I saw Willie Nelson in concert for a fifth time Saturday.
Jenn and I and two of our kids made our way to his Outlaw Music Festival at Dos Equis Pavilion in Dallas.
Also on the bill were Bob Dylan, the Avett Brothers, the Mavericks and Tami Neilson.
The weather was perfect, and the crowd was electric.
The 92-year-old Willie was perfect as well.
Much has changed since the last time I saw him in concert well over a dozen years ago.
Namely, he is older. But I guess we all are.
Despite him staying seated the entire set, the music was still on point.
He was joined onstage by his son Lukas Nelson— an accomplished solo artist in his own right— and Waylon Payne— the son of Willie’s longtime guitarist, the late Jody Payne.
Willie’s longtime harmonica player Mickey Raphael was also on hand along with Billy English on drums.
Billy is the brother of Willie’s longtime drummer, the late Paul English— otherwise known as “The Devil” and also remembered in Willie’s classic song “Me and Paul.”
So, Willie is still traveling the country with his band “The Family” and we were there.
It was me and Jennifer and 14-year-old Grace and 17-year-old Jackson.
Our family seeing Willie and his Family is a bit of a Lewter family tradition.
I wasn’t much older than Jack when I first saw Willie along with my dad and my grandfather.
My dad was a bit younger than Jackson when he and his dad went to their first Willie show.
In fact, my dad was probably about Jack’s age when my grandfather knocked on the backstage door of the Dallas Sportatorium and talked his way in without a ticket.
Times were different then, and my grandfather never met a stranger— so there is that.
There we were Saturday— a cool Texas summer night under the Dallas stars— and the Red Headed Stranger was a main attraction.
Four generations of family trips to Willie Nelson concerts culminated in what very well may be our last chance to see him perform live.
I thought about my grandfather— long since passed away along with Jody Payne and Paul English.
I texted my dad videos and updates and left knowing my kids had a chance to see one of the only true musical geniuses of our time at work.
Some things never change at a Willie Nelson show.
There are people of all ages, races and backgrounds.
Young, old, gay, straight, Republican, Democrat, black, white, brown, cowboys, hippies, bikers and all folks in between.
And everyone sings along to “Whiskey River.” Everyone claps their hands to “Will the Circle be Unbroken.”
And everyone hushes when he starts into “You Are Always on My Mind.”
Music is a universal love and Willie is the pinnacle of music’s love language.
Though Willie reminded us Saturday that he is still doing what he loves, his aged appearance was a reminder that none of us will be here forever.
He joked about his age when he sang (I Woke Up) “Still Not Dead” (Again Today).
He reminded us of our mortality when he sang “Last Leaf on the Tree.”
Then he laughed about his final wishes when he sang “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.”
The entire evening was perfect— a memory I hope my kids will hold onto for years to come.
Our time on this earth is fleeting, memories are not.
Enjoy your short time with your family. Make memories
Take in a concert. Sing, laugh, dance, be happy. In other words, be like Willie.