Willie Nelson never really leaves Texas.

With every step, the ground under his feet is instantaneously
acquired, then seceded by The Lone Star state, in favor of the
ground his feet now occupy.

He brought his little part of Texas to the Pageant this past
Saturday as a benefit for the Julia Spears Foundation for the Saint
Louis University Liver Center. (Julia Spears is the wife of
Nelson’s bassist, Lee Spears, and was treated for hepatitis C at
the center.)

Because it was a benefit, and had Nelson in the flesh, ticket
prices started at $65, a paltry price for the usual Pageant fare.
Accordingly, the audience was almost exclusively older and better
off than any college student.

Couples stepped out of limousines in designer cowboy boots and
Italian cowboy hats, trying to fit in with the occasion as much as
their bank accounts would allow. Yes, there were blue collars in
the audience, but they blended far more into the d�cor than
these visitors to the concert.

These people perched in the upper balcony or near the rear bar,
while the real Nelson fans, the drunk and wild ones, preferred the
pit in front of the stage.

Within the overall excitement of the crowd, there was a general
malaise, as the news of Johnny Cash’s death was still circulating.
This became quite apparent as the opening band played a tribute
cover of “Ring of Fire,” which sent the crowd into a frenzy of
emotion.

The big question, though, was, “What will Willie do?”

The answer was nothing. Nelson never mentioned the passing, nor
did he really speak much at all. The single, two-hour marathon set
he played was almost one, long medley; the end of one song signaled
the beginning of a new one, with only a momentary pause.

He played all of his fans’ favorites, such as “On the Road
Again,” “Crazy” and “To All the Women I’ve Loved Before”
inter-dispersed between the old-time country ditties he is known
for.

Something about Nelson that is often lost on people is his
ability as a guitar player. Even at the age he is and the beat-up
guitar he has been using for about 30 years, he can still pull out
some of the most intricate solo parts in country music. The same
could be said of his backing band of amazing musicians. Still,
there is no flash, no great flair; they perform their parts as if
anyone could just walk up and do it, it is that natural to
them.

Throughout the entire set, fans in the pit were dancing,
drinking, shouting and everything else one might associate with a
Texas hoedown.

Women would throw yellow roses, while men pitched their Texas
bandanas and cowboy hats for Nelson to wear.

Like a true performer, Nelson would thank the person for
whatever was thrown, put on the hats for a song or two and then
throw it back into the crowd. It is no wonder people love this man
so much, when he gives that much appreciation to his fans.