Willie Nelson Cried A Tear While Performing 'Always On My Mind' At RodeoHouston Show

Apr 21, 2020 by apost team

Willie Nelson has long been a household name, transcending the limits of fame just within country music realms to become an international superstar. At 86, he still performs live and his voice is as strong as ever. But sometimes what makes someone legendary is being human, and in this Houston Rodeo performance on March 4 of 2020, he proves it.

While singing Always On My Mind, Willie was moved to tears, with fans at the show speculating it was for his best friend and drummer of over 50 years, Paul English, who passed away just weeks earlier.

With all the accolades, the superstardom, the adoring fans spanning a few generations, and the wealth, Willie of all people could be excused if he were a little bit big-headed. But he’s not, and that’s part of his long-lasting appeal.

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Known for being down-to-earth, the singer once again showed his ordinary human side during his recent concert at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Singing before 70,000 fans for Armed Forces Appreciation night, Willie delivered a tender rendition of Always on My Mind, alongside his son, reports KSat.

The concert had already wowed the fans, but something about the way he performed this song took the evening to a new level. Fans rose as one to give him a standing ovation. Rather than pat himself on the back or take it for granted that his fans would pay tribute to him this way, Willie cried.

Despite all his experience, all the concerts, all the other standing ovations, Willie still seems touched when his fans show their appreciation. He doesn’t take their good will for granted, and he clearly hasn’t let it go to his head. Being the consummate performer, he didn’t stop singing, either. Despite being moved to tears, Willie continued the beautiful rendition, completing the tune to the delight of the thousands of onlookers.

Willie's rendition of the song and tears could be for a number of reasons, but some fans speculated the tears were for his longtime friend and drummer of over 50 years, Paul English, who Willie had called his "best friend" and who passed away just a few weeks earlier on February 12.

Twitter lit up with comments from fans viewing the performance, with one exclaiming:

“Willie Nelson just cried singing “You Were Always On My Mind” @RODEOHOUSTON and I dunno how to handle this.”

while another wrote:

“Tonight, I watched Willie Nelson perform at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Absolutely nostalgic. Freaking. Texas. Legend.”

Was it the standing ovation alone that made him cry? Or maybe the joy of performing with his son? Or maybe the thought of his best friend Paul who'd recently passed away? Perhaps it was a combination of all of those. Whatever the reason, Willie’s tears showed once again what a truly human legend he really is.