Haha! I probably do sound a bit harsh! But I can’t deny I find Willie Nelson grating for a wild variety of reasons. As I’m from a family with a long history in rural Texas, and intensely versed in redneck culture, I’ve always found Willie Nelson about as representative of that redneck culture as John Travolta in “Urban Cowboy.” There’s a sort of phony, faux-populism with him which I tend to particularly loathe (along with the dope-pothead angle). Tends to remind me somewhat of Bruce Springsteen putting on that whole fake ‘blue-collar’ guise for the crowds, while he wines and dines with cultural and political lefties. I think that’s why Willie Nelson seems to get under my skin so much.
But it’s also true I just don’t like the ‘sound’ of his singing voice. I go for smooth-sounding vocalists. Heck, for similar reasons, I don’t even like Billie Holiday’s voice, either. Same sort of thing. Anyway, enjoy your Willie get-togethers, and don’t mind me!
I have similar attitudes towards Kris Kristofferson. He plays up and makes a lot of money with that “I’m a long tall Texan” routine when in truth he’s a liberals liberal and proud of it.
Ofcourse he and Willie are big buds!
U need to understand that I’m a “willie tolerator” and perhaps an apologist, up to 3-4 beers them I become a fan!
After 6-8, I love him!