Not everyone wants Willie for president

I write about politics about as well and as often as I write about sports.

And you’ve never seen any of my sports writing, have you.

It’s because there ain’t none.

I mean I do wish I had the political writing skills of the late, great Molly Ivins.

She sure could write entertaining political stuff.

One of the nicest compliments I ever received on my politics was from the Bossman here at The Eastern New Mexico News, who long-ago simply said: “You know, I can’t tell what your politics are.”

But (pssst) I’ll tell you, dear reader:  I believe we should work to get along with each other.  You know, “United we stand, divided we fall” and all that.

I’m a member of the “Idealist party.”

That’s about as political as I’ll get.

I got a political lesson a number of years ago down south in the Pecos Valley: Not everyone believes Willie Nelson should be president.

It was over 30 years ago, I was working at a country station in Roswell, having a grand time but I didn’t make a heck of a lot of money.

One day the station receptionist said, “I saw y’all’s paychecks. I don’t know how y’all make it on so little money.”

So me and my late, great radio buddy Wayne had a “side hustle” being disc jockeys at big parties and dances.

We’d disc jockey high school dances, big oil company barbecues, reunions all over southeast New Mexico.

There was this time Wayne and I were called to disc jockey a big party for a bunch of Roswell area ranchers at a fancy place just outside town.

Everybody on the scene was dressed way better’n we were.

This was a big coin, high-dollar crowd.

The partyin’ began. We played George Strait and new country stuff and more George Strait and the “Cotton Eyed Joe” on into the night.

Then I believed it was time to play some Willie … Texas pickin’, pot smokin’, free-wheelin’, outlawin’ Willie Nelson.

Since I don’t know when, folks have kidded around about electing Willie president. Easy goin’, friend to everyone Willie Nelson in the White House.

There’s even one or two songs about “Willie Nelson for president.”

So I’m getting ready to spin some Willie for these dapperly dressed rancher folks. I grab the microphone.

“Let’s two-step to some Willie now,” I said, then I yelled. “HEY, HOW ABOUT WILLIE NELSON FOR PRESIDENT?!?!”

I expected the roar of the crowd in approval.

But I was NOT just outside Austin, Texas.

Nope, I was in cattle and oil country, the part of the state I’d heard historical types call “Little Texas.”

There was stone cold silence in the room.

Immediately I knew I had breached some unspoken etiquette, not gotten a much-needed memo, done did a faux pas.

For one reason or another this group wasn’t fond of the idea of Willie Nelson for president.

“Alrighty then, sorry about that, politics and dancing don’t mix,” I said.

I do know when it’s time to admit to a mistake.

“Well, what about Hank Williams Jr. for secretary of defense???”

Hoots and hollers came from the crowd as I fired up a Hank Jr. two-steppin’ tune and suddenly the dance floor was packed.

Wayne sidled over to me.

“Bro, this ain’t a Willie crowd. Thought you mighta sensed that,” Wayne said.

“Yeah bro, one of those things you learn by doing. But hey, I really thought EVERYONE loves Willie.”

Just another lesson learned in life.

Like not bringing rap tunes to a country dance.

But that’s another story.

Grant McGee writes for The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact him:

[email protected]