Willie Nelson’s Super Bowl 2023 business and long love of
At 89, Willie Nelson is currently entrenched as an American music icon. Simply last week, he was revealed as a nominee for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, prior to winning his 11th Grammy this previous Sunday for “Live Forever,” his tribute album to his buddy, the late singer-songwriter Billy Joe Shaver.But on Sunday, he
discovers himself again near the center of the television universe. Nelson stars in a Super Bowl commercial for the 2nd straight year, along with another old pal, Snoop Dogg, and Martha Stewart, in an area for BIC’s brand-new EZ Reach lighters. Snoop and Willie starring in a wink-wink lighter commercial on the most significant broadcast stage isn’t much of a stretch for the 2 old pals who have recorded songs together for each other’s albums, including the most notable, “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Pass away.”
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“It’s been a great deal of fun, naturally,” Nelson told ESPN today. “… it’s constantly fun hanging out with him. We did a tune one time: ‘I have actually had all my medication, it’s half past 10. We’re just sitting around waiting on something to kick in.'”
And yet, that image of the long-haired, pot-smoking hippie might not seem a natural fit with football. But true to his Texas roots, football has been a major part of his life too, starting with playing in his home town of Abbott in Central Texas.
“I played a lot of football for the Abbott Panthers,” Nelson said. “I had a little ol’ thin helmet on. It resembled using a sock on my head and we used a bunch of rocks out there. So I’m surprised I made it through the game.”
While he never ever played beyond high school, Nelson would wind up making a substantial effect on the Texas Longhorns, becoming one of legendary Texas coach Darrell Royal’s closest buddies.
Willie Nelson had a long relationship with Texas coach Darrell Royal and the Longhorns. Eric Gay/AP
Royal, the straight-laced football coach who ran a tight ship of clean-cut players, raised lots of eyebrows around UT due to his close relationship with Nelson, the criminal country leader. Yet the two were almost inseparable. Nelson played shows for Longhorn players prior to the 1969, 1970 and 1971 Cotton Bowls.The 2 had actually
met in the 1950s, when Nelson was a bit player in lineups that would play in Austin. Royal, who matured in the Great Anxiety in Oklahoma, was a dedicated fan of heartbreak tunes, appreciated great lyrics, and was drawn to Nelson’s songwriting. Their friendship truly evolved after Nelson moved back to Austin in the late 1960s. In the 1970s, Nelson turned into one of Earl Campbell’s best friends when the legendary Heisman trophy-winning running back starred for the Longhorns and then the Houston Oilers.
“I followed him around and we hung out together a lot,” Nelson said. “He was an excellent player and became a buddy of mine.”
Royal was well-known for holding “pickin’ celebrations” in his hotel suites, at the Vacation Home Capri in Austin, or in his rooms on the road. Royal would turn on a lamp, and everybody in the suite would need to sit silently and listen to the songs, or would face Royal’s wrath.Royal and Nelson are due a lot of credit for establishing Austin as a music fortress, with Royal legitimizing Nelson with the more conservative football crowds and Nelson bringing people of all types together, like at the legendary Armadillo World Head office in 1972.”When I walked into the Armadillo for Willie’s first show, I was shocked, “Eddie Wilson, the storied place’s owner, told Texas Monthly.”All our hippies were there, however the walls were lined with UT football players.”Royal and Nelson became household. Nelson sang”Healing Hands of Time”for Royal and his partner, Edith, after the deaths of 2 of their kids nine years apart. He would check out Royal’s assisted living facility and sing gospel songs for him when he was wracked with Alzheimer’s. When the coach passed away in 2013, Nelson carried out”Recovery Hands” one more time at his funeral.Top stories of the week from Get unique access to more than 3,000 premium posts a year from top authors. – NCAA tourney bubble watch for CBB”- CFB’s best 10 transfer classes”- Miller: Two-round NFL mock draft “More ESPN+material””It recommended the coach, “
Nelson said with respect toward his late good friend this week.Nelson continues going, bearing down on his 90th birthday while still visiting often, because he can’t quit working. Or completing. After maturing playing every sport he could
, he became a black belt in numerous forms of martial arts, consisting of becoming a fifth-degree black belt in Korean combined martial arts.Nelson is still a huge football fan, and is anticipating Sunday’s game and his surreal commercial. But while the expression”Willie Nelson’s Super Bowl Party “may summon wild images, he stated he really just is more likely to be hanging
out with his other half seeing the game. “It’s simply me and Annie, sitting around laughing a lot,”he said.After that, he’s back at it, with a turning point. He has actually made 150 albums with another due out in early March.On April 29-30, he’ll mark his birthday with a party at the Hollywood Bowl, with a definitely packed lineup, consisting of Chris Stapleton, Kasey Musgraves, Neil Young
, Lyle Lovett, Sheryl Crow, Tom Jones, the Avett Brothers and more.And naturally, Snoop will exist.
It’ll be a massive celebration with a diverse lineup fitting of a guy who has actually brought people together for almost a century.”I do not see any reason to ever give up, “Nelson said. “I stopped after every tour. And then I retire a while
then say, ‘OK, let’s go do it again.’I have actually come out of retirement about 100 times.”