[AMA Request] Willie Nelson

I hear you. I have similar problems. I pretty much play just for my own entertainment, so I can definitely empathize with you. I just never had Willie make me promise.

Do you think it was possible that he was talking as much about getting over the nerves, as he was about gaining technical skill? Sincere question.

I would like to think he was, so that we could get over our biggest hurdle. Anyone can learn guitar nowadays with all the info available, but not many can get over their nerves once they are established. From one of Willie's books, he said that his grandma would pay him nickles and dimes to play music as a kid. I think that is where you get over that hurdle, as a kid. My nephew plays 5 different instruments at age 13, and will play in front of anyone, anytime, no matter what. He just doesn't care. It's amazing.

If Willie told you not to worry, it would be awesome if somehow it just gave you the magic. I can't imagine that even if you were terrible back then, that Willie would have laughed. It's a funny thing about people who are confident and well established. They don''t feel the need to say shitty things. They are fine with who they are, and want others to be happy too. He might have even helped you, gave you a lesson, or sang along as you played. Then you could have said you played music with Willie. But, you never gave yourself a chance because of those nerves, and I would have done the same exact thing. I'm pretty old now, but if you are young just imagine all the opportunities you could take advantage of by taking Willie's blessing to heart. I may even try again after this.

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