Published: September 22, 2009 11:37 pm      

It’s Willie time!

Fans appreciate Ashland performance

Ashland — Willie Nelson fans turned out for Tuesday evening’s sold-out show at the Paramount Arts Center hoping to hear a few of their favorites, and the country music legend delivered with a non-stop string of hits.

“I know I would like to hear him play ‘Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.’ You know he never plays that one,” said Helen Riley of Proctorville, a Willie Nelson fans who has traveled to his shows “anytime he’s close enough.”

Riley, who attended the Ashland show with her husband Gary, added, “None of my friends like him.”

Connie Davis, Laura Moore and Jane Nelson of Ashland bought their tickets as a birthday gift for Moore. The trio said they most wanted to hear Nelson play “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain,” as well as “Whiskey River” and “Seven Spanish Angels.”

Seated alongside the ladies before the concert began, Dorothy Ernest of Charleston said she was sure Nelson would play “On the Road Again,” and hoped to hear another of his more recognizable tunes.

“Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain — He can really sing that one too,” Ernest commented.

Near the theater’s back door, father and son, Travis Cook and Nesmer Cook, carried a guitar and gathered autographs on the instrument, including the signature of Billy Joe Shaver, who opened the show.

Gary and Ann Caldwell of Ashland said their son bought their tickets for the evening. He hoped to hear Nelson play “Pancho and Lefty,” while she said the song selections would all be fine with her.

“I’ll be dancing,” she explained.

Also waiting to get in, Sarah Harris remembered seeing Nelson in concert during the 1960s.

“That was when he wore suits and ties and I haven’t seen him since,” she said. “I just enjoy the sound of his voice.”

Steven and Janet Shields of Flatwoods wore the T-shirts they bought at Nelson’s 2007 appearance in Huntington.

“I’ve liked him for years,” she said, adding she hoped he would perform “Always on My Mind” during the Ashland performance.

“I grew up on him,” he added.

Wearing a cowboy hat and a Jimi Hendrix T-shirt, James Hardy of Ashland accompanied Olivia Johnson into the Paramount just before the lights dimmed. While it was the first Willie Nelson concert for both, Johnson said she truly grew up hearing his music.

“She had colic when she was a baby and her parents would play Willie Nelson to get her to sleep,” he explained.

After making a near-showtime entrance to the Paramount, Nelson hit the stage with force, backed by his sister Bobbi on piano, bassist Bee Spears, father and son percussionists, Paul and Billy English, and harmonica-legend Mickey Raphael. As the band launched into a rambling rendition of “Whiskey River,” a giant Texas state flag unfurled behind them, boosting the audience from their seats to their feet.

Nelson and the band followed up with fresh renditions of songs including “Crazy,” as well as “Night Life,” (reported to be the most covered sing in country music) and “Funny How Time Slips Away.”

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.