 Morongo Casino Resort-Special Event Center
Friday, January 23, 2009
Story by Lisa Robyn Lawrence
Photos by Pat Krause, to view Pat’s photo gallery of this performance, click here.
Photos by Cathy Jardine, to view Cathy’s photo gallery of this performance, click here.
Willie Nelson wowed ‘em at Morongo Casino last Friday night. The sold-out house of 2,600 seats at Morongo Casino Resort Spa Special Event Center was a testament to the popularity of this iconic, country and western star.
Nelson took the stage in his quite and calm, almost relaxed, “cowboy way.“ The audience was captive to Nelson’s music and personality. Now almost all white haired and his hair not braided, Nelson’s past-the-waist length hair was pulled back and tucked under the back of the guitar strap around his neck.  Nelson’s hair billowed; loose, wavy and wild like a huge silver-white cloud covering his back with a red bandana around his forehead and a cowboy hat to top it off. Willie kept a large supply of his signature red bandanas on stage, which he tied around his forehead and then flung into the audience after many of his songs. Mayhem ensued, sheiks, screams and grabbing arms everywhere, everyone wanted a bandana from Willie.
This once-named “Red-Headed Stranger” did not disappoint his adoring fans. Friday’s performance was a perfect platform for his signature songs such as, “On the Road Again,” “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys,” and so many others. Willie’s singin’ and strummin’ from the heart didn’t let his fans down.
 Nelson played lead guitar on his famous, well-loved, six-string acoustic guitar, “Trigger” (Martin N-20). Sister Bobbie Nelson on piano accompanied Willie with his back-up band consisting of a guitar bass, drums, percussion and a kicken’ harmonica player. The band provided the perfect support for this fantastic night with Willie Nelson.
Willie Hugh Nelson was born in Abbott, Texas, April 30, 1933. He reached his greatest fame during the so-called “outlaw country” movement of the 1970s. Known also as a country rock, alternative country star, he also sings folk, reggae and blues as well. Known primarily as a singer, Nelson is also a popular and accomplished songwriter, acoustic guitarist, producer, session musician, actor and activist.
Nelson’s grandparents, William Alfred Nelson and Nancy Elizabeth Smothers, gave him mail-order music lessons starting at age 6. Willie learned to play the guitar, while his sister Bobbie played the piano.
At Friday’s concert, fans stomped, applauded and danced in their seats and in the isles as Willie belted out one hit after another. One guy in the third row from the front of the stage was so enraptured he was up on his feet, waving his outstretched arms and hands during every song, having his own Willie Nelson spiritual experience.
At the concert’s end, the crowd couldn’t stop talking about the night’s fantastic performance. No one left the concert disappointed.
Thank you Willie Nelson and to Morongo Casino Resort Spa and their top-notch staff for presenting this excellent concert. What a great and memorable evening. Thank you! Thank you!
To view Pat Krause’s photo gallery of this performance, click here.
To view Cathy Jardine’s photo gallery of this performance, click here.
For more information about Willie Nelson’s songs, his music and his tour, go to his Official Web Site, click here.
For more information about coming events at Morongo Casino Resort Spa, click here.
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