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Willie’s Fourth of July Picnic: Ray, Ray and Ray
FORT WORTH —- Ray Price’s years are really starting to show in his slow shuffle toward the microphone, but the crowd at Billy Bob’s loves him even more for it. A roar greeted songs like “Heartaches by the Number” and “Crazy Arms.” And his voice reached for old heights on “A Way To Survive.”
It’s always good to see a legend get the respect he deserves. Even better to not to have to watch him struggle in the heat. With two indoor stages, the Picnic is not the survival struggle it has been, and the music in some cases has benefited from it.
Still, outside the spirit was right. It’s not a real Willie Picnic to you see two upstretched arms, a giant turkey leg in one hand, a can of beer in the other and a head in the middle shouting “whooo!” It was Ray Wylie Hubbard who got that reception, making the most of his prime-time slot.
“Snake Farm” and “Screw You (We’re From Texas)” were well-received, but everyone sang along with “Redneck Mother” — a Picnic tradition if there ever was one. Hubbard’s son, Lukas, looked a little bored with that song though. Maybe because it’s not worthy of his guitar wizardry. Or maybe because he’s heard it his entire life.
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel were involved in the Picnic’s first delay. But it was only 10 minutes before “Miles and Miles of Texas” and “Bob Wills is Still the King.” We also got our second rendition of “Faded Love” in less than an hour.
Ray Price did it better.
Update: The surprise performance will be Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen.
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Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Willie Nelson
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By Gunter
July 5, 2011 9:00 AM | Link to this
I think there is one thing we can all agree on, and that a lot of that music has not stood the test of time. It is time to put those old bulls out to pasture, and start focusing on the new music. I am so glad that ACL fest in Austin does not pull out those dinosaurs to put on display, and that they have accepted the new music classics from Artists such as Cee Lo, DeadMau5, and the Texas born, Arcade Fire. Now that folks, is some REAL music. You old rednecks should give it a try….
By Ray
July 5, 2011 11:55 AM | Link to this
Screw you Gunter. Go back to Germany or whatever you euro-trash. Just keep to yerself.
By jimmi
July 6, 2011 7:44 AM | Link to this
Gunter, Nobody’s shoving music in your ears. Get over yourself. Listen to what you listen to and enjoy. Return the favor to others.