BRIARCLIFF, Texas – There was no giant party or outrageous celebration last weekend when county music legend Willie Nelson marked his 83rd birthday.
Nelson instead opted for doing what he enjoys most -- driving around his sprawling 700-acre Hill Country ranch near Briarcliff in his pickup truck, checking on the 70 or so horses roaming the place, and a stubborn mule named Willamina that Nelson says keeps the snakes and coyotes away.
"I look forward to being here and going up and saddling up a horse and riding whenever I want to," Nelson said. "To me, that's all that I ask, that's all I need."
When Nelson is not performing at one of the nearly 200 shows annually, he's at his ranch or at his home in Maui.
"I've got friends over there and here in Texas," he said. "You'll find me at one of those places or on the bus. That's my life and it's a good life."
Sometimes Nelson is serious and reflecting. But often as not, he weaves a sense of humor through the conversation.
Asked how he wanted to be remembered, Nelson chuckled and replied, "Well, if you've got some real good weed, you don't have to worry about it. You'll forget anyway."
Nelson is well known for advocating the legalization of marijuana.
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As for his decades of entertaining, Nelson said he has just one wish.
"Seriously, I want my fans to feel that they got their money's worth," he said. "They paid for a ticket and they saw a good show, that's all that I ask."
Nelson said there will still be many opportunities for fans to catch one of his shows. He has no plans to slow down.
"I'm pretty healthy. My family is healthy, and I'm thankful for the way things are," he said.