vuduchyld -> RE: Why they invented Golpe plates! (Dec. 12 2011 22:03:41)
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quote:
The only thing I like about Willie is his guitar soloing, I think he's an amazingly overrated person in many respects, but his guitar playing is soulful. He's also quite a stinker when it comes to honesty and money in playing "benefit" concerts. But that is another story. People act like this guy is an angel and he's really a business man who sells the "Willie brand". Sorry all you Europeans who admire him, he's ok, but .... Wow...news to me. I've never heard ANYTHING about him being dishonest when it comes to benefit concerts. I have a family friend (actually, recently departed) who worked reasonably closely with Willie on the NORML board. He absolutely adored Willie as a person. That's not to say that he doesn't charge for performing his profession...maybe he does, but I wouldn't begrudge him that. My understanding, again, through this recently departed close connection, is that Willie does much more for organizations than simply play a guitar. He actually serves on boards for several organizations, including, I believe, a stint as President of the Farm Aid board. I know he worked really hard for NORML...but of course the mission is truly personal with that. He does have a brand. Personally, I think it's GREAT that he chooses the organizations he works with based on what is meaningful to that brand. I'm guessing that these are also meaningful to him personally. I know he's worked with bio-diesel organizations and animal welfare organizations in addition to his work with Farm Aid and NORML. There are also some benefits he's done that seem outside of his normal sphere...like earthquake relief in Japan or Asian tsunami relief. This guy has a worldwide name...and if that name brings in dollars for these organizations, again, I don't see how it's problematic if he is reimbursed. But maybe that's just me. I admire the work he's done....though I'm from Oklahoma, not Europe, so I'm pretty geographically close to Willie in Texas. If you have more information on Willie's transgressions, I'm really curious to know more. I'm sure there aren't too many famous folk who haven't ruffled a few feathers or failed to give people what they considered to be their rightful due...but I've never heard or read anything at all about Willie being anything less than incredibly generous with his chosen causes. Of course, I'm familiar with his IRS issues. I don't suppose he was blameless, but I'd also suspect the accountants weren't, either. And I think he's been free and clear on that for about 20 years. So...do tell!
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