Thanks, Willie, for the friendly call

There was no way to prepare. There was no precedent.

I picked up the telephone, and Willie Nelson was on the other end. ``Hey, there. I'm looking for Sarah Henning,'' he said.

``That's me. How can I help you?'' I responded.

``Well, howdy, this is Willie Nelson,'' he said.

``Yeah, right,'' I said, snorting.

``No, this is really Willie,'' he said in a Texas accent.

Quick. Time to think of something he's never heard before, something impressive and insightful about his legendary career.

``Uh, Mr. Nelson. Uh ... '' was my brilliant, college-educated response.

Nelson spared me further humiliation. He said one of his employees had given him a copy of the concert review I'd written a few days earlier while working for the Forum in Fargo, N.D.

He said he liked being compared to Thoreau, simplicity is best and all that.

He thanked me.

Let's put this into context. That was 2001, the first year I'd worked as an arts and entertainment writer. Since then I've reviewed many national acts: Cher, Rob Zombie, Garth Brooks, Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban, etc.

Literally hundreds of readers have called or e-mailed their insightful critiques of my reviews, including the ever-popular ``You suck!'' and my personal favorite, ``You are trying to kill HIM & HIS FABULOUS MUSIC & I think you are sick!!!!!!!!!''

Never has a nationally known musician responded to something I wrote. Well, I take that back. Last spring, Don Henley called the Duluth News Tribune wanting me banned from the Eagles concert after I wrote that reunion tours are a marketing ploy. And they are.

But certainly, no nationally known musician has called to thank me. Until Willie Nelson.

What does that say about him? Possibly he was merely fighting tour bus boredom and had run out of reefer.

But maybe he's one of the few musicians who has a genuine appreciation for his musical career. He's 72 years old after all, and he has had his share of rough roads, including a recent carpal tunnel surgery. Yet he's still a road hound, still recording like mad and experimenting musically. He released his first reggae album this month, which is actually less weird than it sounds.

Really, I should thank Nelson.

I grew up in a household of two warring musical camps. My biker father listened to classic rock, and my horse-breakin' mama was strictly a country girl.

I eschewed both camps for Soundgarden, Green Day and Stone Temple Pilots (and a safely hidden Ini Kamoze ``The Hot Stepper'' tape).

When I left Grenville, S.D., (pop. 79) for college, I was intimidated and homesick. Steppenwolf (not surprisingly) did nothing for me but inspire me to read ``Hell's Angels.''

But a copy of ``Red Headed Stranger'' got me through more than a few lonely nights. Nelson's weathered voice, straightforward lyrics and dependable guitar Trigger were my musical comfort food.

It's just a bonus that Nelson was the first celebrity who called me not to promote a new album or concert, but to be a human being.

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If you go

What: Willie Nelson

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Duluth Entertainment Convention

Center Auditorium

Cost: $39.50, $49.50, $75

Tickets: Visit the DECC box office or call Ticketmaster at 727-2121 or go to www.ticketmaster.com.

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