I met Willie Nelson...sorta'.

In my line of work I meet a lot of people.

Sometimes they are interesting. Unique, even. This last week was just one of those times.
Now before you start to wonder - those of you who know me, anyway - just how I came to meet Willie Nelson, I must confess that I didn't actually meet him in the flesh, or ponytail, so to speak.

Who I met was, well, his Tribute Band. Or Band guy.

Now this man is a musician who travels around in his van and performs as Willie Nelson. He doesn't sport the ponytail. At least, I don't think he does.  He had a ball cap on so I suppose he could have stuffed it up under his hat, but since where I work doesn't have a customer dress code that would lead him to do so, I figure stuffing said hair under his hat wouldn't make sense, so let's assume that he doesn't.  Doesn't have the ponytail. (Please try to keep up).

Taped neatly inside his vehicle are several photos of his travels and a few of the photos are of him standing with the infamous Mr. Nelson himself.  In our non business related conversation he reveals that he knew someone that knew Willie and that he took up on that friend's offer to meet Willie, being the huge fan that he was. This turned out to be a productive meeting, as he was not only blessed to meet the man but, after singing one of Mr. Nelson's songs for him, obtained his permission, his blessing, and his endorsement to perform as a Willie Nelson tribute performer.

Willie also autographed his guitars. That kind of sealed the deal, I guess.

Apparently Mr. Nelson told my customer that he looked more like Willie Nelson than Willie Nelson. I do have to admit that he (my customer) is about the same height (or so I'm told), tan coloring and hair color as the original. There were no musical samples given during our conversation, so I'll have to take him at his word that he sounds like Willie when singing his songs.
I asked if Willie Nelson is as generous a person as I have heard him to be. All you have to do is be old enough to remember the Farm Aid concerts held at Carl's Corners, Texas down off I-35 to know just how philanthropic Mr. Nelson can be. When he had his own financial troubles, the grass roots fan base held concerts and fundraisers in return.

I catch myself digressing.

My customer launched in response to my question into an answer that could have been a political campaign manager's introductory speech for his candidate. He told me how how Willie Nelson is not only generous, but extremely smart, and how he had written several books in addition to having appeared in several movies. He also will be completely honest with you and will always tell you what he thinks, regardless if he thinks you will like his opinion or not, said my customer.

Well, so much for Mr. Nelson ever successfully running for office. Too honest and too ready to speak his mind. (This fact conflicts with the license plate frame message on the customer's van, which reads "WILLIE NELSON FOR PRESIDENT").

With my line of work also being, at times, a hectic one, we cut short our little friendly sharing of social tidbits and bade each other adieu.

(Record-player-needle-sliding-across-vinyl-sound). Wait a minute. That don't fit. That dog won't hunt.

Since we were starting to get busier than a one legged man in an ass kicking contest, we shook hands and said "have a good one" and he drove off in his van of music and stories, the telephone pole impression still on the spare tire cover mounted on the back.

Now that's more like it. The initial ending of the story within the story. (Please try to keep up).

So since I now know so much about Mr. Nelson, it is kinda like I did meet him. Now if you're wondering why I don't stop being a cheapskate and just buy a ticket to one of his concerts, the reason I don't do so is, well...

I'm more of a Classic Rock guy.