Weekend Music Texas Twofer

 

Today in Houston, TX, native Texans Beyoncé and Willie Nelson will be performing at a rally for Vice President Harris, Gov. Tim Walz, and Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Collin Allred.  We're not sure what their song choices will be, but Beyoncé's song "Freedom" has been Harris' campaign anthem, so it's an obvious choice for one of our songs today.  Completing the twofer, we're posting Willie's version of Irving Berlin's classic "Blue Skies" (for obvious reasons).  

(An additional note:  it seems Detroit's own Insane Clown Posse has also endorsed Harris-Walz.  May their many thousands of Juggalos follow suit!)  

Hope you enjoy.

 

 

Weekend Music

 

The legendary Willie Nelson is (finally) being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year.  He also just celebrated his 90th birthday with an appropriately epic celebration at the Hollywood Bowl, with performances by a who's who of rock, country, rap and pop music stars.  Of the hundreds of his songs we could choose, "On The Road Again," is one of his most famous and recognizable, and the song he often uses to close out a concert.  And true to the song, Willie is on the road right now on tour.  Catch him if you can!

Weekend Sunny Music

This past Wednesday was the 90th birthday of music legend, World War II combat vet, Renaissance man, and good Democrat Tony Bennett (born Benedetto).  This is an artist who has recorded for nearly 70 years, both solo and with fellow giants in the music business. Outside of his musical career, during which he's received multiple awards (including 19 Grammys), Bennett became a noted painter and has been honored by the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame for his long dedication to human and civil rights.

Since the presidential polls are getting us to a sunnier place, we're going with this song written in 1930, during the depths of the Great Depression, which appears on Bennett's 2011 album, "Duets II." It's a nice collaboration with fellow Dem and music great Willie Nelson that Bennett recorded when he was 85(!).  Hope you enjoy.

Willie Nelson: Cannabis Capitalist

One of America's (and progressives') most beloved artists, Willie Nelson, 81, has announced he's segueing from his long-time advocacy for marijuana legalization into a business venture:

... [W]e’re talking about why he puts on the [Heartbreaker Banquet fundraiser/ music] event every year. In the process, he lets slip that he has something else in the works: a new brand of weed, called, naturally, Willie’s Reserve. (our emphasis)

The venture will include not only Willie's special weed, but also branded bongs and stores in states where marijuana use is legal.  With the venture up and running, cannabis-infused Willie may, in the distant future, be able to offer fans a really special "weed".

Mid-Week Birthday Song

A very happy 80th birthday (yesterday) to the incomparable Willie Nelson.  One of the true pioneers in country-Western music, Nelson's recordings frequently broke through to mainstream audiences.  He's also one of the great champions of the American farmer, raising millions through concerts and benefits.  One of our favorite songs was his soulful 1982 Grammy-winning hit, "Always On My Mind,"  perhaps the greatest "forgive me" ballad in American music.  Happy birthday, Willie.



Entertainment Weekly has a longer tribute here for diehard fans.