I was going to say something cute like Willie Nelson is 76 years young. But to be fair, he's not. He is in fact 76 years old. His singing sounds a little like tired talking, he has my grandma's arms, and his repertoire of stage moves exclusively include one armed, upward pointing. That said, he was of course indisputably awesome. He's WILLIE NELSON. Period.

There were a few things about the concert that I wasn't expecting. The crowd was douchier than at Seeger, Springsteen and Dolly combined. I suspect the majority of the audience was in the "I love Willie because I can put the picture of him flipping off the camera on my myspace profile" camp, vs. the "I love Willie because on the right day, 'Stay a Little Longer' makes me cry" camp. A little disappointing, but mostly just amusing. I wasn't prepared for him to repeat songs, two separate times. I obviously have no qualms with 'Whisky River' book ending the show. Play it 17 times and I'd still be happy as a clam. But…what? Is he so old he forgot he already played it? Also surprising was the fact that Nelson's drummer was actually the emaciated, animatronic corpse of Waylon Jennings. Who knew?! And how? Another surprise was seeing women throw their panties on stage. Even though I was in the front row (NBD) it was often hard to differentiate between panties and bandanas, thus concluding they were all bandanties.

I would give my first born (whom I hope will look something like this) to just sit and listen to him talk about his life and his country fella friends. He's one of the last of a dying breed. The man is a legend. And a goddamned fine American. You were always on my mind, Willie.

willie nelson