A second chance from Willie Nelson
Reactions to meeting celebrities can be very unpredictable
--- intense heart palpitations, quickening of breath, over-the-top comments
gushing forward, as well as screaming and fainting.
I found out I don’t react that way at all when I had the
opportunity to interview a famous singer.
Reporters working for small town newspapers don’t get too
many chances to interview big-time celebrities. But lucky me, I was given such
an assignment several years ago.
I was writing a preview story for a concert Willie Nelson
was headlining in Winchester ,
Virginia Winchester ’s native daughter. He knew her,
her husband, and wrote one of her hits, “Crazy.”
The local promoter gave my cell number to Willie’s manager
and I was told I would get a call. Usually it takes a couple of days for a call
to be made with a time decided and contact person making the call. At least
that was the case with other big wigs I had interviewed---authors, newscasters,
singers, etc. So I thought it will be days before I hear from him or his staff.
But that was definitely not the case this time.
My cell phone rang a few hours later after I had left work.
I was headed to the check-out counter at the grocery store. The name of the
caller popped up as private so I am thinking it is a telemarketer
It wasn’t. It was none other than the legendary singer
himself, not a secretary or publicist to set up a time for the interview.
It definitely sounded like him with that distinctive voice,
and he was calling me by name. “Frances ,
I heard you wanted to talk to me.”
I was so shocked and flabbergasted and totally thrown off
balance I told him it was a bad time since I was at the grocery store and could
he call me later.
Well, he said, he was busy that evening – he had a concert
and it would be pretty late.
I thanked him and said I hoped to hear from him that
evening.
(Did I really just tell Willie Nelson I was too busy?)
Once I hung up the reality of it set in, and I thought I’ll
never get that interview. I kept my cell phone close by but no calls came from
the celebrity I had told I was too busy to interview.
I began to beat myself up mentally for not taking advantage
of the call -- who tells Willie Nelson she is too busy grocery shopping to talk
to him!
I got no sympathy from family, friends, or co-workers, who
didn’t hesitate to tell me how crazy I was and how foolish I had been.
I back tracked and talked to the local promoter to contact
the publicist again and please, please ask for a reprieve and a second chance.
Several days passed and still no call. I was sleeping with
the phone and kept my notepad and pencil with me every second of the day and
night.
Finally, the phone rang and the word private popped up
again. Could it actually be him?
Sure enough, Willie’s melodic voice answered. I immediately
apologized. He said “You must have been pretty busy when I called before.”
The interview commenced as it should have the first time and
I got the story. Willie was a true delight. Listening to the voice I had heard
so often in song was a real thrill.
He gave me great information about his relationship with
Patsy and her family, explaining that was why he was coming to this small town
at the top of Virginia .
He was absolutely gracious and a real gentleman, especially
after I had put him off the first time he called.
Several years later, a story showed up on the Associated
Press wire about a reporter who frequently received calls from Willie. He
elaborated on when the call came he never refused it often causing him delays
and even missing flights. I realized then I was in some pretty good company.
I don’t know why I reacted as I did. It was a gut reaction
that couldn’t be explained. If I had it to do over (which never happens of
course), I would have sprawled on the floor of the grocery store, taken out my
reporter’s pad, and started firing the questions.
But due to his really nice disposition and evidently
forgiving nature, he gave me a second chance! I am eternally grateful.
Frances C. Lowe
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