A vision, a promise

Willie turns 80!

Classic performers

Willie memories. . .

From Rolling Stone August 13, 2012 9:00 AM

Master storyteller Willie Nelson revisits his past in the video for "A Horse Called Music," a hat tip to his 1989 album A Horse Called Music and a reimagining of its title track.

In the clip, Nelson strides through the countryside, finds the chapel where he was married, rides through the small town center and watches an old film. This version of Wayne Carson's song is warmer than Nelson's original cover, meandering peacefully in place of the earlier version's emotional strain.

Merle Haggard and Willie's son, Lukas, also join in on the track. "A Horse Called Music" is from Nelson's album Heroes, which was released in May.  Read more.

Emmylou plays Merle

Classic Willie and friend!

Willie and Farm Aid

Coal Miners

What would it be like to make your living in a coal mine?

As local news reports out of Comfort, West Virginia put it on April 10, "Time stopped five days ago for the families of 29 coal miners killed in the devastating explosion at Upper Big Branch mine."

The disaster points up the risk and the harshness of some forms of labor, work that communities depend upon for life as we know it.

As I've thought about the loss of life and the sacrifice of these and other laboring people, Willie's new album and the song, "Dark as a dungeon" came to mind. I post it here as a tribute to miners everywhere.

Another great tune from Willie. . .

Immigration: the promise land

Though he tries in this performance, Jerry Caplinger is not Willie Nelson, but the lyrics still ring strong and true. Our communiites are stronger thanks to the complexity, diversity and energy of our immigrant neighbors.

Here in East Dallas we're surrounded by immigrants from south of our border. I'm grateful that my Mexican and other Latin American neighbors found their way to Dallas.

The vision of the "promise land" still shapes our national soul. During the coming battle over comprehensive immigration reform, we'd do well to remember the song's faith in the people of this nation.

St. Patrick's Day and Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson fans should have been wearing the green last Tuesday for the St. Patrick's Day celebration of the release of a very unique collection of music.

"Naked Willie" offers up 17 selections of the master's music stripped naked of all the back up tracks and typical accompaniment.

If you are a hardcore Willie fan, sample some of this fine work.

Note: Buy the collection here by clicking on one of the Amazon.com thumbnails below and to the right and benefit CDM.

Willie and the "Promise Land"

I love Willie Nelson.

Thanks to a good friend of Jennifer, my oldest daughter, I enjoyed the amazing experience of climbing on his road bus, visiting with him and meeting members of his band during one of his appearances here in Dallas.

He impressed me as a very quiet, humble man. Interested in me. Self-effacing. On the underside of the bill of a Colorado Rockies baseball cap in my collection you'll find his John Henry! Great night it was!

I've always loved Willie's rendition of "Living in the Promised Land."

Here are two presentations of this moving music. The first is filled with graphic images of the American Dream, the second a video of Willie and his band playing this important piece of music (and you'll need to disregard what follows Willie's music).

As I listen and watch, I wonder if we haven't lost something that we badly need to recapture as a people.

Just wondering.

What do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8atlMK8uqCU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAQI7Hvccbg&feature=related