News
Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin’ To Be Released On CD; Plus US Broadcast Details
20 May 03
CONCERT PREMIERES 26 MAY AT 9PM (ET / PT) ON USA NETWORK…ENCORE PRESENTATIONS SCHEDULED…CD TO BE RELEASED 24 JUNE 2003 ON LOST HIGHWAY RECORDS
The USA Network, an American Cable Television Channel, presents a special Memorial Day Concert Event to celebrate country superstar Willie Nelson’s 70th Birthday. Eric Clapton was one of the very special friends invited to perform at the live audience taping on 9 April 2003 at New York City’s Beacon Theater.
The two-hour special premieres Monday, 26 May 2003 at 9PM (ET / PT). Encore presentations will air on the USA Network on 26 May at 11PM (ET / PT), 31 May at 2AM (ET / PT) and 1 June at 9AM (ET / PT). Willie Nelson & Friends: Live And Kickin’ will be released on CD by Lost Highway Records on 24 June.
The performances to be included in the television show are:
I Didn’t Come Here And I Ain’t Leavin’ – Willie Nelson
Nightlife – Eric Clapton & Willie
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain – Shania Twain
Homeward Bound – Paul Simon & Willie
Me & Bobby McGee – Sheryl Crow & Kris Kristofferson
Beer For My Horses – Toby Keith & Willie
Crazy – Diana Krall, Elvis Costello & Willie
To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before – Wyclef Jean & Willie
Wurlitzer Prize – Norah Jones & Willie
San Antonio Girl – Lyle Lovett, Ray Price & Willie
She Loves My Automobile – ZZ Top & Willie
Angel Flying To Close To The Ground – Shelby Lynne
A Song For You – Ray Charles, Leon Russell & Willie
I Couldn’t Believe It Was True – John Mellencamp
Run That By Me One More Time – Ray Price & Willie
I’ll Never Smoke Weed With Willie Again – Toby Keith
Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning – Kenny Chesney & Willie
One Time Too Many – Steven Tyler & Willie
On The Road Again – All Star Encore
Willie Nelson is one of Nashville’s most prestigious songwriters and performers and is often referred to as "America’s Ambassador Of Music." He was one of the founders of the Texas Country "Outlaw" movement of the 1970s and has recorded country, pop, blues, jazz, gospel, rock and more. Some of the classic songs he penned include Nightlife (his first hit in 1961), Crazy (a blockbuster for Patsy Cline in 1962), Funny How Time Slips Away and a good number of the above mentioned songs.
Eric Clapton is honored with the first guest spot in the beautifully filmed special. The men are seen trading licks and verses on a blues-tinged take of Nightlife. Clapton does not appear for the encore and this was his only performance of the evening. Other highlights include Shania Twain’s rendition of Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain; Costello, Krall and Nelson on Crazy; Shelby Lynne’s Angel Flying To Close To The Ground and One Time Too Many as performed by Steven Tyler and Willie.
Don’t forget to check out the upcoming issue of Where’s Eric! Magazine for an in-depth and behind-the-scenes view of the event! A DVD is expected later this year.