San Francisco Bay Area ukulele recording artist Jon Gonzales pays tribute to his idol, Willie Nelson, via an ode titled "The Willie Way" just in time for Willie's 84th birthday (4/30). Smoke it if you got it. Produced by Michael Lindner.
lyrics:
Mama, you didn't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
A long time forgotten are the dream that just fell by the way
I learned for myself, the night life ain't no good life
And Gee ain't it funny how time slips away
Mama didn't raise me to be no outlaw
I learned to bite the bullet and be the slave
I transformed myself moving north through California
Down the highway A.K.A. Willie Way
Let know one ever say that I'd be okay to put me in a cage
I long to live the Willie Way
Oh Grandma, you loved the outlaws of the highway
Who taught us to love everyone, live every day
Then Jasper came along to help me be this very song
and the white light from the Stardust lit the way
Seven Spanish angels too close to the ground
At Home Motel on Long Lost Highway
You're almost 85, you're Whiskey River ain't run dry
And it's time to stand outside and smoke a "j"
The world is full of slaves
But in my world, they're be no 'tengo que's'
I'm free to choose the Willie Way
Let know one ever say that I'd be okay to put me in a cage
I long to live the Willie Way
lyrics and music by Jon Gonzales (BMI 2017)
JG: ukulele, lead vocals
Michael Lindner: requento
nashville tuned parlor guitar,
accordion, bass,
drums and percussion
keyboard
backing vocals
Recorded, mixed, and produced by Michael Lindner-Alley One Studio 2017
