Willie Nelson Defies Age, Remains Active on Music Stage

Willie Nelson, renowned music artist, now at the age of 92, dispels any whiff of retirement as he is as active as ever. His passion? Creating harmonious melodies with his friends, flying in the face of those whom he’s outlived in the process. As the second leg of the Outlaw Music Festival gears up to take off, Nelson is set to share the spotlight again with Bob Dylan. The festival gets underway once more on June 20 in Clarkston, Michigan.

Nelson, when asked about the prospect of his life being turned into a film like Dylan’s recent biopic, responded, ‘It has been chatted about, but my life story isn’t over just yet.’ This gentle banter between friends is typical of Nelson, who declared about Bob Dylan, ‘He’s a good friend. I have no problems letting him take the stage first.’

Just another calendar marker in a loaded year for Nelson, the upcoming tour will serve as a prelude to the 40th anniversary celebrations of Farm Aid, due to take place in September. No stranger to the recording studio, Nelson released his 77th album this spring. Undeniably, he takes as much pleasure from singing his friends’ songs as he does from his own compositions.

The late Kris Kristofferson, a long-time friend of Nelson’s, received an entire album tribute from him in 1979 called ‘Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson.’ Similarly, Nelson has a profound appreciation for the work of his friend Rodney Crowell. Over the years, he has frequently performed Crowell’s ‘Til I Gain Control Again,’ which he has repeatedly hailed as being among the finest country songs he’s ever heard.

A testament to his high esteem for Crowell’s compositions, Nelson has launched a full album featuring Crowell’s songs titled, ‘Oh What a Beautiful World.’ Nelson appreciates virtually all of Crowell’s pieces, stating, ‘I can’t think of a single song he’s penned that I don’t find appealing.’

This commendation comes on the back of the 50th anniversary of Nelson’s album, ‘Red Headed Stranger,’ widely considered to be his magnum opus. It marked a pivotal turn in his life as it catapulted the then 42-year-old from a respected journeyman to a beloved superstar. Already, Nelson disclosed that he’s begun work on his 78th album.

As Nelson resumes his journey, only one member of his original Family band lineup, Mickey Raphael, now 73, is still by his side, complementing Nelson’s unique warbling style with his harmonica tunes. Over the last decade, the band has lost its bassist Bee Spears, singer and guitarist Jody Payne, drummer Paul English, and Nelson’s piano-playing sister, Bobbie Nelson.

Nonetheless, on the stage now, the band continues its tradition of being a family affair. It often features his sons Lukas and Micah, drummer Billy English (brother of Paul English) and Waylon Payne (the son of Payne and singer Sammi Smith) on guitar. The band remains attuned to Nelson’s impromptu demands on stage.

Nelson audaciously rejects the idea of a set list for the live performances. Instead, he prefers the spontaneity of reading the crowd’s mood and delivering on the spot. ‘I perform better when I go with the flow. I have a knack for understanding the crowd’s vibe,’ remarked Nelson. This approach keeps everyone on high alert, as they must be prepared for any whimsical change in the performance.

Recent performances have seen the inclusion of classics like ‘Whiskey River’ (which is always the inaugural piece) and ‘Bloody Mary Morning’. Additionally, new tracks like Tom Waits’ ‘Last Leaf’ have found their way into the list, wherein Nelson paints a vivid picture with the words ‘I’m the last leaf on the tree, the autumn took the rest, but it won’t take me.’

Nelson’s son, Micah, was instrumental in introducing him to the track. ‘My son Micah brought the song to me, and it immediately struck a chord with me. The audience seems to love it too. It’s truly one of the finest pieces I’ve come across,’ commented Nelson.

Not just a spectator, Micah, who records and performs under the pseudonym Particle Boy, has penned songs that have been performed by Nelson. One standout from Micah’s roster, ‘Everything Is B- – – – – -t,’ encapsulates Nelson’s views, despite seemingly contrasting with gospel standards like ‘I’ll Fly Away’ and ‘Will the Circle Be Unbroken’ that he often performs.

In Nelson’s opinion, these songs aren’t juxtapositions. ‘In my eyes, they’re all gospel,’ he chuckles when asked about the contrasting themes. September this year will mark the 40th anniversary edition of Farm Aid, the annual festival that aids family farmers, conceptualized by Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp.

Nelson’s tribute to family farmers has roots in one-off charity concerts like ‘Live Aid.’ However, it has grown into an annual event, with festivities rotating around various farm-adjacent cities each year. This time around, it will be setting up shop in Minneapolis.

When asked about his preferred installment, Nelson, with his typical laid-back demeanor, stated, ‘They were all exceptional in their own ways. The first one was memorable, and the last one was just as fantastic.’