WILLIE NELSON and ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL at Waterloo Records 2-26-09

Ok, this was billed as an in-store performance by Asleep At The Wheel only. However, since they just released a new record called Willie And The Wheel, a joint collaboration of Western Swing, and Willie lives just outside Austin, many were hopeful. All day rumours were rampant on Facebook. Waterloo's page mentioned a very special guest showing up and that was all they could say.
For in-stores where Waterloo expects a big crowd, it works like this: you can go to the store any time that day, buy a cd and get a wristband. Buy 2 cds, get 2 wristbands, etc... The in-stores start at 5pm. At 4:30 they clear the store and those with wristbands form one line and those without form another. Wristbands go in first for prime viewing and then people without wristbands get to enter.
My friend James and I got there about 3:30. James bought 2 cds and gave me his extra wristband. We went next door to Waterloo Ice House, had a cold one and waited to line up. At this time I should mention everybody knew it was going to happen. The Wheel's bus was already parked but they had the orange cones in place holding a spot for another bus to pull in.
At 4:50pm the 2nd bus arrived and shortly thereafter a roadie walked in with the guitar that is unmistakeably Willie's. At 5:10 The Wheel took the stage. They played 2 songs, "Miles and Miles of Texas" and "Route 66." During the 3rd song, which I don't remember what it was, Willie walked in. At that point it didn't matter what that song was because it got completely drowned out by the crowd going nuts.
Willie welcomed everybody and he and The Wheel settled in. Usually these in-stores last 30 minutes, 45 tops. Not this one. They played for an hour! Much of the new record was played, and being in Austin, they played Townes Van Zandt's classic, "Pancho and Lefty." Willie did several guitar solos and seemed to be having a great time. He was very warm, smiling often and chatty with the audience.
It was pretty wild to have him in a little record store, playing songs, for free. And don't forget, Waterloo provides free beer for these shows, also!
Afterward, Willie hung around, signed everything and anything and posed for photos. He couldn't have been any nicer.
The guy is a living legend. I don't believe anywhere else on earth this could happen except Austin.