ROOTS of Country Music

US Festival (1982~1983)

The US Festival was held over two weekends in 1982 and 1983. Steve Wozniak, cofounder of Apple Computer, funded the concerts and accompanying technology expositions, as well as the construction of a brand-new outdoor venu in Glen Helen Regional Park in  San Bernadino, California USA.

Nearly every musical genre was represented by bands as diverse as U2, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Ozzy Osbourne, Willie Nelson, Van Halen, The Police and The Clash.

Over the combined seven days of the festival, more than one million people passed through the entrance gates.

Waylon Jennings at the US Festival

Waylon Jennings appeared at the US Festival on June 4, 1983. It was billed as Country Day, with Waylon performing alongside such artists as Willie Nelson, Alabama, Hank Williams, Jr. and Emmylou Harris.

Waylon's performance was one of the day's many highlights. Jennings was onstage for sixty-five minutes performing such classics as Amanda, Just to Satisfy You, Rainy Day Woman and Honky Tonk Heroes. Waylon was joined onstage by wife Jessi Colter for a particularly memorable rendetion of Storms Never Last.

The musicians included: Waylon Jennings (electric guitar, lead vocals), J.I. Allison (drums), Ralph Mooney (steel guitar), Jerry Bridges (bass guitar), Floyd Domino (piano), Gary Scruggs (guitar), Jerry Rockwell (guitar).

Waylon Jennings Live at the US Festival, June 4, 1983

Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out of Hand
Clyde
Amanda
Just To
Satisfy You
Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line
Lucille (You Won't Do Your Daddy's Will)
I've Always Been Crazy
Breakin' Down
Lonesome, On'ry and Mean
Jack-A-Diamonds
Theme From the Dukes Of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys)
Storms Never Last (With Jessi Colter)
Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way
Rainy Day Woman
Women Do Know How to Carry On
I Ain't Livin' Long Like This
Good Hearted Woman
Honky Tonk Heroes
Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)
Mental Revenge
Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys
I Can Get Off on You

Willie Nelson at the US Festival

On June 4, 1983, Willie Nelson was the headliner at the US Festival. Featuring many of his greatest hits, the concert showcased the country music superstar at his peak.

Nelson was onstage for eighty minutes, performing such classics as Crazy, Night Life, Good Hearted Woman (with Waylon), All of Me, On the Road Again and Always on My Mind.

Backing Willie onstage was his road band which included: Bobbie Nelson (piano), Grady Martin (guitar), Paul English (drums), Jody Payne (guitar), Bee Spears (bass guitar and Mickey Raphael (harmonica).

Willie Nelson Live at the US Festival, 1983

Whiskey River
Stay All Night (Stay a Little Longer)
Funny How Time Slips Away
Crazy
Night Life
If You've Got The Money I've Got The Time
Good Hearted Woman
Sweet Memories
Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys (With Waylon Jennings)
Good Hearted Woman (With Waylon Jennings)
Why Do I Have to Choose
Help Me Make It Through the Night
Bloody Mary Morning
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Blue Skies
Georgia On My Mind
All of Me
Stardust
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
I Can Get Off on You
Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground
On the Road Again
Always On My Mind

Researched and written by Richard Bell, Roots of Country Music, Nov. 21, 2011.