson on their cover and you have… Jessica Simpson? Those “cool points” are just fluttering away.
Is it D jealosy working here a bit…the city and the magazine? Dallas has been home to many music icons…but most have moved away, notable exception Charley Pride (nice article, btw). Does Dallas/Oak Cliff even have a memorial for SRV?
willie, who?