Willie Nelson is turning 90 today, and there are plenty of celebrations in place to honor the living legend.
The most notable of which is Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90, a two night concert and birthday celebration at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles that will feature Snoop Dogg, Billy Strings, George Strait, and of course Willie Nelson, among a star studded lineup of 45 artists ready to throwdown for Shotgun WIllie.
If you’re not going to be in attendance at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend, like myself, unfortunately, then there are still plenty of ways to celebrate. I’ll be cranking Ol’ Willie all day, but I’ll be sure to mix in my fair share of tunes from The Next Waltz’s tribute to Willie that just dropped in honor of his 90 years.
The Austin, TX based record label, founded by the legendary Bruce Robison in 2016, just released One Night in Texas: The Next Waltz’s Tribute to The Red Headed Stranger in tandem with some pretty incredible artists including Robert Earl Keen, Steve Earl, Sheryl Crow, Nathaniel Rateliff, and more. Recorded live at Nelson’s iconic ranch in Luck, TX, Robison and the other artists were able to catch lightning in a bottle from a special night, and get it released just in time for Willie’s big day.
The Next Waltz announced the album’s official release on Instagram yesterday.
“The day is finally here! ‘One Night In Texas: The Next Waltz’s Tribute to The Red Headed Stranger,’ the live album recorded at Willie Nelson’s Luck, TX for his 89th birthday celebration on May 1st, 2022, is now available – one day before Willie’s 90th birthday!”
And Bruce Robison, best known as the songwriter behind country music hits like “Travelin’ Soldier,” provided some cool insight into the record and the process behind it.
“To put together a night of Willie Nelson music is a bit of a dream for me. His songs and the vibe of The Family band was so formative that it is hard to measure. The music has always been a part of my life – a North Star. When we got together a bunch of friends for the band, playing this music, after these couple years – honestly, it felt like it was about more than just Willie.
Then, the crazy group of guests signed on for the show, and then Bobbie passed, and then Willie decided he would come play a set after us. The night just felt like some kind of celebration of life. When it was coming together I knew I had to try to record it.
When I heard what was on tape it sounded like magic to me. It sounded like 1973. It is definitely the sound of people having fun. This was a great night in Texas. The band was a runaway train and the singers were insane. Thanks to everybody who lent their talents to this.”
I mean, you can’t beat that.
And as you could imagine, these artists covered some pretty legendary Willie tunes for this check out the full setlist here:
“Bloody Mary Morning” – Vincent Neil Emerson
“Shotgun Willie” – Margo Price
“Pick Up the Tempo” – Robert Earl Keen
“I Gotta Get Drunk” – Shinyribs
“Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” – Nathaniel Rateliff
“Pancho and Lefty” – Steve Earle
“Down Yonder” – Emily Gimble
“Night Life” – Sheryl Crow
“Last Thing I Needed First Thing in the Morning” – Bruce Robison
“Whiskey River” – Ray Wyle Hubbard
“My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” – Shinyribs
“Crazy” – Nathaniel Rateliff
“How Will I Know (I’m Falling in Love Again) – Bruce Robison
“The Party’s Over” – Phosphorescent
And while we’re at it, here are a couple of my Willie Nelson favorites that didn’t make th cut.
“Always on My Mind”
“Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground”
Happy Birthday to the GOAT!
