WILLIE NELSON

Venue: Dos Amigos Cantina, Odessa, Texas

Date: Tuesday, March 23rd, 2004

Review By: Josh Blackway

Photograph By: Gary Payne

Country music legend, Willie Nelson. A man I never expected to see in concert because of, A: my lack of country music intrest, and B: Willie's age. But I found myself in Odessa, Texas, hometown of President George Bush, working at my uncle's restaurant called Dos Amigos Cantina, and actually enjoying this old strummer's laid back country music.

I didn't think I knew any of his songs, I didn't think I'd like any of his songs, and I didn't expect to come away with any more of an appreciation for the man than I already had. But this is the guy who sings songs like, "On the Road Again", "Hey Good Lookin'", and "Whisky River Don't Run Dry". I guess I was sheltered from that knowledge, because I didn't know these were his songs until he played them. "Mama's, Don't Let Your Sons Grow up to be Cowboys" is another well known favorite that I never enjoyed until this night. Its real simple music, real simple songs, from a real simple guy.

What I love about Willie more than anything is the fact that he's played the same guitar, Trigger, since the 60's. It is held together by bolts and screws and it has been beaten to death, but it still sounds amazing. It has no pickguard, so as a result of years of picking, he's actually worn a hole through the spruce top. He has had hundreds of people sign this guitar, including Johnny Cash, making it quite valuable.

What made this concert extra special was it's location. (I know it's my uncle's restaurant, so maybe this seems like a promotion, but that's not what I'm intending to do here.) Only 2500 people can fit into this place, making it a really small show compared to the crowd size Willie can play for. He likes the place, in fact this was not his first time playing there. Odessa is the real deal, Texas. It's a small town, out in the middle of nowhere. Everyone knows each other and everyone seems to like each other. It's a real country atmosphere. All the guys had cowboy hats on and all the girls were smiling in their button-up shirts.

Still, I'm not a country music fan in the least, but I can appreciate a legend when I see one.