Willie Nelson
Thanks to Willie Nelson, I think I’ll survive this dread disease that has laid me low. I know he wasn’t singing about the phlegmy disgusting miserable symptoms of the common cold when he recorded “The Healing Hands of Time” but that’s the sentiment that has been repeating itself over and over again in my stuffed up head. “I’ll get over you by clinging to those healing hands of time.” A great earworm. A suitable mantra.
I just love Willie Nelson. I love his music and what he stands for and that he’s still going strong at age 81! He’s described as “an American singer-songwriter, musician, guitarist, author, poet, actor, and activist.” I would add that he’s quirky, a total individualist, has strong convictions and has a distinctive singing voice that never fails to suck me in. In fact, I think he could sing “Three Blind Mice” or the “ABC Song” and I’d be equally smitten.
Larry Murante
Interestingly, I’ve never seen him in concert. Not that opportunities haven’t manifested themselves. He does many concerts here in the Northwest. In fact, I see that he has three coming up in June that would be do-able for us – June 25th in Bend, June 26th in Troutdale and June 27th in Redmond. But, I doubt that I’ll go.
Truth to tell, I’ve never been to a live concert – not of the magnitude that we are talking about these days. Not my idea of a good time. I think it would be right up there with going to a sports extravaganza at a gigantic arena. Not since I was at Stanford and attended the Big Games have I subjected myself to such dissatisfaction and I’m sure that was small potatoes compared to now.
Do I like seeing musicians and other celebrities up close and personal? You bet! But a TV performance is closer and more personal, as far as I’m concerned. I don’t really get being among the masses and worshipping from afar. That’s part of the reason we do House Concerts – but I doubt if Willie would be interested. Too bad. I think having the venerable Mr. Nelson singing in my living room would be cold prevention for years to come! Probably for all of us! No pressure, Larry Murante!
Larry will be here in concert day after tomorrow and will provide mantras of another kind! Our resident ghost, Mrs. Crouch, hasn’t caused a great big noisy fuss for years – not since Larry wrote a ballad in her honor. In that case, his chorus that begins “I was never scared” provides words to live by for situations beyond imagining. Between Willie and Larry, all is well here Oysterville!
I’ve seen Willie several times, most recently about three years ago at the Puyallup Fair where my complaint was that the bleachers in the cheap seats were too uncomfortable for our old bones. The first time I saw him was 20+ years ago in Seaside and the convention center. The place had the virtues of being close and small, but the downside was it was folding chairs on a flat floor and being in the cheap seats that time meant being toward the back and having trouble seeing. I highly recommend going to his concert once. Depending on the venue, you’d have a good time. I WISH you could book him into your living room! Failing that, I am looking forward to Sunday and Larry.