The loose spontaneity of Willie Nelson’s music is a cornerstone of his live performances. His unmistakable phrasing and captivating lyrics are coupled with a willingness to expend any effort to satisfy his fans. His love of performing and his love of people appear to be equal forces in his life.

Nelson’s many recordings are a powerful testimony to his ability to fill a performance with emotion. They are perfect expressions of tone and time. Most, however, concentrate on his incredible talent and fail to show Willie’s playful nature.

In 1979 Willie was named Entertainer of the Year by the Country Music Association, and still held the title in May 1980, when he began working in Garland, Texas, on the album Family Bible. Engineer Phil York was also the broadcast engineer on the radio portion of the Saturday night Grapevine Opry in Grapevine, Texas.

Chisai Childs began the Opry in the early 70s in a run down Movie Theater in Grapevine. By the end of the decade it was the fastest growing country music show in the country, and prided itself on the development of young musical talent. The Opry held two performances each Saturday night. The second of the evening was broadcast on a local 100,000-watts FM radio station.

York stopped the session so that he could drive to Grapevine for the radio broadcast, and Willie, his sister Bobbie, Paul English and Jody Payne tagged along, and recorded one of the most enjoyable live performances in Nelson’s 200-plus recording discography.

Unavailable for almost two decades this recording contains many of Willie’s most recognizable standards, in a relaxed, refreshing performance.

Miss Childs received a call from York as he was leaving the studio in Garland telling her that he would arrive just before the radio portion of the show began, and that he was bringing Willie. She thought York was joking, but soon learned how serious he had been.

"I was in my dressing room, " Chisai said, "when he came in we shook hands, and he introduced himself. We went backstage, and a local group, the Focal Minority, was performing. They had just finished the second song in a six-song set when Willie said, "I want to play." I said, "Now?" and he said, "yes." We were near the end of the first show, with an audience for the second show in the lobby.

I went on stage and told the group they were through. A member of the group argued that they had only sung two songs and they had four more to go. I told them "no, they were through, and Willie and his band started plugging up." I told the audience they had to get up and let those with tickets for the second show have the seats, but that they didn’t have to leave. We opened the doors to the lobby and then opened the doors to the theater. We soon had a crowd of a couple thousand people spilling into the street.

"Willie didn’t have a bass player with him, so I told my bass player to stay on stage and play with him," Chisai said. Willie was at the pinnacle of his career, and gave one of the most heartwarming performances he has ever recorded.

He played for 45 minutes, and then moved outside to sign autographs and talk with his fans. He stayed until he had signed everyone’s autograph and had his picture made with everyone that wanted one.

"The performance was great for the Grapevine Opry," Chisai said. "After that it was cool for world class performers to just drop in at the Opry, and over the next six months it happened again and again. Just because Willie Nelson had made it cool."

by Dick Cooper