Happy B-Day Willie

Singer / songwriter / actor / icon Willie Nelson is 73 today, (born in 1933). Ride on Willie!

My mother and I liked Willie when we first heard him in the early 60's. His jazz style phrasing was unlike anything that I (we) had ever heard, especially in Country music. His song writing talents were never disparaged, even by the establishment people in Nashville who didn't like his voice or his singing. I think that he has done as much as much to change the face and attitude of country music as anyone ever has. He has recorded types of music that other no other "country" people, before him, even admitted to listening to or knowing about. He has embraced, and sang, old standards / reggae / Spanish music / rock, et al. He and his music helped encourage writer/singers the breadth of Texas (and the world). People like Townes Van Zandt, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Charlie Robison, and others drew strength from Willie's struggles and his rise to stardom. Thank you Willie, ... and happy birthday.