Review by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Danny Zelisko Presents
Venue: Celebrity Theatre
Date: Tuesday May 21st, 2019
Most of the time I do not cover country music bands, but I made an exception because this is WILLIE NELSON. The man is a legend in the music industry. Willie has been performing for over 75 years. He wrote his first song at age 7 and joined his first band at age 10.
I am sorry but I have no photographs from the show. Willie’s publisher only gave out very limited number of media credentials and unfortunately, I did not get one. However, the promoter, Danny Zelisko did offer me a ticket so I could at least review the show. This was my first time to see Willie and it was interesting. That’s interesting GOOD not bad. Willie had 5 other members in his band known as Willie Nelson and Family. Bobbie Nelson, his sister played grand piano, Kevin Smith played bass, both electric and upright bass that at times he played as “Slap Bass”. Mickey Raphael played harmonic and there were 2 percussionists. Paul English played the smallest drum kit I have ever seen, he only had a single snare drum, no cymbals or even a bass drum. Billy English had conga drums, tambourine, maracas among other items.
This was the second night that Willie played at the Celebrity Theatre and from talking with the ushers, both shows were almost fully sold-out. The crowd was really into it, helping Willie sing different songs. During “Good Hearted Woman”, Willie would sing, “She’s a good hearted woman” and then the audience would finish the line with “in love with a good timin’s man”. Then when Willie played “Mammas don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys” the audience sang the chorus as Willie stood there smiling as he listened to the audience. And when Willie and the band played “Its hard to be humble” the crowd was dying laughing at Willie’s different facial expressions. The crowd also sang a large part of the song. Toward the end of the show, Willie throw his hat into the crowd and then put on one of his famous red bandanas. He later excepted a bunch of flowers from a child in the front row and gave her his bandana.
Everyone in the audience seemed to have a great time at the show. If you get a chance to see Willie, it is definitely worth it.
