Willie Nelson, Billy Bob's team up
By MICHAEL D. CLARK

It's amazing this didn't happen sooner. Two Texas treasures — Willie Nelson and "the world's largest honky-tonk," Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth — have joined forces for a May 4 CD/DVD that is sure to be an instant in-state classic.

HEAR IT NOW
Audio: Clips from Live at Billy Bob's Texas by Willie Nelson:
• Whiskey River (Take My Mind)
• Crazy
• Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground
Requires the free RealPlayer
Nelson's Live at Billy Bob's Texas is special, not because it sheds any new light on his catalog of hits, but because it captures him playing them in front of a sampling of his most loyal fans. Twenty Nelson classics including Whiskey River, Good-Hearted Woman, Crazy and Angels Flying Too Close to the Ground are featured (the track list is very similar to the set Nelson sang at RodeoHouston last month).

The DVD companion is expanded to 30 songs and includes more recent hits including The Great Divide and Beer for My Horses, his former chart-topping duet with Toby Keith (sung solo at Billy Bob's). The concert was recorded last October with seven different cameras and includes interviews with Nelson's band and his rowdy fans.

Time will tell, but this may end up being the most vital concert recording by Nelson since Willie and the Family Live was released in 1978.

On tour: Houston's own ZZ Top will hit the road this summer for the first time as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. The band also is celebrating 35 years together. Following a performance at the all-star Crossroads Guitar Festival featuring Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Buddy Guy and B.B. King and many more, June 6 at the Cotton Bowl, the band begins its headlining tour June 25 at the Kay Yeager Coliseum in Wichita Falls. They'll play the Ford Arena in Beaumont and the Dodge Arena Hidalgo before heading out through North America through September.

It seems like a Houston date at the Toyota Center would fit in perfectly with the car-sponsored theme of those other Texas dates. So far, however, it isn't happening.

- I think those rumors that Kiss has played its final tour can officially be put to rest. America's favorite glam-pop metal band in Kabuki makeup return to the area June 12 at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Former lipstick 'n' leather peers Poison will open the show. Tickets go on sale at noon Saturday at Ticketmaster outlets for $29.50-$79.50. Call 713-629-3700.

- The mainstream rock event of the summer is not being staged by Britney Spears or Sting. My pick for the can't-miss ticket is the double-bill of John Mayer and Maroon 5, July 24 at the Woodlands Pavilion. Between Mayer's early-hit earnestness and sharper edge on aptly titled new album Heavier Things, and Maroon 5's girl trouble with great hooks (This Love, Harder to Breathe), this is a show by two acts with staying power. Tickets for this show also go on sale through Ticketmaster at noon on Saturday for $35.50-$45.50.

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From: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.mpl/headline/entertainment/2520664