At the 2002 Farm Aid picnic on Austin's Auditorium Shores, Willie and band played the tightest set I've ever heard. There was only one set, lasting for two hours and a medley encore, barely-shaded under late August's 4 pm sun (and they started promptly!) They played without a mistake or a break, with then-69-year-old Willie playing front and center directly into that sun for the entire time. They performed to the very best of Willie's and the band's vast ability. There was no unnecessary between-song tuning and banter. Of course, Willie was typically understated but lovingly cordial to the crowd. Guest stars Robert Earl Keen and Butch Hancock were brought on smoothly, sang the same way, and then left the stage to Willie and family.

It is absolutely true that Willie still jogs extensively every day, a half-century after his Abbott High School track outings. To bolster the legend, I can personally assure you that Willie himself had run at 8 am that morning in his own 10K Run and Mosey; and that he pulled ahead of his running partner, Texas Governor Rick Perry. (The latter apparently stopped to shake hands, prompting the race announcer to proclaim the best line of the day, "Our last governor (George W. Bush) would have finished the race by now!")

It is also absolutely true that Willie still smokes marijuana contentedly every day, as per his quiet but unabashed admission. Presumably, Willie and the gov did not discuss law enforcement. Willie did volunteer to the public that he would ease off the weed, in response to post-9/11 anti-drug advertising that links drug money to terrorism.

Willie is as productive as ever. In 2003 he has already released seven albums of both new and classic music. His own favorite album is 1975's "Redheaded Stranger," which he produced himself after finally breaking free of the commercial Nashville environment.

Willie Hugh Nelson turned 70 years old on April 30, 2003.