Happy 91st Birthday, Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson Was Born April 29, 1933

Who among us isn’t a fan of Willie Nelson, the grizzled American country singer, guitarist and songwriter? Granted, there are varying degrees of fandom. I’m kind of off the charts.

I don’t stalk him, but I have knocked on his bus, like a silly schoolgirl, and am not afraid to admit it.(Not exactly sure what I would have done if he’d come out.)  I get excited at the mere sight of his tour bus. 

I’ve seen him in concert at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio; Alberta Bair Theater in Billings, Mont.; and at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert. There is nothing like the first time. The minute he walked on stage I felt an energy course through my body. It was unforgettable.

I’ve had the chance to see him again but declined. Hope I won’t regret it. As he gets older, his voice isn’t as strong as it once was. I want to remember him at his best. Is that fair?  I don’t know, but it is what I choose.  I have a library filled with his music and souvenir T-shirts. (Yes, I did that.)

I was told a music critic acquaintance of mine that I had every album Willie ever recorded. He told me that wasn’t possible. I argued with him. I was certain I was correct. Turns out that while I have my fair share of Willie albums and CDs, I do not have every one of them.

According to Wikipedia, Nelson’s discography includes 100 studio albums (consisting of 74 solo studio albums and 26 collaborative studio albums), 14 live albums, 51 compilation albums and 41 video albums as well as the soundtracks of The Electric Horseman and Honeysuckle Rose.

His albums have been successful in many countries, especially New Zealand, Australia and some European countries. Nelson has sold more than 40 million albums in the United States alone.

Nope, I don’t have every one of them, but I am thrilled with what I have.

Happy Birthday, Willie!