I found it interesting that although Willie is a prolific songwriter, some of my favourite songs by him were written by other people. I think that Willie just loves music and if he hears a song that he thinks he would like to do, he just does it, always crediting the artist who wrote it. There is no question that Willie makes it his own though.

I have had far fewer arrows aimed at me for starting this thread than I expected and I think it's because the Mudcat is filled with many people who are more concerned about music than musical categorizing.

If you have never seen Willie live, go the very next time you get a chance, especially in a small venue. I first saw him at Toronto's Skydome and enjoyed it even though the sound was terrible and I could barely see him. I have since seen him twice at The Capitol Music Hall in Wheeling, West Virginia, a beautiful old 2500 seat hall with great acoustics. It was absoulutely magical both times, like a big kitchen party. I believe that you can't begin to appreciate Willie until you've seen him in a setting like this.

Wow I almost have the confidence to start my next thread, Barry Manilow, an appreciation. (Kidding)