At the end of 1936, Basie and his band, now billed as Count Basie and His Barons of Rhythm, moved from Kansas City to CHICAGO, where they honed their repertoire at a long engagement at the Grand Terrace Cafe.[29] Right from the start, Basie's band was known for its rhythm section. Another Basie innovation was the use of two tenor saxophone players; at the time, most bands had just one. When Young complained of Herschel Evans' vibrato, Basie placed them on either side of the alto players, and soon had the tenor players engaged in "duels". Many other bands later adapted the split tenor arrangement.[30] In that city (CHICAGO) in October 1936, the band had a recording session which the producer John Hammond later described as "the only perfect, completely perfect recording session I've ever had anything to do with".[31] Hammond first heard Basie's band on the radio and went to Kansas City to check them out.[32] He invited them to record, in performances which were Lester Young's earliest recordings. Those four sides were released on Vocalion Records under the band name of Jones-Smith Incorporated; the sides were "Shoe Shine Boy", "Evening", "Boogie Woogie", and "Oh Lady Be Good". After Vocalion became a subsidiary of Columbia Records in 1938, "Boogie Woogie" was released in 1941 as part of a four-record compilation album entitled Boogie Woogie (Columbia album C44).[33] When he made the Vocalion recordings, Basie had already signed with Decca Records, but did not have his first recording session with them until January 1937. Basie was actually from Jersey and began his career in Kansas City, but I suggest his "musical" home was Chicago. I know this goes against conventional wisdom but I am sticking with it. Bob Wills in Fort Worth, Basie in Chicago and Ellington in NYC were all linked together in the collective unconsciousness of swing. Enjoy.
There's a missing Texas link here: Eddie Durham who was raised in the outback of Texas (San Marcos). His mom was a Native American. His dad was black, Irish, and Mexican and he grew up as a full-fledged cowboy and spoke Spanish only until he was a teenager. He was the music director for Count Basie and lots of other bands (wrote the arrangement for "In the Mood" for which is was paid $5) Among other things, he helped invented the electric guitar.
At my grandma's, Father came in from Dallas, took a shower as we were all going out to eat. Time of the Preacher was on the Radio. Complained to my Granny that she would not let me listen to it. She said with a smile, "it's not the radio". It was my father playing the piano and singing. He was a child prodigy who could play any percussion, including piano, anything wind, guitar, and accordion. Mom met him playing the southern bar circuit in the early sixties, so he knew CD, Elvin Bishop, etc, His name is Dwayne C. Price, for anyone who has ever saw him play, but his forte is Willie Nelson.
Mark & Eric, Thank you for another Great Show! I found the “America’ Untold Stories” Channel in June 2023. The first show that I watched was “Ladies of LBJ” which is what got me hooked on this Channel. I spent my free time last summer watcing the Shows that I had not seen before. Now I look forward to Tuesdays and Fridays knowing that you will be having a Live Podcast. All of the different subject matter that you have presented is quite interesting including today’s show about Willie Nelson (National Treasure)! Willie Nelson’s Birthday is April 29, 1923. The only reason that I know this is because my younger brother’s Birthday is on April 29th. In 1973, Willie Nelson launched the first Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic - Concert. The three day event, held in Dripping Springs, attracted 40,000 fans and gave rise to a longstanding summer tradition. Willie's 2023 Fourth of July Picnic was the 50th Anniversary of the now-iconic occasion which was held at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Mark spoke about Willie’s friendship with Ray Charles. The video link below is Leon Russell, Willie Nelson and Ray Charles singing “A Song For You” at Willie’s 70th Birthday Concert which was in April 2003. Ray Charles was aware of having Liver Disease since Christmas 2002 and knew that he was dying. First Leon sings a verse, Willie sings a verse and Ray Charles sings the remainder of this song to his friend, Willie. If you watch this video, you can see how emotional Willie is while Ray is singing to him. You can see on Willie’s face that he is aware that his friend, Ray is dying. Watching Willie during this Performance makes me cry. Ray Charles passed away in June 2004. th-cam.com/video/2UW4ELmVD9M/w-d-xo.htmlsi=qK788ZCuQTG6hMQF
Im 65. I remember that when Stardust came out, people were shocked--a country singer doing Sinatra and other American standards. Now, i know why--he grew up on this kind of music😮
I saw Willy sometime in the late 80s at a show held at high school . Willy was going around the country trying to make a living and get the IRS satisfied. I have despised the IRS since then. Willy is a wonderful smart happy guy and I love him. He and Julio singing "To All The Girls I've Loved before" is one of my favorites before"" G
Mark - the most wonderful story teller! I’m extremely grateful for this wonderful story. I felt it all the way back to those days in the early 80s on Pace Bend Park. Willie - friend to all - nearly always seemed to be eagerly greeting people popping into the little country store. Dripping Springs is some dozen miles directly south. I think Willie’s ranch was over there by Pace Bend Park (Lake Travis) because I nearly always saw him there at the country store. Like Al Lewis (Grandpa) on Roosevelt Island, Willie was a rascal eager to greet and tease anyone and everyone dropping by the little store. There was good reason why Willie’s friends bought up his assets at the IRS liquidation auction. [Wasn't it the coach of the UT Football team that bought his ranch; then deeded it back to Willie? Or so the rumor says.] This episode really warmed my heart. Great times those early 80s in Austin, Texas. Interestingly, Hippy Hollow on Lake Travis was a time machine: living there in those days were hundreds of hippies seemingly straight from Woodstock August 1969! Where did they get the clothing? It was a time machine. I swear I saw them carrying signs saying, "Down with Nixon!" Among them were bald Hare Krishna’s out and about. Naturally, nude swimming was legal. Then came 1987: The first Californication of Texas. Hippy Hollow was cleared out by government; the number and prosecution of laws exploded; and the cost of rent and housing doubled. To be sure, after Californication the nature, culture and liberties of Central Texas changed. And that’s all I want to say about that. About the same time the nation became familiar with Yuppies and Greed became Good. Life was never the same. Yet somehow, Willie has remained the same! Thank you Mark Groubert for this and all the wonderful, wonderful stories! And thanks to Eric Hunley for sewing them together.
Marc-s excitement and information is so interesting. The term savant truly fits this once in a lifetime human being. Thank you so much for putting this together
went to Willis's 1st 4th of July annual picnic, just got out of high school & this changed my life,went from Jimi hendrix to willie nelson in that 3day event, was never the same,thank you for this show.
Robert Earl Keen mentions going to Willie's second picnic in a song when his car caught fire and his girl he went with left him great song Love Robert Earl Keen
Today's show of the life so far of Willie Nelson was the best yet . I have tried to watch all the shows of AUTStories ,over the last couple of months . A heart felt warm affectionate story beautifully told . BRAVO . js
Great show, you guys ! Untold Stories is a real gift to the internet. Now I'm gonna have to revisit Leon Russell, Bernie Taupin .... and introduce myself to country western swing.
Thank you guys, great show!🙏🏻❤️…my husband surprised me with Willy’s ‘Stardust’ album not too long ago🥰(one of my favorites)…looking forward to your Bob Dylan video.😊
4 things: I saw both Willie and Leon Russell in a little town called Boone, NC. Gibran's book "The Prophet" changed my life. Been a fan of Cayce (K See) since early 70's. Met his son Hugh Lynn in Memphis. Great gentleman. Great show. Very enjoyable.
That son of Willie's whose name you astonishingly don't know, is Lukas!! He's a star in his own right!! He has a quite well known band called "Promise of the Real"!. They started as a hard rock band, but do blues style music as well. Lukas, himself, can do ANYTHING, when it comes to singing. His range is out of this world, and he's as good at country, as he is at rock, as he is doing blues. He does sound a lot like Willie, when he does Willie's songs...only even better. And he does play guitar well, but also piano, and probably various other instruments. And he's an accomplished composer as well. And won both a BAFTA and Grammy award for the soundtrack of the most recent incarnation of "A Star Is Born", with Lady GaaGaa starring in it. He and his band were also in the movie. I guess Lukas is who you meant when you said one of sons looks just like Willie? I guess his features are sort of like Willie's...but Lukas is blond haired and has a far lighter complexion than Willie! Micah's coloring is far more similar to Willie's! Micah is a muscian, but not probably as skilled as Lukas. But Micah is also an artist (painting and drawing). So they're both crazy talented in their own ways! Oh and some years ago, Willie recorded a song written by Lukas, when Lukas was still in Elementary school. So he, too, started young like his dad! And speaking of starting young. You had me going to google when you stated early in this video that Willie played in Johnny Paycheck's band. I thought that seemed unlikely, and it was. They did both start young, but Willie was born in 1933, Johnny, not until 1938! But according to Google, they did both play together while both were still quite young in Ray Price's band! So I guess that's what you were thinking of? As for Willie's politics. I guess you could call him a Libertarian. But he played for Carter's inauguration, and I'm pretty sure it was that night, that he played up on the roof of the White House and looked at all the sights. And in the last couple of years, he's not tried to be remotely secretive or diplomatic as to how he leans. He's been very vocal in speaking out against the person who claims he didn't lose in 2020. And in at least one interview I saw, the interviewer pointed out that might not go over too well with some country fans. Willie's reply was he didn't really care how they felt about it, he feels the way he feels and they can take it or leave it. And as to country fans' politics, we're a very mixed lot, and by no means are we all redneck Conservatives. Nor are all Country musicians. A good number are Liberal. John Prine certainly was, as is Kris Kristofferson, during the later part of his career. Arlo, sure, as heck is, and of course, The Chicks, formerly Dixie Chicks, and many others! So please don't catagorize the fans or the musicians as all being of one mind, politically. We and they aren't! Also, thank you, Eric, for pointing out it was being a bit presumptious to keep saying Willie won't be around much longer. You were making me squirm when you just kept saying that!! He is old, and far more feeble, than he used to be. But as Eric pointed out he's got good genes, and he looked darn good in April. Who knows, maybe weed will keep him going longer than you think?? 😂 Anyway, I know I've been kind of critical but as someone who's been a Willie fan, since the early 70s, there just seemed to be some things you were saying that didn't seem as informed about him, as you should have been. I did learn some new things, like I'd never heard about that acid trip. But you should have at least known his Birthday, and Lukas's name. Since as I said Lukas is famous and accomplished in his own right. Anyway, you do have a new subscriber in me, and I'll be checking out some of your past videos. I'm 73, so remember JFK's assassination well, so curious to see what you've said about that! 😊
My wife and I got to see Willie with Bob Dylan up close! Williw Nelson is an American Icon! We are Blessed people! One Correction, Willie is more than country or rock n roll, Willie is Willie! God Blessed us with Willie Nelson's talent! Thank you Thank You! The Edgar Cayce A.R.E. (Association for Research and Enlightenment is in Va Beach, right here in the Commonwealth!
My late best friend and sometimes law partner dragged me to see Willie & Dylan once. (He was a huge Dylan fan.) I came away from that concert in awe of Willie Nelson.
My dear departed friend, the great Will Rivera, always made sure he sang On the Road again and Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys at our gigs. We played small venues at coffee shops for fun, tips, and the love of sharing Will's music. Willie Nelson was so right, the life he loves is making music with his friends
One of the best shows you guys have done. i will probably watch it again. I was very surprised to see a comercial on Americas Untold Stories. Again thanks for one of the best shows to date.
The first Willie song I remember hearing as a kid was "City of New Orleans". It had a profound effect on me and I memorized it front to back. Thanks for the episode. You guys do a fantastic job with these stories! ✌️
They mentioned Pink Houses by Mellencamp .... 19 years ago I had a surreal experience while that song was on my car radio arriving at work. I'd bought a Starbucks ... and I just could not make myself go in the building (a nursing home, i was a therapist). Never had that occurred. Across the way was an old homestead house being renovated from pink stucco to what was becoming a hospice coffee shop. I'd just stand at my car door ... open ... with Pink House's playing, staring at the pink house being classed up. Unaware inside one of the building administrators was in a mental health crisis and acting out in a very disturbed way. A hospice social worker drove in and saw me ... looking, coffee, in this surreal bubble and we walked in together. Where the manic manager tackled me with weirdness before anyone coukd warn me what was going on. Within a month I'd be working over on the campus with the renovations ..... It's amazing what power certain songs can have. Up til then it was just a fun song .... now it is part of my intuitive awakening.
Abbie Hoffman ( Barry Freed), lived 15 minutes away from me in Fineview while hiding out from the govt lol. I know this is about Willie, but I just had a chuckle when u mentioned him. Barbara WaWa had a hell of a time getting to his place while blindfolded in a boat on the st Lawrence river. God bless Willie. Legend. Started Austin City Limits the greatest show on tv still today. Started as an outdoor jam fest in a small park enclosed in a picket fence. Roll me up and smoke me when I die “ Of course brokeback mountain is a funny sone too. How can anyone not love the man? I’m watching the R N R HOF program after this! Thanks Mark !
@@AmericasUntoldStories I just saw this and I’m going to right now. Bet it’s excellent like the rest. The locals over there in the Bay claim he always had the best “ head gear “ around lol. He intermingled with the small community er well jeez, you know, duh! This area was once a destination point for the mega wealthy from nyc, Philly etc. thousand islands. Sone serious homes/ hotels just magnificent bacj then, just the fire dept sucked back then, you know, the kind with a horse. Anyway some of those gorgeous timber structures, you could freakin wink at em they’d catch fire. Yep pretty bad. Time gone by the industrial age. Even Napoleon and his bro hid out in the area when they were after their asses. Went from a gorgeous home on the at Lawrence to a cave in natural bridge Ny. Yikes. Thanks Mark! I LOVED the Willie show! Austin city limits has had sone of the best performances from bands I’ve ever seen or heard. Man, imagine hangin out with those guys inside that picket fence drinkin draft beers and taking it all in. Keep ‘Em comin Mark
I absolutely loved watching Munk … very unique show, entertaining and, fun. I was never a fan of Willie and country/folk/rock in my teens/twenties but always had respect for him. I was too CA cool, and into blues-rock. I’ve come to really appreciate him as I’ve grown older…
He headlined Telluride Brews and Blues about a dozen years ago, 2012, I think. It brought a whole other dimension of attendees. I had been like you in my regard for him and did not until that show realize how popular he was among the youngsters.
God has blessed me with the insane ability to be at historic events my whole life. Even before I was a reporter. For instance, at the age of 13 I was at the Woodstock Music Festival. The list is endless. God blessed. @@flouisbailey
Marty Stuart had Ray Price on his show, shortly before he died. It is my favorite Fabulous Superlatives episode. Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys were the swing influence for Asleep at the Wheel and other swing revival bands. Junior Barnard was Bob Wills guitar player for a few years. He is noted for his swing licks. Fat Boy Rag is a good example of his playing. It’s Dan Erlewine doing the maintenance on Trigger. That episode can be found on YT, he is with Stewart MacDonald, one of my favorite suppliers for parts. Leon Russell was a wrecking crew member.
Willie was chivalrous and had great social skills. I met him on a movie set as an extra for Honey Suckle Rose. Some girl had money stolen from her wallet, and when he heard about it, he replaced the stolen money. He was very kind. It was a delight to meet him.
During Willies' tax problems, the IRS told him they'd leave his Spreckelsburg home (Maui) alone and so he spent a lot of time there hanging out at Charley Woofers Saloon in Paia. (Charley was Jim Fullers great Dane, Jim was a friend of Willies, Kimo was Willies' security and Tomas took care of Willies pot needs. Charleys was one big happy family). While on the island, Willie would do a concert for the general public over in Lahaina and another smaller more intimate show at the Makawao rodeo grounds for us locals. Willie was always gracious and would make ones' "starstruck" feelings in his presence disappear.
Been saving this episode until I was in just the right mood. I knew the mood was right when I recalled how the son of a friend loved a certain lyric when he was a little boy - "Shotgun Willie sits around in his underwear. Biting on a bullet and pulling out all of his hair." Beautiful homage to one of our greatest Texans. Thanks pardner!
Great Show - Loved the Passion ! I am a metal head but respect Willie Nelson highly! Plus my Dad likes him. I had mentioned in chat on the live show that on Miami Vice Willie Nelson actually played a retired Texas Ranger... who was rogue undercover. Actually Willie Nelson was a Great actor !!!
Kinky's worth at least half a show 😉In hill country for his memorial, a local guy said that I "shouldn't even know who he is.. he's from back thar in the hills -- like Rasputin." ...some spiritual thing going on there.... Nice jacket Groubert .. string tie & shitkickers to follow?
Glen Campbell brought Willie Nelson The Jimmy Webb Highwayman song that Glen had first recoded in 1978 for Capitol Records. Glen pitched that they all take each of the four parts. Glen did the whole guitar arrangement of the song for them and filled in for Kris Kristofferson at the 85 Farm Aid Show for The Highwaymen.
when I was a little kid I told my Dad I was gonna marry Delta Dawn - He said - "You're gonna have to learn how to play that guitar a little better ! A whole lot better !"
@lordbuckley I still have my Honeysuckle Rose album. GREAT movie. I saw his son Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real at a music festival a few years ago. He and his band plays Bradley Cooper's band in the most recent incarnation of A Star Is Born.
Dan Erlewine who works for StewMac and has done work on Trigger is an old pal of Bill Kirchen's and they have known each other since about 1960. There is a YT video of them talking about Telecaster guitars. Two great guys.
Im ashamed to say I have never seen Willie perform, although I am a fan and been a Texas resident since the mid 70s. BTW I saw Leon Russell at the Filmore East sometime between 1968/69. I think Joe Cocker was the vocalist for the band but I don't remember the name of the band. Great show as usual. i
It was good that Willie took his lead from Bob Wills rather than Spade Cooley. Roger Miller and Willie Nelson were in Ray Price's band the Cherokee Cowboys at the same time. Roger Miller said of Willie that he" flushes to the beat of a different plumber." So many talented guys working in the same musical proximity and doing amazing things.
Happy to say I have a CD which is a various artists collection for The Passion of the Christ. Mel Gibson worked with Lian Lunson to produce this. The lead off song is Leon Russell and Don Preston's Stranger in a Strange Land. Thought that was very appropriate
Willie has , since the early 1960s - has lived a very charmed life - he was making in excess of $100,000 off of his songwriting alone - Willie wrote for several popular singers who recorded songs that weren't classics but they received different levels of radio play and on the albums themselves - Willie , when he quit smoking in the 80s got on a health kick and he was bench pressing over 200lbs regularly in his 50s - he is also trained in martial arts - Willie is extremely smart - he loves technology and along with Ray Charles were among the first to have computer systems - this was an area they bonded - anyhow I loved Billy Joe Shaver too - and Townes - and Guy Clark....
At the end of 1936, Basie and his band, now billed as Count Basie and His Barons of Rhythm, moved from Kansas City to CHICAGO, where they honed their repertoire at a long engagement at the Grand Terrace Cafe.[29] Right from the start, Basie's band was known for its rhythm section. Another Basie innovation was the use of two tenor saxophone players; at the time, most bands had just one. When Young complained of Herschel Evans' vibrato, Basie placed them on either side of the alto players, and soon had the tenor players engaged in "duels". Many other bands later adapted the split tenor arrangement.[30]
In that city (CHICAGO) in October 1936, the band had a recording session which the producer John Hammond later described as "the only perfect, completely perfect recording session I've ever had anything to do with".[31] Hammond first heard Basie's band on the radio and went to Kansas City to check them out.[32] He invited them to record, in performances which were Lester Young's earliest recordings. Those four sides were released on Vocalion Records under the band name of Jones-Smith Incorporated; the sides were "Shoe Shine Boy", "Evening", "Boogie Woogie", and "Oh Lady Be Good". After Vocalion became a subsidiary of Columbia Records in 1938, "Boogie Woogie" was released in 1941 as part of a four-record compilation album entitled Boogie Woogie (Columbia album C44).[33] When he made the Vocalion recordings, Basie had already signed with Decca Records, but did not have his first recording session with them until January 1937.
Basie was actually from Jersey and began his career in Kansas City, but I suggest his "musical" home was Chicago. I know this goes against conventional wisdom but I am sticking with it. Bob Wills in Fort Worth, Basie in Chicago and Ellington in NYC were all linked together in the collective unconsciousness of swing. Enjoy.
There's a missing Texas link here: Eddie Durham who was raised in the outback of Texas (San Marcos). His mom was a Native American. His dad was black, Irish, and Mexican and he grew up as a full-fledged cowboy and spoke Spanish only until he was a teenager. He was the music director for Count Basie and lots of other bands (wrote the arrangement for "In the Mood" for which is was paid $5) Among other things, he helped invented the electric guitar.
Cool, never heard of him. gonna look into it. But when you're down in Texas Bob Wills is still the king. lol @@kenmccarthy9037
I’ve listened to Willie for 55 years I have all his music on 33lp even now cds! Best ballad singer ever!
At my grandma's, Father came in from Dallas, took a shower as we were all going out to eat. Time of the Preacher was on the Radio. Complained to my Granny that she would not let me listen to it. She said with a smile, "it's not the radio". It was my father playing the piano and singing. He was a child prodigy who could play any percussion, including piano, anything wind, guitar, and accordion. Mom met him playing the southern bar circuit in the early sixties, so he knew CD, Elvin Bishop, etc, His name is Dwayne C. Price, for anyone who has ever saw him play, but his forte is Willie Nelson.
The enthusiasm that Mark tells this Willie story is contagious 👍🏼🇺🇸👍🏼 Thanks Gents
Definitely need to have a Willie Nelson holiday here in America. Willie is a National Treasure.
Think they gave him 4/20...
I heard Willie at a college concert around 1980. After the show, he stood around and talked to the students. Super nice guy!
Mark & Eric,
Thank you for another Great Show! I found the “America’ Untold Stories” Channel in June 2023. The first show that I watched was “Ladies of LBJ” which is what got me hooked on this Channel. I spent my free time last summer watcing the Shows that I had not seen before. Now I look forward to Tuesdays and Fridays knowing that you will be having a Live Podcast. All of the different subject matter that you have presented is quite interesting including today’s show about Willie Nelson (National Treasure)!
Willie Nelson’s Birthday is April 29, 1923. The only reason that I know this is because my younger brother’s Birthday is on April 29th.
In 1973, Willie Nelson launched the first Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic - Concert. The three day event, held in Dripping Springs, attracted 40,000 fans and gave rise to a longstanding summer tradition.
Willie's 2023 Fourth of July Picnic was the 50th Anniversary of the now-iconic occasion which was held at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.
Mark spoke about Willie’s friendship with Ray Charles. The video link below is Leon Russell, Willie Nelson and Ray Charles singing “A Song For You” at Willie’s 70th Birthday Concert which was in April 2003. Ray Charles was aware of having Liver Disease since Christmas 2002 and knew that he was dying. First Leon sings a verse, Willie sings a verse and Ray Charles sings the remainder of this song to his friend, Willie. If you watch this video, you can see how emotional Willie is while Ray is singing to him. You can see on Willie’s face that he is aware that his friend, Ray is dying. Watching Willie during this Performance makes me cry. Ray Charles passed away in June 2004.
th-cam.com/video/2UW4ELmVD9M/w-d-xo.htmlsi=qK788ZCuQTG6hMQF
Yes. Thank u. I was referring to that show with ray. Very emotional
And of course the iconic song Willie and Ray sang together, "Seven Spanish Angels", one of the countless duets Willie did!
Can’t begin to tell you both how much I enjoy America’s Untold Stories! Keep those fascinating stories coming!❤
Im 65. I remember that when Stardust came out, people were shocked--a country singer doing Sinatra and other American standards. Now, i know why--he grew up on this kind of music😮
I saw Willy sometime in the late 80s at a show held at high school . Willy was going around the country trying to make a living and get the IRS satisfied. I have despised the IRS since then. Willy is a wonderful smart happy guy and I love him. He and Julio singing "To All The Girls I've Loved before" is one of my favorites before""
G
Mark - the most wonderful story teller! I’m extremely grateful for this wonderful story. I felt it all the way back to those days in the early 80s on Pace Bend Park. Willie - friend to all - nearly always seemed to be eagerly greeting people popping into the little country store. Dripping Springs is some dozen miles directly south.
I think Willie’s ranch was over there by Pace Bend Park (Lake Travis) because I nearly always saw him there at the country store. Like Al Lewis (Grandpa) on Roosevelt Island, Willie was a rascal eager to greet and tease anyone and everyone dropping by the little store. There was good reason why Willie’s friends bought up his assets at the IRS liquidation auction. [Wasn't it the coach of the UT Football team that bought his ranch; then deeded it back to Willie? Or so the rumor says.]
This episode really warmed my heart. Great times those early 80s in Austin, Texas. Interestingly, Hippy Hollow on Lake Travis was a time machine: living there in those days were hundreds of hippies seemingly straight from Woodstock August 1969! Where did they get the clothing? It was a time machine. I swear I saw them carrying signs saying, "Down with Nixon!" Among them were bald Hare Krishna’s out and about. Naturally, nude swimming was legal.
Then came 1987: The first Californication of Texas. Hippy Hollow was cleared out by government; the number and prosecution of laws exploded; and the cost of rent and housing doubled. To be sure, after Californication the nature, culture and liberties of Central Texas changed. And that’s all I want to say about that. About the same time the nation became familiar with Yuppies and Greed became Good. Life was never the same. Yet somehow, Willie has remained the same!
Thank you Mark Groubert for this and all the wonderful, wonderful stories! And thanks to Eric Hunley for sewing them together.
Fabulous comment!
@@mardyross2838 I am grateful for your kind words
Marc-s excitement and information is so interesting. The term savant truly fits this once in a lifetime human being. Thank you so much for putting this together
Glad you enjoyed it!
went to Willis's 1st 4th of July annual picnic, just got out of high school & this changed my life,went from Jimi hendrix to willie nelson in that 3day event, was never the same,thank you for this show.
is this Robert Earl Keen
Robert Earl Keen mentions going to Willie's second picnic in a song when his car caught fire and his girl he went with left him great song Love Robert Earl Keen
Today's show of the life so far of Willie Nelson was the best yet . I have tried to watch all the shows of AUTStories ,over the last couple of months . A heart felt warm affectionate story beautifully told . BRAVO .
js
Long time subscriber. BEST EPISODE EVER! Thank you, Eric & thanks for your captivating stories, Mark. ❤
Mark is a great story teller with many life experiences.
Among the best channels on TH-cam without a doubt.
Yes, agree Willie Nelson is one special American muisician! Thank you for sharing!
Great show, you guys ! Untold Stories is a real gift to the internet. Now I'm gonna have to revisit Leon Russell, Bernie Taupin .... and introduce myself to country western swing.
LOVE WILLIE & was fortunate enough to be at his 90th Birthday Concert. Was AMAZING!!!!
Thank you guys, great show!🙏🏻❤️…my husband surprised me with Willy’s ‘Stardust’ album not too long ago🥰(one of my favorites)…looking forward to your Bob Dylan video.😊
What a great show!!! Mark can really tell a story. I'm a big Willie Nelson fan and never knew most of this.
Do we like it?? What?? This is among the greatest of All your Untold American Stories! Thanks Mucho
4 things: I saw both Willie and Leon Russell in a little town called Boone, NC. Gibran's book "The Prophet" changed my life. Been a fan of Cayce (K See) since early 70's. Met his son Hugh Lynn in Memphis. Great gentleman. Great show. Very enjoyable.
That son of Willie's whose name you astonishingly don't know, is Lukas!! He's a star in his own right!! He has a quite well known band called "Promise of the Real"!. They started as a hard rock band, but do blues style music as well. Lukas, himself, can do ANYTHING, when it comes to singing. His range is out of this world, and he's as good at country, as he is at rock, as he is doing blues. He does sound a lot like Willie, when he does Willie's songs...only even better. And he does play guitar well, but also piano, and probably various other instruments. And he's an accomplished composer as well. And won both a BAFTA and Grammy award for the soundtrack of the most recent incarnation of "A Star Is Born", with Lady GaaGaa starring in it. He and his band were also in the movie. I guess Lukas is who you meant when you said one of sons looks just like Willie? I guess his features are sort of like Willie's...but Lukas is blond haired and has a far lighter complexion than Willie! Micah's coloring is far more similar to Willie's! Micah is a muscian, but not probably as skilled as Lukas. But Micah is also an artist (painting and drawing). So they're both crazy talented in their own ways! Oh and some years ago, Willie recorded a song written by Lukas, when Lukas was still in Elementary school. So he, too, started young like his dad! And speaking of starting young. You had me going to google when you stated early in this video that Willie played in Johnny Paycheck's band. I thought that seemed unlikely, and it was. They did both start young, but Willie was born in 1933, Johnny, not until 1938! But according to Google, they did both play together while both were still quite young in Ray Price's band! So I guess that's what you were thinking of? As for Willie's politics. I guess you could call him a Libertarian. But he played for Carter's inauguration, and I'm pretty sure it was that night, that he played up on the roof of the White House and looked at all the sights. And in the last couple of years, he's not tried to be remotely secretive or diplomatic as to how he leans. He's been very vocal in speaking out against the person who claims he didn't lose in 2020. And in at least one interview I saw, the interviewer pointed out that might not go over too well with some country fans. Willie's reply was he didn't really care how they felt about it, he feels the way he feels and they can take it or leave it. And as to country fans' politics, we're a very mixed lot, and by no means are we all redneck Conservatives. Nor are all Country musicians. A good number are Liberal. John Prine certainly was, as is Kris Kristofferson, during the later part of his career. Arlo, sure, as heck is, and of course, The Chicks, formerly Dixie Chicks, and many others! So please don't catagorize the fans or the musicians as all being of one mind, politically. We and they aren't! Also, thank you, Eric, for pointing out it was being a bit presumptious to keep saying Willie won't be around much longer. You were making me squirm when you just kept saying that!! He is old, and far more feeble, than he used to be. But as Eric pointed out he's got good genes, and he looked darn good in April. Who knows, maybe weed will keep him going longer than you think?? 😂 Anyway, I know I've been kind of critical but as someone who's been a Willie fan, since the early 70s, there just seemed to be some things you were saying that didn't seem as informed about him, as you should have been. I did learn some new things, like I'd never heard about that acid trip. But you should have at least known his Birthday, and Lukas's name. Since as I said Lukas is famous and accomplished in his own right. Anyway, you do have a new subscriber in me, and I'll be checking out some of your past videos. I'm 73, so remember JFK's assassination well, so curious to see what you've said about that! 😊
Outstanding episode. A GREAT AMERICAN STORY
My wife and I got to see Willie with Bob Dylan up close! Williw Nelson is an American Icon! We are Blessed people! One Correction, Willie is more than country or rock n roll, Willie is Willie! God Blessed us with Willie Nelson's talent! Thank you Thank You! The Edgar Cayce A.R.E. (Association for Research and Enlightenment is in Va Beach, right here in the Commonwealth!
My late best friend and sometimes law partner dragged me to see Willie & Dylan once. (He was a huge Dylan fan.)
I came away from that concert in awe of Willie Nelson.
My dear departed friend, the great Will Rivera, always made sure he sang On the Road again and Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys at our gigs. We played small venues at coffee shops for fun, tips, and the love of sharing Will's music. Willie Nelson was so right, the life he loves is making music with his friends
One of the best shows you guys have done. i will probably watch it again. I was very surprised to see a comercial on Americas Untold Stories. Again thanks for one of the best shows to date.
I agree,... outstanding !
The first Willie song I remember hearing as a kid was "City of New Orleans". It had a profound effect on me and I memorized it front to back.
Thanks for the episode. You guys do a fantastic job with these stories! ✌️
They mentioned Pink Houses by Mellencamp .... 19 years ago I had a surreal experience while that song was on my car radio arriving at work. I'd bought a Starbucks ... and I just could not make myself go in the building (a nursing home, i was a therapist). Never had that occurred.
Across the way was an old homestead house being renovated from pink stucco to what was becoming a hospice coffee shop.
I'd just stand at my car door ... open ... with Pink House's playing, staring at the pink house being classed up. Unaware inside one of the building administrators was in a mental health crisis and acting out in a very disturbed way.
A hospice social worker drove in and saw me ... looking, coffee, in this surreal bubble and we walked in together. Where the manic manager tackled me with weirdness before anyone coukd warn me what was going on.
Within a month I'd be working over on the campus with the renovations .....
It's amazing what power certain songs can have. Up til then it was just a fun song .... now it is part of my intuitive awakening.
he does a great job singing covers - He recorded "since I put your picture in a frame" - I've learned it on my guitar - it's trickier than it looks
@@mardyross2838 music transcends - I love playing and singing songs - it's a good feeling when you know you sing a song and people respond -
This story brought me back to my days of loving Willy, I still do thank you😊
When I first saw Willies Nelson, I was like, "Huh?" But Mark never ceases to surprise me. Another very interesting story.
Thought I was nothing, didn't you? lol Thanks so much. Labor of love.
Mark did take a few breaths in the show. He did not want to leave Luck, fabulous story teller. Second cut on first side.
I have a respiratory thing going on. Dealing with it. Thank you so much.
Great show. So interesting. Grew up with Willie but didn't know much about him. Amazing talent.
Saw this legend live 41 years ago in Michigan. Fabulous show again chaps.
Willie wrote 25 Number 1 hits
Abbie Hoffman ( Barry Freed), lived 15 minutes away from me in Fineview while hiding out from the govt lol. I know this is about Willie, but I just had a chuckle when u mentioned him. Barbara WaWa had a hell of a time getting to his place while blindfolded in a boat on the st Lawrence river.
God bless Willie.
Legend.
Started Austin City Limits the greatest show on tv still today. Started as an outdoor jam fest in a small park enclosed in a picket fence.
Roll me up and smoke me when I die “
Of course brokeback mountain is a funny sone too.
How can anyone not love the man?
I’m watching the R N R HOF program after this! Thanks Mark !
Need to add this is my new favorite show!
Check out my Abbie Hoffman episode
@@AmericasUntoldStories I just saw this and I’m going to right now. Bet it’s excellent like the rest.
The locals over there in the Bay claim he always had the best “ head gear “ around lol.
He intermingled with the small community er well jeez, you know, duh!
This area was once a destination point for the mega wealthy from nyc, Philly etc.
thousand islands. Sone serious homes/ hotels just magnificent bacj then, just the fire dept sucked back then, you know, the kind with a horse.
Anyway some of those gorgeous timber structures, you could freakin wink at em they’d catch fire. Yep pretty bad.
Time gone by the industrial age. Even Napoleon and his bro hid out in the area when they were after their asses.
Went from a gorgeous home on the at Lawrence to a cave in natural bridge Ny.
Yikes.
Thanks Mark! I LOVED the Willie show!
Austin city limits has had sone of the best performances from bands I’ve ever seen or heard. Man, imagine hangin out with those guys inside that picket fence drinkin draft beers and taking it all in.
Keep ‘Em comin Mark
What a great show. You never disappoint.
I absolutely loved watching Munk … very unique show, entertaining and, fun.
I was never a fan of Willie and country/folk/rock in my teens/twenties but always had respect for him. I was too CA cool, and into blues-rock.
I’ve come to really appreciate him as I’ve grown older…
He headlined Telluride Brews and Blues about a dozen years ago, 2012, I think.
It brought a whole other dimension of attendees. I had been like you in my regard for him and did not until that show realize how popular he was among the youngsters.
Awesome show... really enjoy you both...love Willie Nelson ❤️
Mark, you’re so interesting and know so much about all kinds of stuff. I’d love to hear you tell your own story.
Lots of videos of my own stuff on site. Have a look.
@@AmericasUntoldStories
Mark is a real life Forest Gump only smart, always in right spot.
God has blessed me with the insane ability to be at historic events my whole life. Even before I was a reporter. For instance, at the age of 13 I was at the Woodstock Music Festival. The list is endless. God blessed. @@flouisbailey
I was a waiter at a big event once in NYC.. At my table was Willie, Ahmet Ertegan, BB King, Eric Clapton, and Ray Charles.
Wow! Wish I was a fly in the soup for that one.
Marty Stuart had Ray Price on his show, shortly before he died. It is my favorite Fabulous Superlatives episode. Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys were the swing influence for Asleep at the Wheel and other swing revival bands. Junior Barnard was Bob Wills guitar player for a few years. He is noted for his swing licks. Fat Boy Rag is a good example of his playing.
It’s Dan Erlewine doing the maintenance on Trigger. That episode can be found on YT, he is with Stewart MacDonald, one of my favorite suppliers for parts. Leon Russell was a wrecking crew member.
Don't forget Jerry Jeff Walker, David Allen COE, Townes Van Zandt, Merle Watson. Etc
Willie was chivalrous and had great social skills. I met him on a movie set as an extra for Honey Suckle Rose. Some girl had money stolen from her wallet, and when he heard about it, he replaced the stolen money. He was very kind. It was a delight to meet him.
During Willies' tax problems, the IRS told him they'd leave his Spreckelsburg home (Maui) alone and so he spent a lot of time there hanging out at Charley Woofers Saloon in Paia. (Charley was Jim Fullers great Dane, Jim was a friend of Willies, Kimo was Willies' security and Tomas took care of Willies pot needs. Charleys was one big happy family). While on the island, Willie would do a concert for the general public over in Lahaina and another smaller more intimate show at the Makawao rodeo grounds for us locals. Willie was always gracious and would make ones' "starstruck" feelings in his presence disappear.
Been saving this episode until I was in just the right mood. I knew the mood was right when I recalled how the son of a friend loved a certain lyric when he was a little boy - "Shotgun Willie sits around in his underwear. Biting on a bullet and pulling out all of his hair."
Beautiful homage to one of our greatest Texans. Thanks pardner!
Never heard of Groubert in my life, but I thought I'd heard every Willie story. Real interesting listen.
never heard of green monday
@@AmericasUntoldStories you guys have an email?
Binging on Monk....Thank you for sharing that story, Mark! Your jacket is beautiful.
Thanks Renata!
Mark outstanding show! Love Willie Nelson Music!
GREAT SHOW!!!!
Mark, your range is fantastic Willie's politics spoils it for me. But what a fascinating life. Thank you.
Another great show, thank you.
Great Show - Loved the Passion ! I am a metal head but respect Willie Nelson highly! Plus my Dad likes him. I had mentioned in chat on the live show that on Miami Vice Willie Nelson actually played a retired Texas Ranger... who was rogue undercover. Actually Willie Nelson was a Great actor !!!
This was AWESOME to listen to on my way from Vegas to the Port of Long Beach.
Thank you!
When Mark snort-giggles, you know the stories getting good.
I had the wrong impression of Willie Nelson Mark just made me fall in love with him and his music!
Point of the show
Smoking and drinking and celebrating his 90th birthday. Crazy. 💯🙏🇺🇸
My friend’s grandparents came to the USA through Texas from Czechoslovakia.
I got free tickets to see Willy Nelson/Waylon Jennings at the Minnesota State Fair in 1983, several people in the audience were OPENLY doing Blow!!
Great show gentlemen!
Great episode! 2 things pop out about Willie to me. 1. The IRS tapes 2. Willie playing an old Texas Ranger on Miami Vice. Quite a guy!
Kinky's worth at least half a show 😉In hill country for his memorial, a local guy said that I "shouldn't even know who he is.. he's from back thar in the hills -- like Rasputin."
...some spiritual thing going on there....
Nice jacket Groubert .. string tie & shitkickers to follow?
I love Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. Had forgotten about them for a while, but they're great.
I heard that the guy who took him up to the roof to smoke a joint was Jimmy, Carter’s son. Anyway, this is fascinating. Love the podcast.
Glen Campbell brought Willie Nelson The Jimmy Webb Highwayman song that Glen had first recoded in 1978 for Capitol Records. Glen pitched that they all take each of the four parts. Glen did the whole guitar arrangement of the song for them and filled in for Kris Kristofferson at the 85 Farm Aid Show for The Highwaymen.
There was another group called The Highwaymen who sued them for using the name. Lost in court.
when I was a little kid I told my Dad I was gonna marry Delta Dawn - He said - "You're gonna have to learn how to play that guitar a little better !
A whole lot better !"
Glen was the best guitar picker I ever see
Enjoyed this! Willie should be added to Rushmore due to his importance to this nation. Nobody better!
“He (Willie) will be the First to Tell You, Bob Wills is Still the King”!
Loved this one on Nelson!
When do we get the Dylan episode? This one is long overdue. Thanks for all the great content.
On by the way I really like the western outfit Mark has on.Good show and thank you both.
Fantastic show
@lordbuckley I still have my Honeysuckle Rose album. GREAT movie. I saw his son Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real at a music festival a few years ago. He and his band plays Bradley Cooper's band in the most recent incarnation of A Star Is Born.
Have to get that!
No one can tell a story as well as Mark. Super video
1985 one of the best years from the 80s. 😊. I miss the freedom's we still enjoyed at the time.
Mark is amazing.
Django Reinhardt! Mark, you are hitting all the right buttons
Great show and story as always!!! Are you going to do a show about the blues and it’s influences on music?
I just received today the Django Reinhart & Stephane Grapelli CD i ordered last week. Funny you should mention them tonight.
Great show guys keep it up
Dan Erlewine who works for StewMac and has done work on Trigger is an old pal of Bill Kirchen's and they have known each other since about 1960. There is a YT video of them talking about Telecaster guitars. Two great guys.
A surprise topic guys, loved it👍🏻
Yeah pulled it out of my ass due to Willie's birthday.
Fantastic show about a fantastic artist. Happy New Year!
Willie is my grandfather's cousin. They were friends when they were younger. My grandpa became a pastor. Willie went a different direction.
Way to start 2024 off right. Bravo 👏 👏
Just had to stop to listen to Pancho and Lefty (Willy with Merle Haggard). His duets are awesome 👍
Love you both!
Im ashamed to say I have never seen Willie perform, although I am a fan and been a Texas resident since the mid 70s. BTW I saw Leon Russell at the Filmore East sometime between 1968/69. I think Joe Cocker was the vocalist for the band but I don't remember the name of the band. Great show as usual.
i
My favorite Willie Nelson Lps, Stardust and Red Headed Stranger
Everyone must find a way to medicate the pain of this life.
Tumbleweed Connection, I believe it is one of Elton John's finest. He couldn't have done it without Bernie Taupin
Just watched Red Headed Stranger on TH-cam. Great film, especially in context of your podcast. Thankyou! 🙏🏻👹
Glad you enjoyed it!
It was good that Willie took his lead from Bob Wills rather than Spade Cooley. Roger Miller and Willie Nelson were in Ray Price's band the Cherokee Cowboys at the same time. Roger Miller said of Willie that he" flushes to the beat of a different plumber." So many talented guys working in the same musical proximity and doing amazing things.
“Dripping” is indeed west of Austin. LBJ Ranch another 30 miles west of
"Roll me up and smoke me when I die." Willie Nelson
If Keef Richards is around it could happen
Happy to say I have a CD which is a various artists collection for The Passion of the Christ. Mel Gibson worked with Lian Lunson to produce this. The lead off song is Leon Russell and Don Preston's Stranger in a Strange Land. Thought that was very appropriate
Ray Price and Willie have a Mo. connection too 🥰
Willie Nelson and me share the same birthday. Happy New Year 2024.
And Jerry Seinfeld
Proudly share B day with you guys along with the late great Dale Earnhardt .
@@ToyInsanity No his is April 29.
Thanks!
Welcome!
Saw him Dylan n Mellencamp 6 times on the minor league ballpark tour....Freakin Pancho n Lefty....awesome
Willie has , since the early 1960s - has lived a very charmed life - he was making in excess of $100,000 off of his songwriting alone - Willie wrote for several popular singers who recorded songs that weren't classics but they received different levels of radio play and on the albums themselves -
Willie , when he quit smoking in the 80s got on a health kick and he was bench pressing over 200lbs regularly in his 50s - he is also trained in martial arts - Willie is extremely smart - he loves technology and along with Ray Charles were among the first to have computer systems - this was an area they bonded - anyhow I loved Billy Joe Shaver too - and Townes - and Guy Clark....