My heroes have always been cowboys (but none so much as Willie)

Last night I stood within twenty feet of one of my heroes.

I LOVE YOU WILLIE!!!!!

It was epic.  If you can get tickets to Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” tour, buy them now.  You will not regret it.  I saw him with my family last night in Marymore Park in Redmond, Washington.  The man is 75 years old, played for two hours straight, and sounded as good as he did in 1956.  And he played most everything for at least a minute or so–only an obsessive fanatic like me would know a few songs he didn’t play.  On top of being a music and lyrical genius, Willie is a guitar god.  Most people don’t know that.  Willie is the lead (and only) guitarist in Willie Nelson and Family.  He solos in almost every song on this tour.  His guitar is so ancient and beat up that it has two holes in it, instead of just one.

As impressive as the quality and length of last night’s show were, I was even more impressed by how happy he made his audience.  Willie Nelson has been an active musician for fifty years and people have appreciated him for thirty.  Willie Nelson has been making people happy for thirty years!  That’s AMAZING!  And he seems to thoroughly enjoy himself while he’s at it.  He spent a good ten minutes signing autographs at the end of his show last night.  Anyone who had something for him to sign (and had bought the $70 seats–the most expensive seats offered) could bring their piece of memorabilia to the stage and he’d sign it.  When people were out of things to sign he shook their hands.  I didn’t try for an autograph–I don’t really understand the autograph thing.  I wouldn’t have said no to a handshake, though.  Sigh.

In other news, I recorded three new songs at Randy Devitt’s house on Wednesday.  They are “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt, “Stay With You” by John Legend, and “Break Down Here” by Julie Roberts.  I’m happiest with “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”  My mom, Cindy Bain, accompanied me on all of them.  My sister, Allison, joined us for “Break Down Here.”  You can let me know if you’d like to hear one or all of them by leaving a comment here.

In other other news, I am leaving for Portland on Sunday.  I move into a house in Sellwood on Monday, and school starts on Tuesday.  I’ve found some guitar teachers to call–one of them is even in Sellwood!  I’ve also been exchanging e-mails with some musicians in need of vocals.  Some of them are very promising!  Craigslist.org is my best friend these days.  I will keep you posted about the connections I make in my first few weeks of school.

Until soon,

Em

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