Check out Joe Nick's website here: joenickp.com/ And buy his books here: www.bookpeople.com/search/apachesolr_search/Patoski

I lived in Austin for a year or so in 1973, 1974, 18 years old . . Austin was pretty cool back then. Armadillo World Headquarters, etc . . not ANYTHING like today. Was at the Broken Spoke Saloon one evening and Willie walked in with 4 or 5 people, got up and played the rest of the night with the band. Memorable to be sure. Thanks for posting great videos, Otis!

The history being told is music to our ears..I can picture Willie playing at the Ford dealership and having a blast.

Joe was great on the Stevie Ray Vaughan biography 'the Rise of a Texas Bluesman'. Great, straight up memories. Thanks Otis.

Thanks Joe Nick.... you're the messenger on this one!!🎵🔥🎶🎵🔥🎵

I saw this through the Allman Bros., 1971, then 1974, Lynyrd Skynyrd, 1978, Willie Nelson in my neck of the woods. We were seeing them all in arenas, and coliseums, all huge venues. When Willie came to Hilton Coliseum in 1978 everybody was talking about the big Jerry Jeff concert. Jerry Jeff was opening for Willie. Things changed quickly after that.

nothin better than hearing Ottis' chuckle in the background... you get that, I'm getting a chance to peek into the top tier music playin and lovin people's show... thank you for sharing!! blessings

Joe lays it all out and explains it. At this point in time not everyone is around anymore to tell it like it was.

Johnny Gimble could hold his own in a jam situation. His playing on Dickey Betts " Highway Call " is phenomenal.

This is awesome stuff Otis

Just bought Willie Nelson - Live at The Texas Opry House, 1974. 3 vinyl copies still in stock on Amazon.

Preach it Brother Joe...

I was fortunate to be at the 1st outside Dripping Springs and the 3rd on the outskirts of Liberty Hill. It wasn't a 4th picnic, but I did go to one at Bull Creek. All of them were magical, but so glad I missed College Station!

REKs Picnic album is one my favorites. Never knew about the burning car cover.

I got invited to a local celebrities 80th birthday jam down at his place down the street, I've seen most of the big bands live, they don't compare to awesome musicians having fun

Thanks Gentleman

I saw both Dead '71 and Allmans 1 month before Duane died. Same tour.

Thanks Otis great stuff...

I followed the Dead across most of the country (from RFK to Denver ) for their '91 tour and it was truly amazing to see a completely different show each night. Every show was a new experience and I know Willie's shows were just like that. As I've gotten older I realize many folks want the same structured song every night but to me nothing brings joy me like throwing beautiful (not necessarily perfect) music out into the universe and seeing what happens. Usually joy happens. Thanks for story, Joe and the work, Otis.

Incredible story thank you Otis !

I think the jazz guitar work that Jackie King did with willie was amazing. Willie has always had great players.

This is what is good about the internet.

I wish I could have gone to one of those

Otis I wish you would interview Lloyd Green next time your in Nashville he's got tons of great stories

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Great piece. Thanks.

Joe Nick, our man in Marfa; hear his show tonite. sat. i wear our Boyde Elder artist Eagles trubite tee shirt , as they hung out with Crossby.

Oddly enough this video was interrupted by a Ford ad. 😄

I missed Dripping Springs the first. And Gonzales on purpose!! But Liberty Hill and Bryan-College Station was crazy. Made UT Stadium in Austin. Met my wife in 1980 @ Willies Pedernales Country Club on the golf course across the road from Luck, Texas where Will lives today @ almost 90 years old!! I named my first born Willie Austin Fridell after him!! Long Live Willie Hugh Nelson.

Would’ve given anything to have seen that show!🎧

Love Joe Nick. (Hey man, remember I told you about this cat named Otis with the KZfaq channel a coupla years ago...?? )😂Great stories. Thanks to you both for sharing...

Willie had his "77" "picnic" in Tulsa

Great episode-does Joe NIck remember who was playing steel at the Austin show?

I attended Willie's picnic in 1978, at Arrowhead in Kansas City. I was surrounded by pot smoking farmers in bib overalls who had never heard of the Grateful Dead. They blew everybody else off the stage and those rednecks loved them! Of course, they played way too long and pissed off Willie and the other bands.