Photos: Willie Nelson @ The Pageant

Country music legend Willie Nelson performing at the Pageant in St. Louis on April 17, 2012. (TODD OWYOUNG)

There are some musical acts that never seem to get old. I've photographed Willie Nelson four times now, but even though the show hardly changes, it's always a thrill. After all, the man is a legend.

Willie Nelson's famous guitar Trigger on stage before the Willie Nelson and band take the stage at the Pageant. (TODD OWYOUNG)

Country music legend Willie Nelson performing at the Pageant in St. Louis on April 17, 2012. (TODD OWYOUNG)

Willie Nelson fans at the Pageant for the country musician's performance on April 17, 2012. (Todd Owyoung)

Country music legend Willie Nelson performing at the Pageant in St. Louis on April 17, 2012. (TODD OWYOUNG)

Country music legend Willie Nelson performing at the Pageant in St. Louis on April 17, 2012. (TODD OWYOUNG)

"Not Willie Nelson" - or is he? (TODD OWYOUNG)

Country music legend Willie Nelson performing at the Pageant in St. Louis on April 17, 2012. (TODD OWYOUNG)

A young Willie Nelson fan wearing the singer's iconic red bandana and braids. (TODD OWYOUNG)

Country music legend Willie Nelson performing at the Pageant in St. Louis on April 17, 2012. (TODD OWYOUNG)

Photographer's Notes:

Cameras Used:

  • Nikon D3
  • Nikon D700

Lenses Used:

To be honest, Willie Nelson doesn't do a whole lot on stage, but he does it all right – photographically speaking. And having been around as long as he has, it's no surprise that Willie Nelson is a pro in front of the camera.

First, he uses spotlights. He's lit up like a living legend (which, of course, he is). He allows photographers up close and personal for three solid songs. Despite constant vocal duties, he takes time to step out from behind the microphone for every song. He points, he gestures and he waves.

Now, these are all really little things in the scope of the whole performance, but what they add up to is that they make Willie Nelson photograph fantastically. Total pro.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id='G0000dBWMWKF0KsE' g_name='Willie-Nelson-2012-04-17′ f_show_slidenum='t' img_title='f' pho_credit='iptc' f_link='t' f_enable_embed_btn='t' f_send_to_friend_btn='t' f_topbar='t' f_bbar='t' f_show_watermark='t' f_htmllinks='t' f_mtrx='t' fsvis='t' width='600′ height='700′ bgcolor='#000000′ btype='new' bcolor='#FFFFFF' crop='f' trans='xfade' tbs='2000′ f_ap='t' bgtrans='f' linkdest='c' f_fullscreen='f' f_constrain='f' twoup='f' f_bbarbig=” f_show_caption='f' f_smooth='f' f_up='f' target='_self' ]