December 31st, 2011 will always be a special memory for me. There’s nothing like celebrating New Years Eve with family and friends at the Moody Theater while watching Willie Nelson & Family bring in the New Year. That night was very magical; you could feel the energy in the air. I was also lucky enough to have one of my closest friends in attendance, Sir Kiko.
I remember repeatedly checking my gear over and over again in a seemingly paranoid fashion; must have been something in the air that night! I often tell people that when I photograph, Willie Nelson, it feels like the first time, every time. I mean let’s be honest here, the man is a legend.
Once of the main reasons I like photographing Willie is his charisma; the way he works a crowd is incredibly inspiring; every song is like a story time adventure; he just has so much character. I’ve always felt confident that I could capture Willie in an iconic and flattering way. I feel comforted when his long time fans compliment my work and ask me to sign their prints.
After a superb set from, Jamey Johnson, the drifter took the stage and electrified the crowd. I remember the fans moving forward towards the stage in an effort to get a closer look at him. Stage front and ready to take photos, I was suddenly surrounded by screaming fans reaching out to him. Hands down, Willie has the best fans in the world! I wasn’t able to take a photo until the second song.
Watching Willie on stage playing music with his family & friends is very endearing; having the opportunity to experience it and document it is very humbling. Everything about Willie is fascinating from his storied past to his red bandana & braided hair; the Red Headed Stranger is without a doubt my favorite artist to photograph.
To see more photos of Willie Nelson click here, music photographer.
If you haven’t seen Willie in concert you should definitely make it a priority; he’s still on the road playing music with his friends all over the county. The entire cast of characters including his family, band, crew and fans are like one big family; they’re approachable, friendly, and gracious. Go online right now and buy tickets to the next show in your town.
Christopher Durst is currently filming a feature length documentary about the meaning and relative importance of art in today’s technologically advanced society where everyone has the access and ability to create.
This inspirational documentary reveals intimate details of Christopher’s personal life and career including the development of his first biographical book, behind-the-scene moments from his network television show, and the increasingly strained relationship with his family due to his unwavering desire to broaden his artistic body of work. The film also features commentary and in-depth interviews with some of the most influential figures in film, music and photography regarding the advancements in creative technology and its artistic impact on their respective industries.
