The live (and lively) performance by country legends Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Merle Haggard on the 56th Annual Grammy Awards stage to perform the classics “Highwayman,” “Okie From Muskogee” and “Mamma’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” was a magnificent, albeit creaky, moment of music history. It is also a testament to how far off the reservation Music City has veered.
Leaving aside whether Blake Shelton merited a spot alongside such luminaries (cough…Jamey Johnson, Sturgill Simpson…cough) it was a highlight of the event.
Wille mentioned to Billboard.com that a formal collaboration among the three is in the works.
“We’re working on one now, yeah,” Nelson said, adding that they’ll release it “as soon as we get it together.”
Tentatively called “The Musketeers†(SavingCountryMusic.com) this will be the first time the trio has collaborated on the same project. Nelson is the common bond as he recorded the Townes Van Zandt’s classic, “Pancho & Lefty,” with Haggard and worked with Kristofferson in The Highwaymen alongside Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings.
Given Kristofferson and Haggard’s recent health concerns a collaboration album released this year might be the last we hear from these gentleman. I certainly hope not.
But going out among friends would be a fine adios.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SspAWnLvUFc
“… a collaboration album released this year might be the last we hear from these gentleman.”
Why would you even say something like that. What are you, like seventeen?
I think this would be the greatest album of all times. Loved listening to each and every one of you on the Grammy show. So much talent to adorn one stage it was awesome.
I’m anxious to to able to have this album added to my collection. Our country has been blessed by these wonderfully talented men.
Love watching this and the response from the audience! Those 3 older guys have been my favorites for years along with Waylon & Johnny Cash. What a great and fun moment!
“…..a fine adios”…..seriously????…..please, back away from the keyboard!!!….your disrespect is appalling!!!
I AGREE with you David. Sometimes people need to keep their thoughts about others well being to themselves. But here’s my thought: Merle and Willie were the ONLY reason to watch the Grammys this year!!!
“” …as for man, his days are as grass…”
Given recent deaths among younger entertainers, age and ‘health concerns’ aren’t that relevant. Stupidity takes out as many as age does.
Blake Shelton can’t hold a candle to Willie, Kris, and Merle. Sit down Shelton.
“A fine adios”????? “The last we hear from these gentlemen”????? What kind of person writes something like that??
Silver Wings is my favorite of all. When my husband passed away, my son made a cd of the funeral and played Silver Wings in the background. The song was very appropriate. Thanks for many years of country music and when we get to heaven, I will find my husband and dance to your music once again.
I think that they are all very good. They and their songs have brought much joy into my life. I love them all.
I agree that it was a stupendous performance, and I can hardly wait to hear the new album. They are my heroes…..
This should be an awesome album! However, I object to you saying that it may be the last time we hear from these guys! And I didn’t appreciate you negative comment about Blake Sheldon!
So Blake..how’dya like singin with ol’ farts n jackasses? I am also glad that Sturgill Simpson was mentioned along with Jamey Johnson!
to Faye J. Spendley: strictly your opinion .. to which you are entitled, of course .. but would like to point out .. judging from most of the posts here, never mind their overwhelming success .. your opinion must be in the minority!
That was an awesome few moments in history! The comment about not being around was very inappropriate. Also comments about Blake Shelton were also uncalled for. Who better than the so called “old boys” with one of the “new boys” I personally thought it was very nostalgic & brought the tears to my eyes for the good ole days!!
This would be a CD that I would buy…………………..there are not many out there that I would pay to own but this one I would!
Bad mouthing any of those three will put you in the minority every time.God bless the Musketeers ,cant wait for that album.
Love Willie.
All three of these icons are on my list of musical heroes and influences. Perish the thought either one of them should go Home very soon.
Wow , this is getting a lot of traffic today. Great!
Regarding my mention of mortality and health and three of these fine legends have had bouts with health issues. kris with his memory loss, willie with respiratory issues and Merle with Haggard. It’s not a slam , it’s a fact.
Of course I hope i’m wring and we have many more years from all of the. If that is not the case i stand by what I said, this would be a fine, fitting, farewell.
Jamey Johnson would fit in perfectly in this band of men…. He has my vote. The performance on the Grammy’s was the highlight of the show.
willie, merle and kris……best part of the show ever
Would love to hear Merle sing When mercy Walked In. Love that Merle. He has been my favorite since the 60’s. He was so good looking. Saw him at the Spirit Mtn Casino in Grand Ronde, Oregon and he is still a showman.
Willie, Kris and Merle brought entertainment to the show like no other performers! They will always be heroes!
I have loved these men forever and there family’s. god bless them all. and yes they were the only reason to watch the grammys . and I loved john and june and Waylon and his wife. you will live forever in my heart.
I truly hope this won’t be Kristofferson’s last album and his health problems are not that serious. In any case I wish him all the best and thank him for all the joy he has brought into my life with his awesome music.
The three of them have been the threads of my life, without which I may not have had ANY good days. Listened to them when I was happy, when I was sad, and all emotions in between. Can always count on their beautiful voices to make me feel better about anything and everything. THEY were the ONLY reason I watched the grammy’s. I am the same age as Merle, so I know how fragile life can be sometimes. Looking forward to their new collaboration, and will buy it as soon as it hits the stores. Love ’em, love ’em love ’em!!
Why the photo bomb by Blake, so out of place
Love their music have been listening to all of them for many years and they still sound great .Hope Kris and Merle ‘s health will get better. Prayers are with them .I will buy this album when it comes out . Thanks for all your music all these years and hope we wll hear more. Love all of you .
These gentlemen were and are country along with Johnny Cash , Marty Robbins , Buck Owens etc.
As far as I am concerned, there is no music but country. The modern “junk” considered today’s modern music is nothing but noise. The music (and I use the term loosely) is too loud and you can’t understand the words. Give me country music every time. Willie, Kris and Merle are among my favorites. They beat out even some of the newer country stars.
I have been listening to the music of The Highwaymen for years. I love these men and their music. Kris’ songs are like poetry.
I miss real country music.
They are the best!!!!!Love the songs!!!!!
they were the best part of the Grammy’s. they are the best of the best all of them
I’d wait in line to buy their album I really hope it comes out soon. Todays country music?? not much to brag about. I only watched the grammy”s to get to see real entertainers WILLIE,MERL, and CHRIS. They where the show!
No one can come close to willie kris and Merle .i love the old classic on willies station.
I just watched them sing again and it brings tears to my eyes, and Blake Sheldon was a very nice touch. I will certainly buy there new album!!! I wish Blake would be on it too!!! Loves
It doesn`t get any better than these 3 & then you put Blake in there & it brought tears to my eyes to see the Guys all together, These Guys are Legends OF Country Music.. I will be in line for one of the albums!!!
I love them I have listened to them since I was a child. I got married to Let It Be Me and Little Things. They are a wonderful part of Country Music and American Music History. I wish them good health going forward, love, luck, and many good times.
As a child I was exposed to these wonderful artists and they have stuck with me now 45 this is COUNTRY the country music of today I cannot listen to so the only country music in my home are all the old classics this cd most def will buy cause MY HEROS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COWBOYS ♥♥♥♥
You know as a man of country music , i do know one thing when alan jackson and george strait sung murder on music row that nail what rich people has done to real country music?
I can’t wait to add it to my collection.
I would love to see that happen, three of the greatest country artist’ of all time.
And I would buy the first one if I could, so please send it down under please.
Willie, Kris and Merle’s music will outlive all of us., much like the line from the “highwayman” song, they’ll always be around….and around and around! Hope all three can continue to make music for us to enjoy for as long as possible.
Love Willie! love Kris! Just saw a very thoughtful interview Dan Rather did with Merle. Very intelligent fellow–as are they all.
The were the best of the Grammys–only reason I watched also.
Willie, you are a marvel.
Keep it going, boys. You did bring tears to my eyes, also. Very nostalgic to see you all up there.
I could have listened to you all night.
Those ol’ boys will never die!
Can’t wail for the album!
Willie Meral Kris Was the main reson I watched all the grannies,I have been listing to those guys for about 60 plus years THEY are GREAT.
Always enjoy three of my favorite country singers, and I thought Blake Shelton was a nice addition to the trio. Would like to have heard what I think is the icon song for Willie, “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain.”
I am a “Party Crasher,” and sing for groups like VFW’s, Senior Citizen facilities, Assisted Living Homes, etc., and most always sing Blue Eyes, which really gets the attention of the crowd and usually get feedback that I sound like Willie.
Do not like the handle, “Three Musketeers,” for these historic country singers How about, “Trio of Hombres,” instead.
Hoodoo
Keeping it country. Can ‘t wait for the album. Those 3 make good music. In good company..no doubt.
I am a Willie Nelson fan and I also love Kris and Merle I look forward to owning ANY album they release. I didn’t know Kris and Merle had health issues, I hope they can be resolved. I wish them all long life and happiness. I am older than they are and I NEED these guys to go on
Three of the best singers ever in any music. Blake makes no difference to me one way or the
Other. Those three old road dogs are whats important.
Way to go Chevy! I love those songs and those guys. It’s nice to see them live at the awards shows.
There was never a more beautiful song recorded than The Highwayman’s Poncho & Lefty. The harmony is just incredible and the song written by our own Texas great songwriter Townes Van Zante. Willie and Chris were good singing at the Grammies but If old Johnny and Waylon had been there I would have been in tears. The Highwayman is my all time favorite album.
Kris is touring in Australia YAY come on down Willie, I came over last year to see you, come visit some time real soon pretty please!
Let’s hope they can find another great Jimmy Web song l like”The Highwayman”.