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Willie Nelson gets his reward
The Hollywood posse that included the Wilson Brothers, Woody Harrelson and Jessica Simpson — in town to shoot Willie Nelson’s music video of “You Don’t Think I’m Funny Anymore” — did not make an appearance at the Erwin Center dinner honoring the musician for his peace efforts Friday. But Austin musicians, academics, sports leaders and media figures saluted Nelson as he accepted the first Bridging Divides award for conflict resolution.
“He’s the antenna of the age in terms of socially engaged artists,” said Gavin Garcia, executive director of Humanitarians Engaged in Respectful Dialogue, the nonprofit group that sponsored the event in conjunction with the University of Texas. “He’s made a huge footprint in the peace and conflict area.”
Also lionized in the center’s Lone Star Room was Madeline Maxwell, the School of Communications professor who helped start the UT Project on Conflict Resolution.
The highlight of the evening was a surprise performance of the Nelson-penned “A Peaceful Solution” by five of his six children.
“It all came from a dream I had,” said Amy Nelson, among the most musical of the siblings. “Or at least the title did.”
The song has already been recorded by more than 60 artists. (That’s Paula bussed by her daddy, with Jimmie Dale Gilmore sharing the stage.)
Gilmore and his son Colin — now a regular team on the benefit circuit — performed, as did Ray Wylie Hubbard and the Lucky Tomblin Band. Coaching legends Darrell Royal and Jody Conradt were also in attendance, as was documentary maker Andrew Shapner, director of “Before the Music Dies,” who was filming his comic take on spiritual philosophy, “Happiness Is …”
A video tribute to Nelson included praise for his independence and humanitarian efforts from Dennis Hopper, Bob Dylan and regular fans, including farmers who have benefited from Farm Aid.
Evan Smith, perhaps the town’s most recognizable emcee and editor of Texas Monthly, announced that Nelson would, for his upcoming 75th birthday, appear on the magazine’s cover for a record seventh time, just beating out his sometime political target, President George Bush.
Photos by Jay Janner
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