By R. David Shew
Mark it off my bucket list. John Mellencamp, Bob Dylan, and Willie Nelson in one night on the same stage. One of the best concerts ever. Riverbend, WBON, and Hospice thank you!
Bought four general admission tickets at a Hospice silent auction that were donated by WBON and WCYO 100.7 the Coyote. Almost forgot about it. Asked a couple friends to go and off to Riverbend.
Mellencamp, our Cougar in my book, brought the house down. It was almost the same set that he played at the EKU Center for the Arts a few months ago. For the record, it was well worth it. His band was fabulous and extremely tight as my musician buddies say.
Dylan played one of my favorite tunes. Please guess? His band was excellent. I am still waiting for someone to translate Dylan’s lyrics. He mumbles a lot but is a gifted songwriter.
Then came Willie. Yes, Willie Nelson. The King, as some say. Mellencamp at 72; Dylan at 87; and Willie singing and playing his beloved guitar at 91. That’s 250 years total.
Mellencamp started his set with “Ain’t Got No Friends” which was quite satirical to me. Of course, there was “Paper and Fire,” “Small Town,” “Jack and Diane,” “Scarecrow,” “Lonely Ol’ Night,” “Crumblin’ Down,” “Little Pink Houses,” and “Hurts So Good” as far as I can remember. John made Seymour; Indiana proud!
Dylan came on strong with “Everybody Wants To Get Stoned” and “Six Days On The Road.” After those two, Dylan kept right on singing and mumbling something.
To close the show, it was the senior citizen, or Willie. He came on stage, waved to the crowd, and sat down to play “Whiskey River” for his old friend Johnny Bush, the co-writer of this song with Rick Mitchell. “Whiskey River” has been sung by Willie in almost every concert since the early 70s. Johnny Bush lost his voice, and Willie paid tribute to his friend by putting the song on several albums and played it regularly at his concerts.
Then, “Stay A Little Longer” which is a tribute to Bob Wills who co-wrote the song with Tommy Duncan, a founding member of The Texas Playboys. “Workin’ Man Blues” was Willie’s tribute to Merle Haggard, and Willie was spot on. “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” was another tribute, but this time to Ed Bruce who wrote the song in 1975.
Willie’s songs were memorable including “Angels Falling Too Close To The Ground,” “On The Road Again,” “ Always On My Mind,” “Good Hearted Woman,” “Take The Ribbon From Your Hair,” “ Moving It On Over” for Hank Williams, “Georgia,” “Me and Bobby McGee” for buddy Kris Kristofferson, “Last Leaf On The Tree” from his 76th album set to be released in November 2024, “Roll Me Up And Smoke Me,” “Can The Circle Be Unbroken,” “I Will Fly Away,” and a Mac Davis original “Hard To Be Humble.”
Thank you again to Mellencamp, Dylan, and Willie. They are three of the best singers and songwriters that I have had the pleasure to hear in concert.
Willie, you will always be #1 on my playlist!
