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Here is an interesting question: What If you took a musical legend and paired him up with one of the most beloved bands in indie rock? Let's say that, on top of that, you also had said legend share the stage with one of the most exciting bands in indie rock. If you could pull all of that off, who do you think would come out the show?
Looking back, the answer seems obvious: Everyone. That's what happened this past Tuesday when the one and only Willie Nelson decided to play at a tiny venue called Charley's with one of our favorite groups, Band Of Horses. Now, granted, Willie has played at Charley's before (hell, there is even an oil painting of him on the wall), but never had he done so with an act that seemed as perfectly matched as this.
Which, in retrospect, may have explained the mob of people who tried desperately to get into Charley's when they finally opened the doors at just past seven. Once everyone got inside, though, they were treated to an eye-opening first act: a band called Promise Of The Real who, truth be told, could jam circles around those old farts in Phish. So how did they land such a prestigious opening slot? Their charismatic frontman Lukas is actually Willie's son. Clearly, the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.
Hell, Lukas brother Micah even came out in the middle of their set and pained a painting. (It was for sale at the merch booth after they were done. Score!) Hard to top, sure. But Band Of Horses, suede cowboy hat and all, definitely pulled it off. Just a little back story: When we originally approached the guys about playing this show, frontman Ben Bridwell's response was, "Oh hell yeah!" and his excitement level was still evident when he and his bandmates kicked off the night with "Is There A Ghost" from their excellent 2007 album, Cease To Begin. This was the perfect band to pair up with Willie, considering they take the country rock sound he pioneered and drag it in to modern day, and it seems like even Mr. Nelson wanted to acknowledge that. So he hoped up onstage with them.
Nelson came through the back door at the end of Band Of Horses set and took the mic next to Ben, as he and the guys ran through a giddy version of "Mommas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys." The smile across Ben's face during the last half of the song said it all. This was a once-in-a-lifetime moment and even the shirtless dude named Kunu who was standing next to us had to put his beer down and salute the band. A few moments later Nelson was back, but this time it was for an hour-plus set with his crack band. They tore through a handful of songs off his latest album, American Classic. But Willie also reached way back into his catalog, pulling out classics like "You Were Always On My Mind" and "On The Road Again," as the crowd inside Charley's happily sang along.
It was a nice way to end what was unquestionably one of our most talked about Secret Shows in years, and we have a lot of people to thanks for making it happen. So then, big ups to Willie and the entire Nelson family, Tom at Capitol, the guys from Band Of Horses, Steve at SAM, and the staff at Charley's.
Also, a big thanks goes out to our sponsor Citi Forward by MySpace for keeping these shows free! Remember, if you want to get VIP treatment at the next show, you gotta sign up for the Citi Forward by MySpace card!
As always, we'll see you at the next show...
Looking back, the answer seems obvious: Everyone. That's what happened this past Tuesday when the one and only Willie Nelson decided to play at a tiny venue called Charley's with one of our favorite groups, Band Of Horses. Now, granted, Willie has played at Charley's before (hell, there is even an oil painting of him on the wall), but never had he done so with an act that seemed as perfectly matched as this.
Which, in retrospect, may have explained the mob of people who tried desperately to get into Charley's when they finally opened the doors at just past seven. Once everyone got inside, though, they were treated to an eye-opening first act: a band called Promise Of The Real who, truth be told, could jam circles around those old farts in Phish. So how did they land such a prestigious opening slot? Their charismatic frontman Lukas is actually Willie's son. Clearly, the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.
Hell, Lukas brother Micah even came out in the middle of their set and pained a painting. (It was for sale at the merch booth after they were done. Score!) Hard to top, sure. But Band Of Horses, suede cowboy hat and all, definitely pulled it off. Just a little back story: When we originally approached the guys about playing this show, frontman Ben Bridwell's response was, "Oh hell yeah!" and his excitement level was still evident when he and his bandmates kicked off the night with "Is There A Ghost" from their excellent 2007 album, Cease To Begin. This was the perfect band to pair up with Willie, considering they take the country rock sound he pioneered and drag it in to modern day, and it seems like even Mr. Nelson wanted to acknowledge that. So he hoped up onstage with them.
Nelson came through the back door at the end of Band Of Horses set and took the mic next to Ben, as he and the guys ran through a giddy version of "Mommas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys." The smile across Ben's face during the last half of the song said it all. This was a once-in-a-lifetime moment and even the shirtless dude named Kunu who was standing next to us had to put his beer down and salute the band. A few moments later Nelson was back, but this time it was for an hour-plus set with his crack band. They tore through a handful of songs off his latest album, American Classic. But Willie also reached way back into his catalog, pulling out classics like "You Were Always On My Mind" and "On The Road Again," as the crowd inside Charley's happily sang along.
It was a nice way to end what was unquestionably one of our most talked about Secret Shows in years, and we have a lot of people to thanks for making it happen. So then, big ups to Willie and the entire Nelson family, Tom at Capitol, the guys from Band Of Horses, Steve at SAM, and the staff at Charley's.
Also, a big thanks goes out to our sponsor Citi Forward by MySpace for keeping these shows free! Remember, if you want to get VIP treatment at the next show, you gotta sign up for the Citi Forward by MySpace card!
As always, we'll see you at the next show...
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