Willie Nelson was performing on stage at the Farm Aid IV concert in Indianapolis. On the outskirts of the crowd, Almost-Willie was surrounded, 7 bodies thick, by fans.
They shouted for him to play another song, and they lined up for his autograph. People couldn’t believe that he wasn’t the real Willie! He looked like him, he sang like him, and he was Almost-Willie, and that was enough. It happens at every Willie Nelson concert that Almost-Willie attends, and Almost-Willie loves to entertain his fans.
Witnessing the expressions of amazement, disbelief, and shock on the faces of people when they realized he isn’t the real Willie is what makes Almost-Willie’s job worthwhile. Whether singing or visiting, fans can experience what it would be like to actually be in the company of Willie Nelson, almost. Providing this service of goodwill, has kept Almost-Willie up and going for 16 years. He’s traveled all over the United States, including Michigan, where wards of the State Penitentiary enjoyed an Almost-Willie Nelson concert.
Almost-Willie cares about his fans and is always willing to walk among the crowd, sign autographs, and smile for a picture with excited supporters who proudly display their memory of the time that when they were as close to Willie Nelson as they could ever hope to be, almost.
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As one may have guessed, Almost-Willie was not born with a bandana around his head, grey beard, and a guitar in his hand. He was born. Mild mannered Tom Lawford, who grew up to be a funeral director and county coroner. After 14 years of working with Death, he changed careers and gave selling cars a try. This profession was soon to wither as well. Following a Halloween party in 1985, on that fateful day, the eve of the day devoted to the memory of dead Saints, Almost-Willie came alive. Not only did he win the contest for best costume, but he also won a place in the heart of every Willie Nelson fan at the party.
Tom manages to maintain his perspective though, and often sings the following parody, sung to the tune of “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain”
“If you came to see Willie,
I’m afraid you’ve made a big mistake.
I’m not Willie, I’m just almost.
He’s the real thing, I’m a fake!