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Local DJ Plays harp For Legend
Willie Nelson had a birthday Gregorian calendar month 30—no doubt one that was crammed with gifts, wrapped and/or rolled. The occasion of the legendary outlaw/country musician’s eightieth was celebrated on Gregorian calendar month twenty eight with associate annual concert for concerning ten,000 friends at a outside venue in state capital, Texas, referred to as the grounds at Bee Cave. The concert was conjointly a profit for the victims of the recent deadly explosion in West, Texas. And for one Salt Lake town resident, the birthday concert became a life-changing event.
Brad Wheeler—longtime host of KRCL’s weekday afternoon drive-time show and a widely known native musician—was concerned within the station’s recent Radiothon fundraiser. Paddy Raphael, Willie Nelson’s stalwart harp bandmate, organized for a combine of tickets to Nelson’s birthday concert to be a prize for donors. Raphael conjointly shocked Wheeler by giving him a price tag to the state capital concert.
“Mickey told Maine it had been ‘Make-A-Wish for DJs,’ ” Wheeler gleefully says concerning Raphael’s facilitate within the promotion.
It was when town Weekly had revealed story I’d written in 2012 concerning native harp players that Wheeler, Raphael and that i met for dinner at the Red iguanid. “It extremely was that story and dinner that allowed Maine to come back to understand this astonishingly kind creator,” Wheeler says. “Mickey actually is that the most compassionate person, definitely of any musician I’ve ever met. He’s simply the simplest.”
After disbursement the day in state capital with Raphael before the show, Wheeler found himself as a guest at Nelson’s birthday bash. Not solely was he able to attend, he conjointly was invited onstage. “All of Willie’s Family Band had cited guests, and it appeared like there have been two hundred folks on it stage,” Wheeler says, adding that Texas Gov. Rick Perry recognized Nelson for his incomparable contribution to Texas music. “Then, Willie necessitated David Allan Coe and turned on Travis to come back up and facilitate him and also the band sing ‘Will the Circle Be Unbroken.’
“I was sitting within the back, at Mickey’s feet, once he simply handed Maine his harp and also the mic and told Maine to square up and play a solo,” Wheeler continues. “It was like that [Michelangelo] painting of God touching Adam’s hand! i used to be able to stop subsequently song, however Paddy told Maine to stay enjoying for 2 additional. it had been thus superb that I don’t even bear in mind what those last ones were.”
Wheeler says the night was associate honor and extremely demeaning. “My life has modified,” he turbulently exclaims. “Who ever gets to try and do that? I’m with great care lucky! Willie thanked Maine when, and this simply has given Maine most confidence. I’m standing in Mickey’s shadow.”
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