Willie Nelson has been one of my father’s favorite singers for more than fifty years. When I asked him about his favorite Willie song, his response was a bit cryptic.
“Anything by Willie Nelson works for me,” he stated.
“Okay, but there has to be one song that stands out,” I pushed, “like Always on My Mind, Pancho and Lefty, My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys maybe.”
“No. I like’em all,” he persisted.
My aspirations of grilling him about the one song he would want on a deserted island went south real fast.
“I like a greatest hits album.” Hmmm. Good idea I guess.
Willie’s most popular song, “Always on My Mind”, was actually written by John Jr. Christopher, Mark James, and Wayne Carson Thompson and was one of Willie's biggest hits. My mother passed away unexpectedly in 2007 and I thought for sure my dad would have chosen “Always on My Mind” as his favorite because of her. Maybe it is, but he's keeping it for himself, which I respect.
One of my favorite pictures of my parents was taken by Willie Nelson’s late sister, Bobbie Nelson. My mother spent some of her years in retirement as a Blackjack dealer at the Golden Eagle Casino in Northeast Kansas. She loved to deal Blackjack! When Willie Nelson was scheduled to play the casino, my mom used her connections to get my dad backstage and they actually met Willie! Bobbie Nelson even invited them onto the tour bus and promised Willie would come out and talk with them and pose for a picture. And he did just that!
Many years later in 2015 while living in Las Vegas, I went to see Willie’s show at Aria Resort and Casino with my good friend Doug. It was a great show and at the end, Willie remained on stage to sign autographs. I had read he does this and I had a copy of that photo of him with my parents with me at the show. The front of the stage was packed! Doug and I made our way closer and Doug was actually denied an autograph by the drummer, Paul English. As I inched closer to Willie, one of his handlers came on stage and whisked him away to end the evening and my mission. The picture still remains unsigned and time is ticking, but I hope to see Willie again and give it another try!
Photo by Bobbie Nelson.
© 2022 Gregory Vessar. A Thousand Miles from Kansas. All Rights Reserved.
A Thousand Miles from Kansas 
good luck on the pic signing, bro.
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I love this story! I thought it would end differently and you would get the picture signed! I remember your mom well. Didn’t she drive our bus at a certain point or am I wrong about that? You don’t have to answer me, but what happened to your mom?
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Ruth! How are you and Mark these days? Thanks for reading my writing…it means the world to me that you take an interest in what I write! You are correct! My mom did drive our school bus for several years. Back in 2007, she suffered an aneurysm and passed away unexpectedly. I think I am still processing her loss, even after all these years. Writing helps and I’m sure you have noticed I have written about her quite a lot, poems and essays. Again, it does my heart good knowing that you read my writing! Take care and say hi to Mark for me! Keep in touch!
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I read all of them! I liked the Tom Petty one and the Len Dawson one! I should comment more because I am reading and enjoying them. You kept mentioning your mom and I was wondering what happened. I’m so sorry that your family had to go through that loss…especially with her being so young then. And unexpected like that. My dad passed 20 years ago this month, but we knew he was on borrowed time. He had gone to the fair one night, was doing fine….and then just passed in his sleep. Which was a great way to go in my opinion. My mom’s second husband just died 3 months ago but his last years were just unbearably awful for both of them (with her being his caretaker). Mom is now waiting to get her hip replaced. She’s really hobbled up because she wouldn’t leave Franny’s side to go get it xrayed. I kept encouraging her to go to the dr., but she wouldn’t. She also has A-flutter (which happens before A-fib) and she’s seeing a cardiologist to get that figured out before the hip surgery in October. Is your dad doing ok? Did he remarry?
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Losing a parent is hard. I’ll keep your mom in my prayers. My dad is doing well. He was diagnosed with kidney cancer about a year ago and is has been responding well to treatment. My brother, Brian, lives down the street from him in Salina, so he is there for him and keeps me updated. He never remarried. He always says my mom was his one and only. I’ll keep writing so you keep reading! Maybe hit that LIKE button! Keep in touch!
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BTW, what is your favorite song? Love to write a Song Thoughts about it…make a connection through song!
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I tried to hit ‘like’ but I don’t have an account? I’m sorry to hear about your dad’s health issues. There are too many bad things happening to good people. I’m glad your brother can keep an eye on him. I get the one and only idea, and I know you do too! My mom is fine. She got so abused by Franny and was glad when he had to go into the nursing home for the second and final time. She’ll be good once the hip gets replaced. The hard part is the waiting as she gets around with a walker and has some real bone deterioration from not getting that hip checked out sooner. The ortho guy said she must have a high tolerance for pain.
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I love Willie Nelson and that is one of my favorite songs. Love this story.
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Thank you for reading! I had the opportunity to catch one of his shows at The John T. Floor Store in San Antonio, TX many years ago. Of the times I’ve heard him play, the Floor show is my favorite!
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