Willie Nelson's "Red Headed Stranger" turns 50, and Garland preparations for celebration ensue.
Willie Nelson's Iconic Album: A Garland Legacy
Half a century ago, in the heart of Texas, an outlaw country legend recorded an album that would change the course of his career and the face of country music. This weekend, Garland pays tribute to Willie Nelson's groundbreaking work, Red Headed Stranger – an album that helped shape the man's legendary nickname and emboldened the outlaw country movement.
This two-day celebration includes screenings of the movie Red Headed Stranger and an array of music events featuring North Texas artists. The pièce de résistance is the ticketed tribute concert, where performers from various genres come together to bring Nelson's legendary album to life.
"It's an incredible honor for Texas to recognize this city as the birthplace of this iconic album," says Ray Benson, a Western swing musician and long-time friend of Nelson. The pair have known each other for over five decades, meeting in Garland when Nelson dropped by to see Benson perform with his band Asleep at the Wheel.
"Friendship, joints, and music," Benson reminisces, "That's what it's all about."
Benson is one of five featured artists who will be performing music from the celebrated album. Originally composed by Edith Lindeman and Carl Stutz in the 1950s, Red Headed Stranger is a concept album centered around the song of the same name.
A Stripped-Down Success Story
Record executives initially dismissed Nelson's unconventional production techniques, but they were proven dead wrong. His reign as the King of Red Headed Strangers began with his sultry cover of "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," which earned him his first No. 1 hit as a singer and his first Grammy.
"Not only can he craft No. 1 hits and timeless music," Benson acknowledges, "but Willie can redefine other artists' songs in a way that only he can."
Max and Heather Stalling, Rhett Miller, and Joshua Ray Walker will join Benson for a tribute concert, where the album will be performed in its entirety. "I've always avoided performing Willie's songs out of respect for his signature style, but this is a rare opportunity to honor his musical legacy," Walker admits.
The Unmistakable NelsonVibe
The longevity of Red Headed Stranger serves as a testament to Nelson's enduring influence over country music.
"The album's unique production was met with skepticism at first, but its success proved that artistry and storytelling could have a profound impact on the genre," Walker explains.
Autumn Sound Studios, now known as Audio Dallas, offers limited tours of the space where Nelson recorded Red Headed Stranger, The Sound in Your Mind and The Family Bible. The Texas Music Office will also award Garland with its music-friendly community certification as a nod to the city's role in preserving this musical legacy.
Red Headed Stranger film screening 7 p.m. May 16 at Plaza Theatre, Garland. $15 admission.
Red Headed Stranger "Fringe Concert Series" 3 p.m. May 17 at Intrinsic Brewery, Fortunate Son, and Dead Wax Records, Garland. Free admission.
Red Headed Stranger 50th Anniversary Tribute Concert 8 p.m. May 17 at Granville Arts Center, Garland. $75-$105 tickets.
This celebration not only honors Willie Nelson's contributions to country music but also emphasizes the importance of Garland in shaping the genre's history. Arts Access, an arts journalism collaboration powered by The Dallas Morning News and KERA, brings you this story.
This community-funded journalism initiative is supported by the Better Together Fund, Carol & Don Glendenning, City of Dallas OAC, The University of Texas at Dallas, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Eugene McDermott Foundation, James & Gayle Halperin Foundation, Jennifer & Peter Altabef, and The Meadows Foundation. The News and KERA retain full editorial control of Arts Access' journalism.
"The 50th Anniversary Tribute Concert at the Granville Arts Center on May 17 will feature performances from various genres, honoring the iconic album Red Headed Stranger and its impact on both music and the community."
"The singing of Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain by Willie Nelson, a song from the album Red Headed Stranger, marked the start of his reign as the King of Red Headed Strangers and demonstrated his ability to redefine other artists' songs in a unique way."
