Willie Nelson Abandons Usual Routine for Special Performance in Nashville

Willie Nelson is certainly a treasure trove of American music and a master interpreter of all styles. As if to prove this, he departed from his normal routine to play a concert dominated by cover songs Thursday night (Nov. 5) at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Even more surprising, perhaps, is that he didn't use his usual touring band for the show.

Once the anticipation finally ended, Nelson took the floor just before 9 p.m. to an extra-excited audience. He mentioned how good it felt to be on that particular stage, saying simply, "Now, let me find something to play."

After the pre-requisite "Whiskey River," his quickly-formed band of Nashville session musicians, including Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale, deftly felt their way through songs that seemed to just pop into Nelson's head. LINK

"Willie Nelson Whiskey River"


Willie Nelson opens Riverbend 2009 with Whiskey River. LINK: Youtube
Not sure if this is the video for that performance but it is Willie singing Whiskey River.