But Willie Nelson has always had a special place in my heart.
Yet he is a prolific songwriter, and one of the most naturally gifted artists Ive ever known.
He once said to me, Good or bad, I just have to keep writing songs.
Don Mischer and Willie NelsonCourtesy of Don Mischer
Hes written 337 of them and 25 were number one hits.
He could sing on any stage and with anyone.
We filmed him drifting down the Rio Grande singing Down Mexico Way with jazz guitarist Jackie King.
Willie Nelson
Carls Corners was an infamous truck stop between Dallas and Austin known for its raucous truckers.
A one street town not far from the Mexican border in a spectacular desert setting.
I decided to fly there a day earlier with a production coordinator to survey locations.
We chartered a tiny two engine prop plane and took off from Austin to get us to Lajitas.
Mid-flight we found ourselves flying into violent Texas thunderstorms.
Our plane was being whipped around like a ping pong ball in a wind tunnel.
Not even a porta potty.
The desk clerk answered, Ok!
I grew up in Texas with these varmints, so no surprise for me.
But David and the guys from Los Angeles were totally freaked out and very jumpy!
The shoot was magical.
He said, I love the desert, I love the stars at night, I love the quietness.
And I feel at peace and free down here.
We couldnt even see the lake because of the surrounding brush.
After shooting Willie and his friends, we wrapped at Monas at about 10:30pm.
Willie offered to drive David and me back to our Austin hotel in his Mercedes.
We walked up the wooden steps, opened the unlocked door and strode in.
They stared at us in shock, but I could tell from their faces they knew who Willie was.
The man, without missing a beat said, Well, it was, but now its our home.
We looked at one another and said to him, That sounds great.
Another one of my fondest memories of Willie involved a shoot we did at Grand Teton National Park.
I jumped at this opportunity because I love our National Parks.
There was a pause, and she replied, Im not sure about that.
Willie is a drug addict, isnt he?
I couldnt believe it.
Hes a hero to farmers and workers and received The Kennedy Center Honors.
How could you possibly turn away someone so significant to America?
I tried hard to hide my frustration.
What a gorgeous western setting.
There was a window of about 15-20 mins where the light would make the shot magical.
We then returned to the bus.
As the first rays of light appeared, I let Willie know that it was time to shoot.
At that moment, three National Park service vehicles drove up and parked right next to Willies bus.
I quickly realized that the Park Director was paying us a surprise visit, with five rangers in tow.
They started walking towards the bus.
I had to do something…. Fast.
Ill be right back, I said to Willie.
Willies bus driver was a crusty old Texan named Gator.
I slipped out and he shut the door, just in the nick of time.
Hey, guys, welcome!
Lets get a picture of yall with Willie before we shoot this thing, I said to the rangers.
I went back to the bus, grabbed Willie, and we took some pictures.
I felt that I had dodged a bullet.
Willie was elegantly sliding into frame as he sang the chorus.
What Jake pulled out of his back pocket was a magazine High Times.
The cover featured a close-up of Willie and the issue was entitled WILLIES WEED.
I may have yelled.
Never a dull moment.
I also saw how you might never mistake an artists reserve for a lack of determination.
