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by ALLISON CASEY
Lifestyles Editor
With a raspy voice and a red bandana, Willie Nelson is on the road again, this time making a stop in Boone.
The country star, famous for his outlaw attitude, will play The George M. Holmes Convocation Center Feb. 19 as part of the “Willie and the Wheel” tour, presented by the Appalachian Popular Programming Society’s Concerts Council.
“Willie Nelson
could sing the phonebook and it would sound good,” Student Programs
Manager Randy Kelly said. “He’s just got one of those voices.”
Nelson will play with no opening act, but backed by Asleep at the Wheel, a Texas swing group.
“He’s a
cowboy,” Chris M. Cloonan, APPS Concerts chairperson said. “Him and
Johnny Cash, they really made an impression on me. That Americana folk
sound is experience based, you may not know who or what but that
emotion is translated into the lyrics.
It’s got a family feeling, and that’s one thing this area thrives on.”
About 10 years ago, Nelson played in Kidd Brewer Stadium to a crowd of 8,000, the largest concert in Boone’s history.
Nelson,
who has had a guitar in hands since age 7, has released over 70 albums,
acted in 12 movies and written or co-written 20 books since 1962.
“This is
one of those shows that hits home,” Cloonan said. “It’s definitely
going to bridge the gap between the university and the surrounding
areas. It’s going to show we might do things differently, but one thing
we really care about is music, and the foundations of music.”
Despite
past difficulties selling tickets for large shows, Kelly anticipates
Nelson’s popularity will sell about 4,000 tickets of the 5,800
allotted.
The council set up a three-tier ticket price system so everyone could afford to go to the concert.
“The
worst seat in the house is still two-thirds as far back as an arena in
Greensboro,” Kelly said. “You can throw a ball from the worst seat and
hit the stage.”
Tickets are $35 for floor seats, $28 for lower level seats and $22 for upper level seats.
“$22 for Willie Nelson, for me-it’s a no brainer,” Cloonan said.
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