I saw Willie Nelson perform before an almost empty house...in Lubbock, Texas, mirabile dictu! This would have been right around 1970 or maybe 1971.

You fail to mention that in the "Red Headed Stranger" album the Preacher kills another woman for playfully grabbing at the bridle of his dead wife's mare.

"The Stranger went free, of course,
for you can't hang a man for killin' a woman
who's tryin' to steal your horse."

Those of you who know the story of the Southern California classic "Ramona' might be interested to know that, according to my grandfather, his father was friends with the guy who killed Ramona's husband ("Alessandro" in the novel, Juan Diego in real life). According to my grandfather, he was a "helluva nice guy," although according to most accounts he was a very violent, disagreeable man. However, in recounting this, I paraphrase the Willie Nelson song to say that the shooter
"...went free of, course,
for you can't hang a man for killin' a Redskin
who's trying to steal your horse."

Wasn't Willie the founding father of the Rebel Country movement?

Willie is apparently fond of stopping in empty roadhouses on the south texas border, playing afew, and disappearing into the night. my old man saw him in del rio about 15 yrs ago.....3 other people in the bar.

Check out Hayes Carll sometime. "She Left Me for Jesus" — now that's a country song.

Last edited by shamrockmonkey (2011-01-21 19:53:44)

There's some decent modern country about: Tom Russell and Hank Williams III are prime examples.