Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Lots of folks are wondering if the impending winter storm will cause the Asheville Civic Center to postpone Saturday’s big Willie Nelson concert. So far, all indications are that the show is on. WLOS noted that in a story it did last night.
But there could be another complication – marijuana and moonshine. Willie had to cancel a show earlier in the week because some member of his band got busted for possessing the illicit smoke and drink. From the Jacksonville News down east:
Hundreds of fans from all over the U.S. were disappointed Thursday night when Willie Nelson’s concert in Kenansville was cancelled shortly after members of his band were cited for marijuana possession.
The Duplin County Events Center on Fairgrounds Drive opened on schedule and alcohol was being served when an announcement was made that Nelson was ill and could not make the show.
N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement agents from Wilmington confiscated moonshine and small amounts of marijuana from members of the band who were in a van outside the events center. Band members were cited with a misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession, said District Attorney Dewey Hudson, who was at the concert.
Willie Nelson’s son posted a statement on Nelson’s Web site saying the show was cancelled because Nelson’s hand, which he has had a carpel tunnel operation, was in pain.
“…too much to play his guitar Trigger,” according to the statement.
Nelson will try to finish the tour in Rome, Ga., and then Asheville before returning to Texas, the Web site states. The show is to be rescheduled.
political stunt . used my tax dollars . willie is one of the most philanthropic folks of our time . he has always helped rural farming communities like kenansville via farm aid and numerous other causes . law enforcement with poorly placed priorities and political merit badge seekers . Crystal meth available all around Kenansville ….they focus on WEED … misplaced efforts . you can dump HOG WASTE into leaky lagoons in Duplin County ….but……light one joint and the next Mike Easley is knocking on your tour bus . my perspective is somewhat unique . i was raised in nearby La Grange , but spent 15 years in Maui where i came to know Willie as compassionate , kind hearted , and generous . He regularly performs for school fundraisers on Maui . Willie , Chris Cristofferson , and Randy Travis all donate stage time to raise funds for cancer treatment and give generously as part of the Maui Ohana . Kuleana is a Hawaiian word which essentially means we are all better off minding own business unless we are enfringed upon . This effort neither protected nor served the people of North Carolina . The voters will decide if this is where law enforcement should focus limited resources . Choose wisely . Aloha , Rob
ALE, Duplin County Sheriff’s deputies and Kenansville police didn’t smell pot before they busted Willie Nelson’s band and crew in Kenansville. The bust had been planned for days.
ALE officers from across North Carolina forced access to a secured area backstage, yelling “Which bus is Willie’s?” “Where is Willie Nelson?”
Law enforcement prematurely blew it. Trying to grab headlines for busting Willie Nelson and family, they shot their wad before the man of the hour had arrived on site. ALE officers had to content themselves with giving criminal citations to Willie’s fans who were tailgating on the Event Centers lawn and stopping passing vehicles for “license checks.”
Willie’s hand may have hurt, but the concert was cancelled because of the Narcs.
It is interesting to note that North Carolina District Attorney Dewey Hudson and Duplin County Sheriff Blake (Barney) Wallace were both at the concert. Hudson is running for Charlie Albertson’s NC Senate seat and Wallace is running for reelection.
This caper is reminiscent of former District Attorney Mike Nifong’s illegal prosecution of the Duke Lacross Team in a failed attempt to make headlines for his political campaign.
It’s also amazing that the Duplin County Sheriff’s department says they didn’t know anything about or participate in the bust when they had as many as fifteen deputies and narcotics officers at the concert in addition to the 13 ALE cops and the town’s police.
Willie played in Rome, Georgia the next night. His concert in Asheville, scheduled for Saturday, may have been officially cancelled because of the weather, but the fact is, Willie’s not returning to North Carolina for further harassment.
Here’s an official statement from ALE Special Agent in Charge Ted Carlton:
On Thursday, January 28, 2010, thirteen Alcohol Law Enforcement Agents conducted Operation “On the Road Again” at the scheduled Willie Nelson concert in Kenansville, North Carolina. This operation consisted of enforcement teams working in and around the Duplin Event Center just prior to the scheduled concert. During this operation Alcohol Law Enforcement Agents cited 14 people on 25 various criminal charges. ALE was assisted by the Kenansville Police Department and the Duplin County Sheriff’s Department.
At approximately 6:40pm Alcohol Law Enforcement Agents entered one of the recreational vehicles used by Mr. Nelson’s band. Six members of his band and crew were cited on charges of non tax-paid alcohol (moonshine) possession and the possession of marijuana. None of the band members were placed under arrest and taken into custody. They were all issued citations and released prior to the time they were scheduled to go on stage. The band members were very cooperative and told the ALE Agents they were the nicest law enforcement officers they had ever encountered.
At approximately 8:00pm the fans attending the concert received word that the concert would be canceled. At first it was perceived this was due to the arrest of band members. Bass player Dan Spears advised Special Agent in Charge Ted Carlton the cancelation was due to Mr. Nelson’s health and not the criminal citations issued to the band members. This was verified with follow up news reports relaying information from Mr. Nelson’s website.
The General Manager of the Event Center, John Duane Vogt, along with one of his employees was charged with interfering with an Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent while the agent was performing an inspection of the licensed premises. A violation report will be submitted to the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission concerning these charges.
The goal of these operations is to make communities safer and improve the quality of life for law abiding citizens.
If you have any further questions please give me a call.
Special Agent in Charge Ted Carlton
910-395-3902
ALE, Duplin County Sheriff’s deputies and Kenansville police didn’t smell pot before they busted Willie Nelson’s band and crew in Kenansville. The bust had been planned for days.
ALE officers from across North Carolina forced access to a secured area backstage, yelling “Which bus is Willie’s?” “Where is Willie Nelson?”
Law enforcement prematurely blew it. Trying to grab headlines for busting Willie Nelson and family, they shot their wad before the man of the hour had arrived on site. ALE officers had to content themselves with giving criminal citations to Willie’s fans who were tailgating on the Event Centers lawn and stopping passing vehicles for “license checks.”
Willie’s hand may have hurt, but the concert was cancelled because of the Narcs.
It is interesting to note that North Carolina District Attorney Dewey Hudson and Duplin County Sheriff Blake (Barney) Wallace were both at the concert. Hudson is running for Charlie Albertson’s NC Senate seat and Wallace is running for reelection.
This caper is reminiscent of former District Attorney Mike Nifong’s illegal prosecution of the Duke Lacross Team in a failed attempt to make headlines for his political campaign.
It’s also amazing that the Duplin County Sheriff’s department says they didn’t know anything about or participate in the bust when they had as many as fifteen deputies and narcotics officers at the concert in addition to the 13 ALE cops and the town’s police.
Willie played in Rome, Georgia the next night. His concert in Asheville, scheduled for Saturday, may have been officially cancelled because of the weather, but the fact is, Willie’s not returning to North Carolina for further harassment.
Here’s an official statement from ALE Special Agent in Charge Ted Carlton:
On Thursday, January 28, 2010, thirteen Alcohol Law Enforcement Agents conducted Operation “On the Road Again” at the scheduled Willie Nelson concert in Kenansville, North Carolina. This operation consisted of enforcement teams working in and around the Duplin Event Center just prior to the scheduled concert. During this operation Alcohol Law Enforcement Agents cited 14 people on 25 various criminal charges. ALE was assisted by the Kenansville Police Department and the Duplin County Sheriff’s Department.
At approximately 6:40pm Alcohol Law Enforcement Agents entered one of the recreational vehicles used by Mr. Nelson’s band. Six members of his band and crew were cited on charges of non tax-paid alcohol (moonshine) possession and the possession of marijuana. None of the band members were placed under arrest and taken into custody. They were all issued citations and released prior to the time they were scheduled to go on stage. The band members were very cooperative and told the ALE Agents they were the nicest law enforcement officers they had ever encountered.
At approximately 8:00pm the fans attending the concert received word that the concert would be canceled. At first it was perceived this was due to the arrest of band members. Bass player Dan Spears advised Special Agent in Charge Ted Carlton the cancelation was due to Mr. Nelson’s health and not the criminal citations issued to the band members. This was verified with follow up news reports relaying information from Mr. Nelson’s website.
The General Manager of the Event Center, John Duane Vogt, along with one of his employees was charged with interfering with an Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent while the agent was performing an inspection of the licensed premises. A violation report will be submitted to the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission concerning these charges.
The goal of these operations is to make communities safer and improve the quality of life for law abiding citizens.
If you have any further questions please give me a call.
Special Agent in Charge Ted Carlton
910-395-3902
Here’s the latest on the show.
Sounds like it’s weather: http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010100129051
Or hand pain and moonshine: http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010100129058
Whoops…..AC-T now posts Willie is postponed
Citizen-Times reports Clear Channel claims that Willie is still on
Willie postponed his show.
Perhaps both explanations for the cancelled concert were correct… Willie had carpel tunnel syndrome AND they had possession of marijuana and moonshine. Has no one put the two together and thought "medication?"
I happen to be of the mind that home-grown weed and home-made liquor should be legal. (Actually, home-made liquor IS legal to possess in NC but it has to be something small like under a gallon. Notice they confiscated pot and moonshine, but were only charge with misdemeanor marijuana possession.) I can take that opinion one step further and suggest if you know the person who grew or distilled it should be legal. Or at least if you heard the dude making it was cool. So there’s that.
Also, isn’t it an odd coincidence that the D.A. just HAPPENED to be at the Willie Nelson concert the same night A.L.E. agents decided to sniff up the band van? He was right there ready for anyone wanting a statement.