Willie's verging on washed up and probably hasn't salted any money away. This will focus some attention and sell a few CD's to another demographic. That is all he is up to, imo.
Not enough money to sail into the sunset so he plays the old hippie who can now reveal how he really feels.
As far as country music, I remember songs that were just as racy as anything on the radio these days. Unless you caome up with sonething else you're doing "down by the lake countin' the stars where the cool grass grows" for example.
Quite possible. It wasn't that many years ago that he was broke and owing the IRS millions of dollars because of a crooked accountant (who may have taken Willie's money to boot).>P> Whatever the cause of Willie's financial situation, any more he has now is recent receipts from publishing (songwriter/etc,) and touring.