I had the great honor of smoking a joint with Willie when I was a college photographer assigned to cover his concert. I show up early for such assignments and one of the roadies spotted me outside the venue. Incredibly, he invited me to have dinner with Willie and the boys on their tour bus. I didn't even pretend to be cool. After dinner and a joint, Willie took the stage, and I watched him make love to every person in the stadium for three hours. What a night!
Here's hoping you eventually make it back to los angeles--but that's selfish of me, i know. Glad to hear the writing area is being set up and that the old ambition has reliably raised its ambitious head. I picture a writing desk, a bookshelf, and a comfy doggy bed at your feet for Guin. We need photos! All best--
I would add that another reason for joining us behind the paywall (as if George and Hemingway ain't enough) is that there is an excellent photo of George with a guitar and a very stylish chapeau.
As I mentioned behind the paywall, I think it's great that you chose a Townes song and not one that Willie himself wrote (although he has written many worthy ones.) Townes was one of the all-time great songwriters and here in Austin, every year we have what I can only call "Townes-fest" (as a city we are infested with fests), in which a varying cast of local musicians, anchored by Butch Hancock, perform Townes songs, including some deep cuts.
I agree, I love Townes Van Zandt, and Pancho and Lefty is such a great song. That’s very cool about the “Townes-fest” (Chicago also has a lot of “fests” but they are mostly neighborhood-centered).
Found my way to the Pancho & Lefty song on the One by Willie podcast last night. Going to bookmark the sight so thnx for the reco! One thing I don’t recall—it was late, I couldn’t sleep— was the fact that no matter what Willie sings, he brings his iconic voice along with him, making every song his own. I imagine that’s the point of the podcast but I was left wanting to hear the whole song again. And again. 👍
You're not alone, George. Years ago, my husband's boss learned I loved Willie and gave us two front-row tickets to see him. During one of his songs, Willie whipped off his red head scarf and tossed it into my lap. Quite a thrill.
GS I'm enjoying the story. BTW, I missed the move chatter...did you cross vast vista's of the country east to west or similiar, or ...smaller distances, or none of my beeswax? ☺
I had the great honor of smoking a joint with Willie when I was a college photographer assigned to cover his concert. I show up early for such assignments and one of the roadies spotted me outside the venue. Incredibly, he invited me to have dinner with Willie and the boys on their tour bus. I didn't even pretend to be cool. After dinner and a joint, Willie took the stage, and I watched him make love to every person in the stadium for three hours. What a night!
Here's hoping you eventually make it back to los angeles--but that's selfish of me, i know. Glad to hear the writing area is being set up and that the old ambition has reliably raised its ambitious head. I picture a writing desk, a bookshelf, and a comfy doggy bed at your feet for Guin. We need photos! All best--
We will! We love it there. And here.
Basically, we love it everywhere. :)
I would add that another reason for joining us behind the paywall (as if George and Hemingway ain't enough) is that there is an excellent photo of George with a guitar and a very stylish chapeau.
Thank you, Sharon. "Stylish" is a word seldom applied to me, but I'll take it.
As I mentioned behind the paywall, I think it's great that you chose a Townes song and not one that Willie himself wrote (although he has written many worthy ones.) Townes was one of the all-time great songwriters and here in Austin, every year we have what I can only call "Townes-fest" (as a city we are infested with fests), in which a varying cast of local musicians, anchored by Butch Hancock, perform Townes songs, including some deep cuts.
The man himself, doing "Pancho & Lefty."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9trdd3kFwc
Just don't read his Wikipedia page unless you want to get seriously depressed
I agree, I love Townes Van Zandt, and Pancho and Lefty is such a great song. That’s very cool about the “Townes-fest” (Chicago also has a lot of “fests” but they are mostly neighborhood-centered).
I’m happy to be part of the community. 😊
Found my way to the Pancho & Lefty song on the One by Willie podcast last night. Going to bookmark the sight so thnx for the reco! One thing I don’t recall—it was late, I couldn’t sleep— was the fact that no matter what Willie sings, he brings his iconic voice along with him, making every song his own. I imagine that’s the point of the podcast but I was left wanting to hear the whole song again. And again. 👍
The podcast is wonderful. Best use of an hour in quite a while!
You're not alone, George. Years ago, my husband's boss learned I loved Willie and gave us two front-row tickets to see him. During one of his songs, Willie whipped off his red head scarf and tossed it into my lap. Quite a thrill.
His version of Paul Simon's "American Tune" (with Simon on guitar) is sublime, I think.
https://open.spotify.com/track/6E6bwTECCKZzpxwBHuX5ob
Thanks for sharing this. Doesn’t get better than that. The lyrics achingly apt for 2026.
one of the only eudaemonic vs merely demonic instances of a man talking to another man on a podcast
I’m new here. Where’s George’s new place?
Upstate New York--near Syracuse where he will be teaching in the fall.
GS I'm enjoying the story. BTW, I missed the move chatter...did you cross vast vista's of the country east to west or similiar, or ...smaller distances, or none of my beeswax? ☺
LA to Upstate NY, with two cats and an elderly dog. Take that, Kerouac. :)