I’ve never been a huge fan of Country Music, but I have a deep, deep respect for those artist who have defined themselves with a distinct style, such as Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam, and Willie Nelson. I’m talking about the type of style, that when you hear a song of theirs, you automatically see a picture in your mind of what they look like and who they are. Music is no different than any other form of art. Style is what stands the test of time. Fashion comes and goes with the wind and the seasons, but style is enduring. It’s symmetric. It’s your foundation, your roots. Your faith is part of your style, and fashion always adapts to your style.

Willie Nelson will always be an artist who has his own style. I had the opportunity to photograph him a couple of weeks ago at the brand new Center for the Arts on Eastern’s campus. Willie followed another man of style who performed there the week before, BB King.

There were two aspects of Willie’s style that I wanted to capture in photos, his guitar and his hair. At the same time, I wanted capture a sense of place with the new 2,500 capacity Center for the Arts. I’ve seen many, many concerts in my time at Rupp Arena, and heck, I even remember most of them. But the older I get, the more I appreciate a good concert, with a sound mind, in a small venue. One of these days, my dream is to catch Nora Jones at the Ryman in Nashville.

However, there was one part of Willie’s style that deserved questioning. He was The Man from head to ankle, but from the ankles down he was showing signs of his age in ways that his voice did not. He was clad in black, except for his gray New Balance tennis shoes. But that’s the beauty of style, piss on what everyone else does and thinks! Your style belongs to you. It’s a mirror image of your personality. Age creeps up on all us in its own little way. I’ll accept the New Balance shoes if that’s what it takes to get a legend like this on stage. Rock on Willie!!!

I’ll end with this. I’ve never been one to collect autographs from the celebrities that photography allows me to encounter. I’ve always felt my photos were more valuable than a signature. As Willie and his crew were leaving, and had just done a small VIP session in the basement of the Arts Center, he turned and went to shake my hand. When he did, he dropped a blue Sharpie on the floor. I picked it up and handed it to him. He looked me in the eye, as time stood still, as if he was sizing me up. He shook my hand, thanked me and walked out the door to his tour bus.

I can’t sell that moment on Ebay, but knowing that me and his Sharpie were the only things standing between this musical legend and his herbal night cap…. was priceless!