Marijuana Law Reform was Cooking at the Austin FreedomFest Friday Night

Marijuana Law Reform was Cooking at the Austin FreedomFest Friday Night


Chris Goldstein- NORML's Podcaster
www.normlaudiostash.com
8-11-07


Austin, TX- In traditional Texas summer heat, Willie Nelson and some of Austin's legends of Country-Western music took the stage in a call for marijuana legalization. The Auston Freedom Fest benefit was held to put money into the pockets of groups working to end prohibition.

Emceed by NORML Advisory Board member and former Dallas Cowboy Mark Stepnoski, the top-notch musical acts were interspersed with some of the most recognizable personalities in the marijuana law reform movement. Keith Stroup from NORML, Rob Kampia from MPP and Valerie Corral from WAMM all spoke to a receptive crowd at the Backyard in Austin.

Turnout neared the capacity for the 5200 seat venue, with Security estimating over 4000 in attendance.

The show opened with the group The Folk Yous, who featured some hilarious and irreverent songs like "If you Love me Knock me Up".

Then some Austin locals took the stage: Megan Tubb played polished, upbeat blues rock with a nice kick to it. Then Carolyn Wonderland brought her signature voice and presence to the event belting out tunes like Annie's Scarlet Letter . Her sincerity and talent poured into the set as she played multiple instruments from Guitar to Trumpet. Wonderland showed off exactly why her sound has earned praise from HoustonTX to Europe..

Jackie "The Joke Man Martling" was in particularly good form keeping the crowd up between band changes with his endless supply of quick humor.

Willie's daughter Paula Nelson brought her band to the stage with their original country influenced rock. The tall, blonde local favorite filled the air with both ballad and grit.

Then came the heavy hitters- Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel followed by Willie.

Benson is a consummate professional and "The Wheel" (as they're known locally) cruised through a set of their high energy Texas swing which also had some interesting rock jam elements that nearly bordered on Jazz. The deep baritone voice of Ray Benson was cool and steady on the steamy night. Vocalist/guitar player Elizabeth McQueen added some sweet notes to the set as well. Their fiddle player Jason Roberts is particularly talented and was totally at-ease adding the Texas twang or breaking into fusion-styled solos.

After the heat of he day had settled a bit and the stars climbed into the haze ,Willie stepped out wearing a blue t-shirt with a large NORML logo on the front and launched into an electrifying, crowd pleasing set that lasted over an hour. The songs included some his most popular like Crazy, Whisky River and Me and Paul. Then Willie offered some newly minted tunes that had a poltical edge like Take Back America. The crowd loved every minute of Nelson's performance. Young and old and alike cheered, yelled, whooped, hollered, danced and let clouds of sweet smelling smoke roll over them in the TX night. After Willie ended out the set he stayed on stage to sign posters and autograph CDs.

NORML, MPP and WAMM received many cheers of support, with Willie and the other performers continually reminding the audience of the meaning of the Freedom Fest, encouraging all in the crowd to get involved with cannabis law reform.

A Concert like the Austin FreedomFest is the bread and butter of country and it represents and important turning point in the involvement of music celebrities.

Country-Western and Blues-Rock are musical genres that swell thier following through the live performances ...people coming out to hear the musicans and songs they love in a club, stadium or regional venue. Country thrives because it is alive, every night, on stage. Reform could thrive through more frequent live events as well.

Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel is on the advisory Board of MPP and Willie sits on the advisory board of NORML. One can not overlook the inherent relationship of marijuana in American music. That realtionship is vital and strong in Country. One thing is for sure- If every Willie Nelson fan in America were as serious about legalizing cannabis as Willie is himself, prohibition would be over faster than sweat breaks out in Austin.

A Special NORML Audio Stash Podcast with recordings from the concert will air next week at www.normlaudiostash.com



DaBronx