Willie Nelson Live At The Ryman 7:30pm Tonight

Tough as it may be to pin a definition on “Americana,” Willie Nelson is its godfather. He’s spent the past six decades blending traditions from all across the spectrum of American music with results that are rich, complex and an absolute joy to hear. Almost every song in his catalog could be fodder for an extensive essay, from early classics like “Hello Walls” — a song that’s as R&B as it is country, and is simultaneously one of the funniest and most heartbreaking songs ever written about loneliness — to the title track from his 2014 LP Band of Brothers, a waltz with a snarling rock edge about making a living in today’s music industry. All three times Nelson has played Nashville in the past two years — including a stop at Third Man for a star-studded taping of CMT Crossroads to celebrate his 80th birthday — he was at the top of his game, as genteel host and leader of a hot band that borrows as much from Memphis soul and Chicago blues as it does from Bakersfield country. Just make sure you’re ready to sing along when he asks you to; otherwise, it’s as awkward as yuppies asking if you’re holding. STEPHEN TRAGESER

– Nashville Scene