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Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2008 > July > 04 > Entry
Willie’s Place at Carl’s Corner hosts pre-opening party
The “Bio Willie” diesel fueling stations won’t be operational until at least September, but the music was pumping Thursday as Willie Nelson and friends christened the rebuilt and expanded Willie’s Place at Carl’s Corner truck stop 40 miles north of Waco with a free concert.
By the 4 p.m. opening set by David Allan Coe, the 500-person capacity Willie Nelson Theater was full, with dozens waiting to get in. As Johnny Bush followed, many latecomers were relegated to watch the local talent on the outdoor stage, with little chance to get inside with the air conditioning and the bigger names.
“It’s going to be a madhouse tonight,” said Nelson’s harmonica player, Mickey Raphael. Nelson was scheduled to go on at 9:30 p.m., preceded by fellow legends Merle Haggard and Ray Price.
Nelson ended up performing outside in the heat as the crowds swelled to about 2,500, placating many with “Milk Cow Blues,” “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” and “Good Hearted Woman.” After Nelson’s short set in the swelter, many fans called it a day.
“I can’t tell you how long we’ve been waiting for this day,” Nelson said at a news conference earlier, seated next to Carl’s Corner founder Carl Cornelius.
The landmark trucker oasis on Interstate 35 East was closed for more than two years after the original buildings were town down and rebuilt with an old Western town facade. Cornelius said the long-term goal is to turn Carl’s Corner into a multiclub entertainment destination.
“Years ago, Willie said, ‘What if we opened a club here and had George Strait play and then had a club over here for Waylon (Jennings) and one over here for Emmylou Harris? Well, before you know it, we’d have our own Branson, Missouri,’ ” Cornelius said. “I never stopped thinking about that.
“Willie goes all over the country, and he’s been to every truck stop,” Cornelius said. “His goal is to make Carl’s Corner the ultimate truck stop.”
Chief among Nelson’s directives is that Willie’s Place at Carl’s Corner become a model for biodiesel truck stops.
“If we get this one up and going well, we’ll see others,” Nelson said. “I’d love to see hundreds like this on the interstates.”
Austin author Joe Nick Patoski, who penned the Nelson biography “An Epic Life,” said two things about the new Carl’s Corner are especially impressive.
“They have their own biodiesel refinery, where farmers can come and turn their crops into fuel,” Patoski said. “And having (XM radio announcer) Eddie Kilroy broadcasting from here is going to be a real draw.”
Fans can watch Kilroy’s “Willie’s Place” show come together from his glass booth.
Besides the Willie Nelson Theater and a smaller Whiskey River Saloon, the not-quite-finished truck stop will soon feature a restaurant, showers, a laundry, overnight parking for trucks and RVs, a general store and the biggest Nelson souvenir and gift shop in existence.
But Cornelius said the connection with his old friend Nelson is what sets his truck stop apart.
“Without Willie, none of this would be possible,” he said.
Nelson and family host their traditional Fourth of July Picnic today at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Selma.
Photo of the Freddie Powers Band performing courtesy of Waco Tribune-Herald
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By George Ragsdale
July 4, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Burning corn or grain for fuel is not a very bright idea. Raises world food prices and the cost of spirit beverages.
George Ragsdale Puerto Vallarta, Mexico