Wild and Willie: Texas icon brings the outlaw and legend to music festival

Country legend Willie Nelson finishes his set at Saturday’s Outlaws & Legends Music Festival. Willie played many of his most famous songs and thrilled a large crowd at the Back Porch of Texas.
Country legend Willie Nelson finishes his set at Saturday’s Outlaws & Legends Music Festival. Willie played many of his most famous songs and thrilled a large crowd at the Back Porch of Texas.

Stony LaRue and other artists proved to be accurate weathermen Saturday.

What a wonderful day for an outdoor musical festival, he said during his early evening set.

As West Texas spring days go, it was darn near perfect.

Well, except for a bit of wind taking hold of a large orange sun umbrella and sending it spinning into the crowd. No one was hurt but made a quick check to make their umbrellas wasn't going anywhere.

And when the sun set, it got better as, without fanfare, Willie Nelson ambled on stage. With help from his band, he unholstered Trigger - his one-of-a-kind guitar - from its stand and to raucous cheers took a seat on the Back Porch of Texas. Smiling, he said thanked fans for coming and launched into "Whiskey River."

Three years of waiting was over.

Willie, scheduled to play in 2020, came to the Outlaws & Legends Music Festival at last.

The iconic Texas singer, who will be 90 later this month, still has game. He cannot sing like he once did, often letting the audience help him. But he played the heck out of Trigger, and when he smiled, the appreciative audience knew Willie was doing what Willie loves to do.

Willie Nelson strums his well-worn guitar, Trigger. Though almost 90, his dexterity and strong playing wowed fans.
Willie Nelson strums his well-worn guitar, Trigger. Though almost 90, his dexterity and strong playing wowed fans.

Guitars in tune still is one of the only two things in life that make it worth living.

Willie started the show wearing a cowboy hat, but he took it off to reveal his long, braided hair wrapped by a bandanna saying "Willie Nelson."

He whisked through the songs fans knew by heart, stopping now and then to thank the crowd for its applause.

"I hear you," he said, smiling. "Thank you."

"Mamas," he led, before the crowd sang, "don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys."

Willie Nelson cups his ear to encourage fans to sing with him during his performance Saturday night at the Outlaws & Legends Music Festival. Willie, almost 90 and with breathing issues, performed seated and spoke-sang many of his songs. His fans didn't mind at all.
Willie Nelson cups his ear to encourage fans to sing with him during his performance Saturday night at the Outlaws & Legends Music Festival. Willie, almost 90 and with breathing issues, performed seated and spoke-sang many of his songs. His fans didn't mind at all.

Soon enough, he got to "On the Road Again," which he recently has been singing on the Capital One commercial during coverage of March Madness.

Oh, did you know that also was going on Saturday?

Not many at the 12th annual event, which seemed to draw its largest crowd ever Saturday, cared too much. No scores were announced.

Some forgot, too, what day it was.

A radio show host in between acts said Willie had arrived the night before and showed up at the after-concert music event that featured Gary P. Nunn.

Leslie Richards of San Angelo came dressed as Willie. Security almost allowed her on stage to sing. April 1 2023
Leslie Richards of San Angelo came dressed as Willie. Security almost allowed her on stage to sing. April 1 2023

Many in the crowd groaned, not having gone.

"April Fool's," the radio guy said.

Fortunately, nothing was thrown at him.

Music fans came for a well-rounded day of entertainment. Some said Kin Faux was the best. Others liked Dale Watson and his boogie-woogie from Marshall. He was a lot of fun, sipping Lone Star beer donated by a fan along the way. His band is the Lonestars.

Del Rio's William Beckmann pulled off a Chris Issak sound-alike, and Exile exceeded expectations. Celebrating 60 years, their harmonies contrasted to the guitar-driven acts around them.

They, of course, played their monster 1970s pop hit "Kiss You All Over" but they covered their songs made hits by others, including "Take Me Down" and "The Closer You Get" - No. 1 hits by Alabama. But not many fans knew they wrote "Heart and Soul," the No. 1 pop hit by Huey Lewis & the News. Les Taylor sang it, and he sounded just like Lewis. Or Lewis sounds like him.

Kevin Fowler got a rowdy crowd even rowdier during his set Saturday evening.
Kevin Fowler got a rowdy crowd even rowdier during his set Saturday evening.

LaRue and musical group brought the show into the evening, and the place erupted when Kevin Fowler came on. An Outlaws favorite, he took the stage spraying beer, and later would get sprayed in return. He did not care.

Of course, Fowler, who has a way with words, sang "Don't Touch My Willie." It's a tribute to the Mr. Nelson, though Fowler told the crowd they might think it's nasty. In the song, after bringing a date home, she reaches for his "Red Headed Stranger" album.

He quickly advises her:

"I don't know you that wellHelp yourself to some Haggard or some JonesHell, or anybody elseI don't know what you heardI ain't that kind of guyYeah so don't touch my Willie,We'll get a long just fine."

A Kevin Fowler fan wears his Willie shirt. April 1 2023
A Kevin Fowler fan wears his Willie shirt. April 1 2023

Fowler was joined on stage by Rico Gonzalez of Kin Faux, event host Mark Powell and Roger Creager during set.

It was crazy, for sure.

But it was just a prelude. Fans were there to have their hearts touched by their Willie.

And hear music's national treasure sing "Crazy," a song that he wrote 62 years ago.

"And I'm crazy for loving you."

Danna Dunagin, left, and Jeanie West of Merkel arrived at the Outlaws & Legends Music Festival early Saturday but said, "We're just here for Willie." They showed off their Willie gear, including art on Dunagin's denim jacket by local artist Chuck Roach.
Danna Dunagin, left, and Jeanie West of Merkel arrived at the Outlaws & Legends Music Festival early Saturday but said, "We're just here for Willie." They showed off their Willie gear, including art on Dunagin's denim jacket by local artist Chuck Roach.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Wild & Willie: Texas icon brings the outlaw and legend to music fest