Centrepiece Online | Spring 2001

Mr. Record Man

“Incredible!”
That’s the near universal assessment of Centre’s Homecoming Gala with Willie Nelson. Although almost 70, the country-crossover legend performed for two and a half hours without a break and then signed autographs and visited with fans until 1 a.m.

“I cannot imagine a more gracious celebrity,” says Jamie Grider ’95, who has the autographed program to prove it.

Jennifer Deutsch Foery ’95 loved how the Norton Center “erupted” when Nelson played his signature tunes “On the Road Again” and “Whiskey River.”

“It’s funny to me that possibly the same group of folks that had to sit so quietly in that auditorium during the vice presidential debate were the ones clapping, yelling ‘Yee Haw,’ and singing aloud with complete abandon when Willie was on stage,” she says.

Nelson, known for such hits as “Crazy,” “Hello Walls,” and the aptly titled “Mr. Record Man,” has recorded more than 70 albums, and it seemed as if he played cuts from just about all of them for the appreciative Homecoming audience. No matter what one may think of his politics, it’s hard to deny that he’s a consummate showman.

“I was not a big fan walking into the show but I’d heard from a couple of Centre friends that his live shows were amazing,” says Andrew McNeill ’95. “Willie certainly didn’t disappoint. While his greatest-hit selections brought the subscription-series crowd to its feet, his lesser-known material showed me why he is a legend. From the Spanish-guitar groove to a blues sound worthy of Bob’s Goodtime in London, he took the crowd on a heckuva ride.”

Elizabeth Painter ’94 was also skeptical going into the concert but likewise found herself won over. “It was like Centre professors who get really excited about the subject they are teaching,” she says. “Even if you went into the class less than excited about the material, their enthusiasm was contagious.
You just couldn’t help but enjoy the experience.” And it wasn’t just the most recent graduates who had a good time. “Willie Nelson is an American icon and this concert proved it,” says Jen Beumel ’94.

“My husband and I took my 69-year-old mother (who has never been a fan of Willie), and she ended up dancing in the aisle.”

Lanny Gregory van Allen ’59 came all the way from Texas (Nelson’s home state) for the concert. “Certainly it was worth it,” she says. “Willie played everybody’s favorite songs, and then some. People enjoy and appreciate his unaffected, straightforward, distinctive style.”

In his online tour journal, Nelson’s son wrote, “Danville’s Norton Center for the Arts sold out almost immediately. Willie Nelson and Family took the audience on a trip through good times, heartaches, drinking, romance, break ups, youthful indiscretions and teaming up with the good Lord and our loved ones on the other side. . .” Photos of the on-its-feet Centre crowd even appear on the tour’s Web site.

In addition to the concert, Homecoming weekend included a number of other highlights, including awards, reunion parties, and a stunning, come-from-behind 25-21 football victory over No. 2 ranked Trinity University.

Homecoming 2001 will be held October 12-13. No word yet on the Homecoming Gala, but it’s bound to be a crowd-pleaser.
Centrepiece
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Danville, KY 40422

Phone: (859) 238-5717
Fax: (859) 238-5723
E-mail: alumnews@centre.edu or johnsond@centre.edu
Centrepiece
Centre College
600 W. Walnut St
Danville, KY 40422

Phone: (859) 238-5717
Fax: (859) 238-5723
E-mail: alumnews@centre.edu or johnsond@centre.edu