While many might find Austin’s annual celebration a la musica, i.e. SXSW another reason to party, or rather another reason to party with the music and all of those who make it; as it turns out, in reality, the nTexan music fest begs to answer such a caustic delegation. And, country matador Ray Benson is at the heart of everything good South By has to offer. Oh yeah, and this year, 2017, Willie Nelson got in on all that charitable action too (and no, it didn’t involve Willie’s long-standing lover Mary-J).

This afternoon, Austin 360 made all of those stuck in the blizzards of New England, or eve those stuck in the metaphoric “blizzard” of a 9 to 5 this week drool a little, while their eyes glazed over at the notion of the 3 o’clock slump. The music pub shared just a brief glimpse into what was really an end-all set. While young financiers toddled out to their lunch breaks, and bored sales associates tried to hock made-in-china handbags for premium rates…a whole world of awesome was happening, somewhere far away from them: Willie Nelson played a down-home, bluesy string of rhythms in honor of his friend, and Asleep at the Wheel frontman Ray Benson’s 66th birthday party.

Not only does the video hi-light those luscious braids made signature by Mr. Nelson himself; but, in essence the 3:37 short illustrates beauty and the blues, and of course country music all in one Texas night. Sheesh.

Willie sounds great, and Benson’s birthday is an annual event…which works in one part as definitely great sonic-al meanderings, but most importantly as a fundraiser, and a gaining of awareness for HAAM (Health Alliance for Austin Musicians). Okay, so next year…we’re guaranteed definitely going, right?