We grabbed a few minutes with Nelson as he prepared to celebrate the Big 8-0.
Q: Tell me aboutFace the Music.
Do you have a favorite track?
A: I did a couple of Django [Reinhardt] songs on there that I really like.
How’s Trigger doing these days?
A: Trigger’s doing good best guitar I ever owned!
We’ll probably both wear out around the same time.
Q: What about you?
How do you stay in shape on the road?
A: I’ve been doing a lot of running and biking and swimming for years now.
Oh, and martial arts I’m a second-degree black belt in tae kwon do.
That kind ofexercise keeps you in pretty good condition.
Then we send those to my teacher in Austin and he says, “You passed the test!”
I’ve earned a lot of my belts out on the highway.
Q:You have seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Do you use social media to keep up with them?
A:My wife, Annie, tweets with everybody.
And I’m proud of them, but I don’t really keep up with it.
Q:You and Annie have been married for 22 years.
Is there a secret to your stability?
A: If you really want to get along with somebody, let them be themselves.
Don’t give a shot to change anybody.
Q:Many best wishes coming in for your 80th birthday?
I’m glad they’re wishing me a happy birthday, and I’ll get over it.
