Fresh off four Grammy nominations, country superstar Willie Nelson sat down for a rare interview to discuss his latest work and what’s ahead as he prepares to perform alongside his sons on Maui on Dec. 23. — JAMES MINCHIN photo
“On the Road Again” for superstar Willie Nelson still means serenading as many fans as he can traveling America’s highways, performing his beloved songs. Even at the age of 89, this American icon is busier and more productive than most artists half his age.
He’s returning to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Dec. 23 after receiving four nominations for the 65th annual Grammy Awards, for three albums, “A Beautiful Time,” “The Willie Nelson Family” and “Live Forever: A Tribute To Billy Joe Shaver.” He’s up for Best Country Song, Best Country Album, Best Country Solo Performance and Best Roots Gospel Album. Over the years, he’s been nominated 57 times and won 10 Grammys.
Look him up on Amazon, and you can find around a dozen of his albums that have either been released or re-released in different configurations in the last two years.
Taking time for a rare interview while on Maui, he talked about his latest album “A Beautiful Time,” his love for the island, his sons Lukas and Micah Nelson, who will join him at the MACC, and his admiration for Lily Meola.
Filled with ruminations on life on songs like the title track of “A Beautiful Time,” one of his most striking original songs on the album, “Energy Follows Thought,” is a potent affirmation of the power of intention and the importance of being mindful and listening for guidance. Influenced early on reading Norman Vincent Peal’s book “The Power of Positive Thinking,” he devoted a chapter to this metaphysical concept in his most recent book “Letters to America.”
“That was just a thought I had that energy follows thought and how important it is and to imagine what you want,” Nelson explained. “I think if there is a key or a secret to life, it would be to imagine what you want. And then the second part, get out of the goddamned way.”
Among the highlights, he breathes new life into a Beatles’ gem, transforming “With a Little Help From My Friends,” into an evocative country classic.
“I’ve always loved that song,” Nelson said. “I think (producer) Buddy (Cannon) suggested maybe we do it. I said, yeah, let’s do it.”
The country legend will be joined at the MACC concert by his sons Micah Nelson, who performs as the Particle Kid, and Lukas Nelson with his band Promise of the Real.
On his recent Outlaws Music Festival tour, Willie Nelson’s set list included songs by his sons, Lukas Nelson’s “(Forget About) Georgia” as well as the Particle Kid’s “Everything is Bull—-“ and “(Die When I’m High) Halfway to Heaven.”
In 2022, the Particle Kid released the double album “Time Capsule,” with guests including his dad (on the track “Amerikan Lyfe”) and Sean Ono Lennon. Also this year, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real backed Neil Young on the live album “Noise and Flowers,” and also backed New Orleans legend Dr. John on his last album before he passed. Promise of the Real will release a new album in 2023.
Their dad feels really proud of how his sons have creatively matured.
“I feel really blessed to have such great talented kids,” he said. “Somebody asked me one time, would you like for your kids to get up on stage and sing with you, and I said yeah, if they’re good.”
Each son has pursued a distinct musical path.
“They followed their own thoughts and wishes and took it their own way, and so far they’ve just been great,” he said.
Often teaming with their father, Lukas Nelson sang a moving version of George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” on “The Willie Nelson Family” gospel-flavored album, while Micah Nelson sang lead on “I Thought About You, Lord.” With some of the songs recorded during the pandemic, Texas Monthly praised it, saying, “The Nelson clan’s gospel album meets the grief and trauma of the pandemic with spirit and hope.”
Next up, fans will hear him on a forthcoming album of songs by Harlan Howard, who composed hits like “I Fall to Pieces.”
“He passed away last year,” Willie Nelson noted. “I did a whole album of Harlan Howard songs. He wrote a lot of great songs like ‘Busted’ (recorded by Ray Charles and Johnny Cash). That will be out whenever they think it’s time to put it out.”
As far as new compositions, he said, “I’m writing a little bit, but I’m a little more critical of myself than I should be, because I haven’t really written anything that knocks me out lately. You start comparing this one to another one that you wrote 50 years ago, and that’s really not good thinking, but it’s what we do.”
Making Maui a second home since the 1980s, Willie Nelson said he loves “the beauty of the scenery and the ocean. The people are great and the food’s great. What’s not to like?”
For a number of years, the Nelson family has championed Maui’s Lily Meola. She’s recorded with Willie and Lukas Nelson and they were all rooting for her during the “America’s Got Talent” auditions.
“She’s really part of the family, as far as we’re concerned,” Willie Nelson said. “We grew up with her folks and her mom on Maui for all these years. She’s a great talent. She’s got a fantastic voice, and she’s been out there working hard, sounding great and I’m really proud of her.”
Meola will perform, along with Lukas Nelson, at the Maui Songwriters Festival, Jan. 15-17, at the Grand Wailea Maui.
Contemplating mortality on “A Beautiful Time,” on his new song, “I Don’t Go to Funerals,” Willie Nelson sings about eventually joining old friends that have passed on like Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and Merle Haggard for a “big ol’ pickin’ party.”
As to any secret to his longevity, he suggested, laughing: “I don’t know, you know I’ve had many chances to blow that. But so far, I woke up again this morning, so who knows?”
The “Willie Nelson & Family” concert will be presented on Dec. 23 at the MACC’s A&B Amphitheater and Yokouchi Pavilion. The concert starts at 6:15 p.m. and gates open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $55, $65, $85, $125 and $195 (Gold Circle), plus applicable fees. Tickets are available online only at mauarts.org.
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