It was another night of incredible music at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday (April 30) with the second installment of Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90. It was a continuation of the celebration of Nelson’s 90th birthday that started the night before. The music kept playing and love kept pouring in for the music icon, as the likes of Keith Richards, Sheryl Crow, Kris Kristofferson, Dave Matthews, and many others of Nelson’s peers, friends, and family took over the historic venue in his honor, an experience that captured the magic of his music.
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Check out some of the highlights from the special evening below.
1. Kris Kristofferson and Norah Jones Serenade With “Help Me Make it Through the Night”
After performing a brief, yet beautiful piano tribute to Nelson’s late sister and bandmate Bobbie Nelson, Norah Jones offered the first surprise of the night as she said, “God bless Bobbie Nelson, God bless Willie Nelson and God bless Kris Kristofferson” to enthusiastic cheers from the crowd as the 86-year-old Kristofferson made his way to the stage.
The two dueted on a classic country song, “Help Me Make it Through the Night,” which was written and recorded by Kristofferson and later made a hit when Nelson covered it in 1980. Jones performed the song with Nelson 21 years ago the first night she met him opening for him at one of his shows, making it a truly full circle moment as she sang it with another country giant. Kristofferson, persevered through the words he wrote decades ago, the crowd hanging on every note as he and Jones’ voices united organically on the tender-hearted ballad, the crowd rewarding them with a standing ovation for one of the most beautiful performances of the night.
2. Sheryl Crow Dazzles With a “Crazy” Cover
Sheryl Crow was among the many artists who is both a fan and friend of Nelson’s, emerging onstage with heartfelt words.
“Who else could pull together a night like this,” she observed. “I’ve had a lot of great experiences through the years with Willie,” she added of how he’s her “favorite person to sing with” in the world.
This led into a performance of “one of the greatest songs ever written,” she described of the Nelson-penned song that Patsy Cline turned into a timeless classic, “Crazy.” Crow made the song her own as she showed off her suave, smooth voice alongside breathtaking backing vocals from The McCrary Sisters in one of the night’s standout performances.
3. Dave Matthews Offers Soulful Rendition of “Funny How Time Slips Away”
Among Nelson’s many friends to take the stage was Dave Matthews, who’s also a member of the board of directors for Farm Aid, an organization formed by Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp.
“I’m nervous because it’s quite a lineup,” Matthews admitted, sharing how the first time he met Nelson was at the Farm Aid benefit concert in 1994. After the show, he scored a coveted invite onto Nelson’s tour bus where they proceeded to get high on marijuana.
“When I thought it couldn’t go on any longer, it hadn’t even begun,” Matthews laughed of the nonstop smoking, adding that his mom framed a picture from that night, “Because she’s so proud of me for that.”
With just a simple acoustic guitar and his soft voice, Matthews quieted down the crowd with “Funny How Time Slips Away.” He performed it like he was feeling every lyric, offering a message as poignant today as it was when Nelson wrote it in 1961, fans hanging on to each note he sang. “I love you Willie,” Matthews professed as he walked off stage.
4. Willie Nelson Sings With Sheryl Crow & Other Friends
After an introduction fit for a king from actor Woody Harrelson, who cited Nelson as a “god who walks among us mere mortals” and “one of the greatest songwriters” who’s ever lived, Nelson took his rightful place onstage—with a beaming smile on his face. The man of the hour opened his set solo, perched on a stool with his faithful guitar Trigger in hand, singing the poetic jazz standard, “Stardust,” the words made even more beautiful with his nostalgic voice.
The empty seat beside him was soon filled by a rotating cast of stars, beginning with Sheryl Crow. “This is a swell party,” she remarked before the two dueted on another popular standard that Nelson has covered, “Far Away Places.” The pair’s voices taook listeners on a faraway adventure that they sing about.
What also made the event special is how it emphasized what a truly gifted songwriter Nelson is, exemplified when he welcomed longtime producer and co-writer Buddy Cannon to perform what Cannon cited as one of his favorite songs they ever wrote, “Something You Get Through,” that features such thoughtful lyrics as, Life goes on and on/And when it’s gone/It lives in someone new/It’s not somethin’ you get over/But it’s somethin’ you get through.
5. Keith Richards Make Surprise Appearance
Keith Richards didn’t have to say a word, as the mere sight of him sent the crowd into an excited uproar and standing ovation.
“It’s good to be here, it’s good to be anywhere,” Richards said as he thanked Nelson for inviting him to be a part of his special night. Richards stayed for two songs, accompanying on guitar as the two legends traded vocals on “We Had It All.” They were soon joined by Nelson’s sons Lukas and Micah Nelson on guitar for stellar performance of The Highwaymen’s “Live Forever” (Nelson was a part of the supergroup with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson).
This led into an all-star finish, as Nelson kept the vibe high with one of his signature hits, “On the Road Again” that had the audience on its feet, clapping and dancing along as all of the night’s performers came out for the final send-off. The variety of artists filling the stage reflects Nelson’s vast reach that’s only bound to keep growing. Nelson ended the night with a lively medley of “Will the Circle Be UnBroken?” and “I’ll Fly Away” and left his loyal fans with the same message he did the night before that captures his true spirit. “Thank all of y’all,” Nelson professed before tossing his hat and red bandana into the crowd. “We love you.”
All Photos by Randall Michelson/Courtesy of Blackbird Productions
