Willie Nelson

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Bert has brought much joy to Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute with his down to earth version of A Peaceful Solution. Bert puts his heart into his music and by adding a bit of extra lyrics emphasizes some important thoughts and feelings for A Peaceful Solution.

I am also enjoying his unique humor and friendly personality through our conversations by email. Enjoy a peek into this humble man’s heart so you can fall in love with him too.

Bert Griffin, a long time fan of Willie Nelson sent us some of his original songs. He writes, ” I write songs. The songs go where they go…”

After listening to many of Bert’s songs on Youtube I sent Bert email inviting him to create his own version of A Peaceful Solution.

Bert writes back, ” I don’t mind stepping on my songs, there’s just something wrong about stepping on a Willie Nelson song…”

I told Bert I knew he would do a great job and Willie Nelson wants people to create their own version of A Peaceful Solution in song and/or video. I tried to reassure Bert that no one was going to mind what he did with Willie’s song especially Willie Nelson. I told him actually we want to encourage unique versions.

So the next day I get another email from Bert and he says, ” Messing up a Willie Nelson song, how many times in life do you get that chance? But then again, ya’ll asked for it.

“Fair is fair, Willie Nelson should step on my songs. One can hope, right?”

Bert sent me the link to his song on video and I after listening to his version of A Peaceful Solution I read his description of the song where he writes a letter to Willie Nelson.

Willie Nelson,

Most people can say they’ve never stepped on a Willie Nelson song. Unfortunately, I’ve crossed that line. And it’s all Liz’s fault.

Liz made me do it. She said I couldn’t hurt it. Well, we now know better, don’t we? Once again, mischievous Liz bags another old geezer.

Well, Mr. Nelson, I’m sorry about your song.

Good luck with your peaceful solution.

Best Regards,

Bert Griffin

Bert was kind enough to take the time to give me some sincere painful answers to my questions which I think reflect a sentiment shared by too many people who they never get a chance to be heard. Thank you Bert for speaking for a significant silent group of human beings.

Please take the time and listen to some of Bert’s songs.

* * * * * Artist’s Statement * * * * *

Sorry, I’m not much help. These questions are way too big for this man. Again, y’all asked for it.

Why are you passionate about creating peace?

I’m not sure we, as a people, are capable of peace. I’m not sure what peace is. I’m pushing sixty; I’ve never known peace in the world.

How long have you been working for peace?

I don’t even know what that means.

What motivates you to work for peace and the environment?

Look at what we’ve done as a people. Look at the state, the worldwide environment finds itself in. We did it. We are doing it. We don’t care. Listen to my song Brown Dead Dry.

Why have you chosen the path of Art for Peace?

I’m just the wrong person for these questions. I would hope that in the art there is something called truth. Truth is pretty much a dead commodity. Grown people will stand in front of the world and tell the most ignorant lies and large gatherings will swear by it and swear at anyone that might questioned any of it. When I write a song, I usually have some untruth in mind. I try to express it in words and music. I try to tell the truth as I see it. But what do I know. I’ve been in the gatherings for almost sixty years.

I write songs. My songs go where they go. If somehow, by some unimaginable twist, my songs brought some peace, that would be beyond any of my expectations. Hell, I’m hoping to sell some music so I can pay some bills. I have so much debt. I worry that I may lose my house. I’m aging America.

What are your ideas for peaceful solutions?

In this world where the worst things you can imagine don’t even begin to capture the realities that have occurred and continue to occur, I find myself simply stunned and lost when looking to offer a peaceful solution.

Open Your Heart. Please tell us who you are.

I’m pretty much nobody. I’ve worked hard all my life. I lost my job for the most questionable and detestable of reasons. I wish there were hope and bright horizons. I wish I were the man bringing the insight and change to the effort required to create the solution for Peace on Earth. But I’m not; many far greater men than me have tried. Listen to my song God Said, Thomas and (He’s Standing) Make It Stop, Stop.

We the people just don’t care.

Why have you chosen this path?

I’m a desperate man. If my music doesn’t do anything, I have nowhere left to go. Hopefully no one feels the same way I do, but I’m sure I exemplify hardworking aging Americans that have been deemed irrelevant, expendable, and globally meaningless by the new world business models continuing to steamroll over the America that we built. Remember Ross Perot? He was our last hope. Less than twenty percent of the voters understood. I wonder what the percentage of understanding voters is now. Brazil, Russia, India, China, and so forth now do what we did. It’s hard to work for peace when you can’t find work because the work you do has been dealt to others around the world. Don’t waste too much time on my stuff, maybe somebody out there has the Peaceful Solution, you’re looking for. I surely hope so.

Bert Griffin

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Tags: Arts, Peace, song-contest, video-contest, willie-nelson-peace-research-institute

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