Waylon Wednesday

Happy Waylon Wednesday ya'll

Wayback Wednesday: Waylon Jennings at the Country Music Hall of Fame

Among the many folks at the Country Music Hall of Fame, you will find Waylon Jennings.  He was elected in 2002. 

The inscription reads, "With four decades of chart records, Texas native Waylon Jennings is one of country music's most consistent hitmakers.  While playing bass in Buddy Holly's band, he gave up his seat on Holly's fatal 1959 flight to J.P. Richardson.  In 1965 Bobby Bare helped sign Jennings to RCA.  his lean, bass-driven sound, long dark hair, and black attire defined his trademark outlaw image in the 1970s.  His many hits include "I'm a Ramblin' Man" and "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way."  In 1976, he was part of country music's first platinum album, "Wanted! The Outlaws."  His famous duets with Willie Nelson include "Good Hearted Woman" and "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys."  Jennings also scored hits with wife Jessi Colter, Jerry Reed, Hank Williams, Jr., and as one of the Highwaymen (Jennings, Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson)."

Wayback Wednesday: Why I am a fan of Willie Nelson

Have a Willie Nice Day from yours truly

I've always been a Willie Nelson fan.  In fact, I wanted to do my driver's license photo wearing a my Willie Nelson shirt so that his head would pop up from the bottom of it.  But it was laundry day, Willie was getting washed and it was the last day for me to renew my license so it didn't happen.  However, when I do go back to renew it many years down the road, I will have to wear it.

 

Back a few years ago, I got to live a dream, a bucket list item you might say.  I finally got to see Willie Nelson in concert.  It was down in Knoxville as part of the Country Throwdown Tour.  I was invited back with press credentials for a second year to cover the event.  It was a real treat and honor.  I got to meet Lukas Nelson, Erin Enderlin, Craig Campbell, and several others.  It was indeed a rush to get to photograph there in the pit the man, the myth, the legendary Willie Nelson.  My article and photo of him was also featured on his website. 

 

 

Willie Nelson along with Lukas Nelson at Country Throwdown. Photo by Jessica Blankenship

I've also grown up living on a farm in rural Kentucky.  We learned how to make a living off the land raising tobacco, soybeans, hay, and wheat.  Farm Aid is an organization that I appreciate coming from the family farm.  They have helped out quite a few folks across the United States in times of need, whether it was a natural disaster or otherwise.  The concert is one that is on my bucket list to attend.  Crossing my fingers it comes back to Louisville or down to Knoxville in the future.  Needless to say, it has brought awareness to the troubles of the American Farmer, as well as encourage folks to go and buy locally grown products.  I'm a firm believer in purchasing locally made products.  We have to help one another for a community to be successful.  Go over to www.farmaid.org and help support the cause.

I could go on and on about his music, but we all know the hit songs. From Whiskey River to You Were Always On My Mind to Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground....there is always something for everyone.  Scholars could write thesis on the legendary songwriting skills of Willie Nelson but a fan knows what hits the heart and what hits the mind for a good time.

 

Needless to say my country music bucket list of those to interview includes Willie Nelson.  There are so many questions and much history that I've always wanted to know.  And hopefully one day I'll be able to make it down to Texas to attend his 4th of July picnic!

Waylon Wednesday

Happy Wayback Waylon Wednesday!

Waylon Jennings and his infamous Fender Telecaster guitar.  Photo taken back in 1970 according to the Walkin' Nashville Facebook Page.  Check out their page at https://www.facebook.com/WalkinNashville

George Jones final concert performer list released

On November 22, 2013, the country music community will be honoring the late George Jones with what was to be his final concert of his career.  Today, the official list of performers has been released for the tribute called "Playin’ Possum! The Final No Show."

Legendary performers, as well as some relatively newcomers are listed among those to perform.  Below is the complete list of those that will be playing at the George Jones tribute concert.

Alabama, Alan Jackson, Baillie & the Boys, Big & Rich, Bill Anderson, Blake Shelton, Bobby Bare, Brad Paisley, Brenda Lee, Chad Warrix of Halfway to Hazzard, Charlie Daniels, Collin Raye, Craig Morgan, Dailey & Vincent, Daryle Singletary, Dierks Bentley, Eddy Raven, Emmylou Harris, Eric Church, Eric Lee Beddingfield, Gary Morris, George Strait, Greg Bates, Gretchen Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Janie Fricke, Jeanne Pruett, Jeannie Seely, Jessi Colter, Jett Williams, Jim Ed Brown, Jim Lauderdale, Jimmy C. Newman, Jimmy Wayne, John Conlee, John Michael Montgomery, Josh Turner, Kathy Mattea, Kentucky Headhunters, Kid Rock, Larry Gatlin, Lee Ann Womack, Lee Greenwood, Leona Williams, Lisa Matassa, Little Jimmy Dickens, Lorrie Morgan, Lynn Anderson, Mandy Barnett, Mark Collie, Martina McBride, Megadeth, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, The Oak Ridge Boys, Pam Tillis, Patty Loveless, Ray Stevens, Reba McEntire, Rodney Atkins, Ronnie McDowell, The Roys, Sam Moore, Shooter Jennings, Stonewall Jackson, Suzy Bogguss, T. Graham Brown, Tanya Tucker
Teea Goans, TG Sheppard, Thompson Square, Tracy Lawrence, Travis Tritt, and Vince Gill

There will also be some surprise guests that have not been released.

“I am so excited how this show has evolved and I will be forever grateful to the artists that are coming to honor George,” says Nancy Jones. “The evening might be long, but I don’t think people will be upset as they will witness the best musical tribute Nashville has ever seen with so many artists performing George Jones songs.”

Although the show is sold out, a special VIP package which includes a show ticket, a VIP pre-show reception with Nancy Jones, and other special items are available on a limited basis. These packages are only available at www.georgejones.com.

Blue Side of Heaven

My grandpa - always in Liberty overalls overlooking his mules.

It isn't very often that you hear a song and it hits you in your heart.  It pulls a heartstring.  I first heard Alan Jackson's song, "Blue Side of Heaven," over the radio airwaves of WSM-650 AM.  Alan Jackson did a concert at the Station Inn to promote his album, "The Bluegrass Album."  Then when he played that song I immediately was brought to tears.  I began searching the lyrics or even another live performance of the song online.  Needless to say, I had to wait until the album was released.

 

The song immediately reminded me of the passing of my grandparents this past spring.  My grandpa passed away a month after his birthday and a week after their 69th wedding anniversary.  My grandma would pass away a week after her birthday, a month after my grandpa.  Every time I see a pair of Liberty overalls or a quilt I am reminded of my grandparents.  They are definitely missed.

 

Click here for the article that I wrote for Examiner.com that tells about the background story of the song as well as the lyrics to Blue Side of Heaven.