Blue Hair Drivin' in My Lane ...

Willie Nelson was in concert in Macon a few weeks ago. Some friends had invited me to go. A bunch of us got together and went to see George Jones at the City Auditorium back in January and had a great time.

I would have loved to have seen Willie, too, but I had another commitment. I heard him several years ago when he was in Atlanta with Waylon Jennings.

I first became a Willie Nelson fan when I heard the song “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain” from his “Red Headed Stranger” album.

But that song has changed for me ever since I met Charles Williams. I’ve never been able to hear it the same way, and I can blame it on Charles.

I met Charles back in April 2001 when we both were asked to participate in career day at Dodge County High School. It’s not easy to pin a label on Charles for any career day. He’s an entertainer, musician, artist, writer, storyteller, motivational speaker, successful businessman, pilot and dreamer. His calling cards say: "This man is Crazy ... and you'll love it!''

He lives in Chauncey, a small community near Eastman, so I started calling him “Crazy Charles from Chauncey.’’

He is president of a highly successful company called Marketing Advertising Consulting Services or “Macs!” for short. He has written a book called “Eat Here, Get Gas.” On the cover is a photo of him next to that Eastman icon, Stuckey’s.

Charles has performed his singing and comedy act in more than 20 states. Although he doesn’t look a thing like Willie Nelson, he does parodies of a couple of his songs that tickle my funny bone every time I hear it.

His takeoff on “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain” is a version he calls “Blue Hair Drivin’ in My Lane.’’

If you’ve ever gotten behind a little old lady in a Buick, you can relate to this song. It goes like this.

In the taillight's glow I seen her
Blue Hair Driving in My lane....
When she hit me and departed,
I knew they'd be no insurance claim....
From the towtruck I'll remember
Blue Hair Driving in my lane....

That’s not the only Willie song Charles has some fun with. He also does “Singing Through My Nose” to the tune of “You Were Always on My Mind.''

Maybe I should have showered
Using soap and real hot water.
I know my clothes are worn and faded...
My hair's longer than my daughters...
my teeth ain't white, they're yellow beige...
Cocaine does that so they sayyyy....
But I love singing through my nose....
I love singing through my nose....

See what I mean? You’ll never be able to listen to another Willie Nelson song the same way.