Willie Wall

I came across this mural while wandering on the east side of downtown Austin in October of 2018.

It may or may not still be there.

I’m talking about the building. Willie Nelson is still going strong. Fortified by weed and possessing an uncanny ability to delight everyone with his words and music, he’s a legend who may live forever.

He entered my consciousness when I was about 16 years old. I worked at the public library and one of my jobs was to put records back in the bins after being returned.

An unusual double album caught my eye and I decided to give it a listen. I found it boring and twangy until I landed on the song Whiskey River.

That magnificent sound combined with the enticing cover art made me a disciple of the church of Willie.

From that time on, I’ve always felt something when Willie’s sounds or images intersected with me. Seeing that giant painting of him in his outlaw phase was music to my eyes.

About the author: I am Stephen Kennedy, an experienced photographer with more than 2500 completed sessions in all 50 US states.