Odds & Ends: ‘Willie’s Reserve,’ Oasis, Twin Shadow, Gwar-B-Q

You gotta figure that after Colorado and Washington legalized recreational use of marijuana, it was only a matter of time before noted cannabis aficionado and country music legend Willie Nelson would step up to the marketing plate. Naturally, the Red Headed Stranger chose hemp holiday April 20 to promote his very own primo smoke – Willie’s Reserve.

Today’s announcement quoted an unidentified journalist describing the  product as the “first connoisseur brand, edging it farther from an illegal substance and closer to the realm of fine wines.”  The announcement also describes Willie’s Reserve as “an extension of Willie’s passion and appreciation for the many varieties of the plant’s qualities.  Some of the best master growers in America will collaborate along with Willie, to define quality standards so that fans can expect clean and consistent products.”

At this time Willie’s Reserve will be “grown, distributed and sold by local businesses in Colorado and Washington.”   Nelson’s plans to widen distribution depend on whether other states legalize the plant.

“I am looking forward to working with the best growers in Colorado and Washington to make sure our product is the best on the market,” Nelson said.

And yes, there is a website.  Check out WilliesReserve.com for more info.

In addition to announcing Willie’s Reserve, Nelson and his pal Merle Haggard recorded this little ditty for 4/20/2015.  The song is from their upcoming album Django And Jimmie.

A United Kingdom newspaper is reporting that brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher may have settled their differences and are now planning to reunite Oasis.

London’s Mirror reports that details were leaked from “a well-placed source” shortly after Noel Gallagher played a gig at the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit at the Royal Albert Hall.

“It’s early days in terms of the details, but Noel and Liam are back on good terms and ready to give things another go,” the source told the Mirror.  “Nothing is signed but it’s what you might call a gentlemen’s agreement.”

Aug. 28, 2009, is the date that lives in infamy for Oasis’ fans.  That’s when Liam reportedly broke one of Noel’s guitars shortly before the group was to play Paris’ Rock En Seine Festival.  The band ended up nixing the festival gig as well as other shows on its itinerary, while the band’s manager issued a statement saying Oasis “does not exist anymore.”

It probably wasn’t the best of weekends for Brooklyn-based Twin Shadow.  The act’s tour bus was involved in an accident near Denver Friday morning.

A spring storm along with a stretch of fog contributed to the incident in which Twin Shadow bus rear-ended a semi-trailer on Interstate 70.  The bus then hit a truck and the bus carrying Thompson Square crewmembers.  No injuries were reported for the occupants of the truck or the Thompson Square bus.

Now Twin Shadow has issued a post-crash update.

“There were 12 people on the tour bus consisting of band and crew.  Everyone was taken to two local hospitals.  At this time both driver John Crawford and Twin Shadow drummer Andy Bauer remain hospitalized, in serious condition.  George Lewis Jr. AKA Twin Shadow will be undergoing reconstructive hand surgery this week.”

The band also said the accident has forced the cancellation of shows scheduled April 21-May 22.

“The band and crew send a heartfelt thanks to everyone in Colorado and beyond who have helped through this difficult time.”

Gwar is filling up the weekend around its annual Gwar-B-Q with bands, bands and more bands.

Celebrating 30 years of Gwar, the Aug. 14-16 weekend will include satellite events in the Richmond, Va., area, starting with kick-off parties, dubbed “B4BQ, at The National and The Broadberry Aug. 14.    Meanwhile, the Gwar-B-Q promises “three stages of devastation” at Hadad’s Lake in Henrico, Va., Aug. 15 with bands such as Desceendents, Down and The Dickies as well as Goatwhore, MC Chris, Dead Earth Politics and hometown favorite RPG.  The festivities wrap with the debut of The Brutal Brunch Aug. 16.

Gwar has partnered with local hotels to provide discount lodging for the weekend.  Gwar-B-Q is giving part of its proceeds to Ring Dog Rescue,, a non-profit working for the safety and preservation of “pit bull type dogs.”

Click here for more knowledge about this year’s Gwar-B-Q.