Willie Nelson has weighed in on the debate over Syrian refugees. In front of a Washington, D.C., crowd, including a smattering of lawmakers, the 82-year-old “outlaw” musician sang that there’s “room for everyone” in America, after accepting the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize for Popular Song on Wednesday night.
“I think this is one of the most appropriate songs that we could do for this period in America,” Nelson told the crowd at Washington’s DAR Constitution Hall. “Many years ago, I recorded this song and I felt like this might be a good time to kind of try to bring it back.”
Bookended by his sons Lukas and Micah, Nelson then eased into 1986’s “Living in the Promiseland,” where he sang, “Give us your tired, your weak, and we will make them strong … There’s still a lot of love, living in the Promiseland.” At center stage, Nelson gave his variation of the poem found at the Statue of Liberty’s feet.
“Leave it to Willie: Only he can bring together Republicans and Democrats,” host Don Johnson said.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) gave Nelson a big thumbs-up, while GOP congresswoman Candice Miller smiled warmly. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) also smiled and clapped generally throughout, but House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), as spotted by NewsHour’s political director Lisa Desjardins, watched expressionless, mostly thumbed through his cell phone until the end of the song, when he clapped with the rest of the audience.
Only a man who once smoked weed atop the White House, according to Willie lore, could make a room with politicians slightly uncomfortable.
There was a standing ovation, but the crowd didn’t sit back down because Nelson ended the night with the thematic one-two punch, following up “Promiseland” with “On the Road Again,” one of his signature hits. If “Promiseland” was the plea for acceptance, Nelson’s proclamation that “The life I love is making music with my friends” is the goal realized.
Longtime friends and performers who paid tribute to the red-headed troublemaker at the beginning of the concert joined Nelson on stage to sing along in solidarity, including Neil Young, Rosanne Cash, Alison Krauss, Leon Bridges, Paul Simon, among others.........
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Poster Comment:
Forgive me, but I've never been able to stand his pirate parrot voice or his mangy gypsy looks. Now he's a total judas goat! Flush down Don Johnson, Neil Young, Rosanne Cash et al too, right? Oh, and Merle too:
The TOTAL PHONINESS of country stars (in particular) whoring for COMMIE BASTARD NYGGYR POLITICIANS is GAGGING. LIARS! CONS! TRAITORS! Just shows everybody has their price!
Famous for being famous, that's what he is IMHO. Forgive me, I meant to warn you I was full of strong, controversial opinions the day we met.