Road Warrior

Friday, Aug. 24, 2001 | 4:53 a.m.

Somehow, it isn't surprising to learn that the first group Willie Nelson performed with was John Raycjeck's Bohemian Polka Band.

It was 1943. He was 10 years old, growing up in the cotton country around tiny Abbot, Texas. Even then he was showing signs of the bohemian personality that would become his trademark -- unconventional, nonconforming, artistic, nomadic.

Willie Nelson doing polka music?

Why not? Even though his roots are deeply embedded in country, his albums have covered most of the musical universe -- jazz, blues, gospel, pop standards, western swing and big band.

Nelson's latest CD is "Rainbow Connection," featuring songs he recalled from his childhood. His next disc will be "The Great Divide," due out early next year, featuring duets with such singers as Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt.

On Friday the 68-year-old eclectic horseman will perform at Texas Station.

It seems that he never stops moving. He crisscrosses the country doing one-night stands. He writes. He records albums. He golfs. He jogs. He does annual Fourth of July picnics and "Farm Aid."

Nelson recently spoke by telephone to the Sun from his bus in Oklahoma.

Las Vegas Sun: Where are you?

Willie Nelson: Stillwater, Oklahoma. We're playing outside in the parking lot of some club. Not sure what the name of it is. Just a regular beer joint.

Sun: Isn't it about time for your annual "Farm Aid" fund-raiser?

WN: We're getting ready to do the concert on Sept. 29 in Indianapolis. Had the first one in 1985.

Sun: How did you get involved in the project?

WN: I was performing on Bob Geldof's "Live Aid" concert (for world hunger in 1985) and Bob Dylan said to me, "Wouldn't it be nice if some of this money stayed here?" He said, "We need to take care of our family farmers."

Sun: By all accounts it seems to have been a very successful undertaking.

WN: Yes, it's been a big success as far as people coming out and performing and people coming to hear it. And farmers are getting a little bit of finaincal support and a whole lot of moral support, but as far as the situation changing, it's not.

The problems have just grown and amplified a lot. We're still losing more and more small family farmers. If it stays this way, we won't have any more small family farms. That's why we're trying to turn it around. But it's gotten worse. There is no farm bill (in Congress) right now to take care of the small family farmer. Everything is too (expensive) for him. He doesn't get enough money for what he does, so it's a sad situation.

Sun: What motivated you to get involved?

WN: I grew up on farms and ranches, working on 'em around Abbot, Texas, so I know how hard it is. It wasn't something I ever considered doing professionally, as long as I could figure out a way to play the guitar. (Farming) was too hard a work. I was too lazy. But I know what they're doing. I know how to do it.

Sun: Changing the subject, you have been called an "outlaw" in the music industry. What does that mean to you?

WN: I think there's always been something within me that when someone says, "You have to do it this way," I'm determined to show 'em there's another way. I don't know why that is. It's just the way that I am. Stubborn, I guess. I was born a Taurus and they tell me we're a lot more stubborn than a lot of people -- maybe stupid, too.

Sun: Are you still an outlaw?

WN: I hope so. It seems like I'm always the guy ... I'm supposed to be a nice guy, a peace-loving guy, but it seems like when there's a fight I'm always the first one to jump in there and take one side or the other. Maybe it's not a smart thing to do, but it's just what I do.

Sun: What about the outlaw gang -- Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and the others -- do you still hang around with them?

WN: I'd love to, but those guys have sort of retired on me. Waylon, he doesn't work much anymore. Neither does Johnny or Kris (Kristofferson). Merle (Haggard) is still out here, and Ray Price -- I just did an album with Ray Price that should be out next year. There's a couple of us still out here.

Sun: What's your opinion of the quality of today's country music?

WN: Since I've been listening to radio I've seen it go up and down. Sometimes you couldn't hardly listen to the radio because there was nothing on there you'd like. Then somebody will come along that sounds good or different.

Through the years I've been a traditionalist. I love traditional country, and it's hard to hear that on radios these days.

Fortunately, movies like "O Brother, Where Art Thou" has brought back some interest. The music sort of went right back to the roots of country music. The CD has sold over two million copies now and they did it without any radio play at all, so it just goes to show you there are traditional music lovers out there.

Sun: But are there any outlaws out there, or is everything packaged and marketed?

WN: Unfortunately those are the only ones we hear. I'm sure there's some of those outlaws -- rebels bleeding in the hallway somewhere trying to get their foot in the door -- but it's not that easy.

Sun: Interest in country music seems to be on the decline. Will it come back?

WN: You can't keep it down. It always comes back. And, it always goes way.