GUN BARREL CITY, Texas (KYTX) – This race for the White House has already been one of a kind – with candidates unlike any before. Could it get any more interesting? Just think about adding Willie Nelson to the mix.
An East Texas artist has Willie’s campaign sign ready if he decides to throw his hat in the ring, and it’s drawing a lot of attention.
You’ll likely see the mural “Down at the Corner Beer Joint,” in Gun Barrel City – especially if you’re "On the Road Again" "Somewhere Between" Mabank and Cedar Creek Lake, especially if "Yesterday's Wine" is out of the question once you "Go on Home."
That corner beer joint is The Great American Package Store. When Zak Taylor purchased the community staple in 2014, he had to do something about “The Wall.”
“First thing you saw when you came in town was a big ugly wall,” Taylor said.
With that in mind last year, Taylor called his friend Britney Samford – an artist known for her murals who also owns Stop-N-Gogh Art Studio in bordering Mabank.
“I really like street art because it's open to the public and, indirectly, I'm part of people's memories,” Samford explained.
Up for the challenge, she told Taylor: "You Got The Money, I Got The Time." However, it took some time for the project to come together.
“I waited about a year,” Samford said. “I couldn't decide how I wanted to do it. Then, I saw the poster for Willie for President and I thought 'that's it that's perfect.’”
“Just "Look What Thoughts Will Do.” – That realization came in May, and after two weeks of working outside in "Stormy Weather," Samford had completed her latest mural proclaiming – “Willie for President.”
“Willie unites people in many ways, and has for longer than I've been alive,” Samford said. “I thought with it being an election year, it's a comic relief for what we're dealing with right now.”
With some thinking that "It's All Going to Pot" if voters elect Trump or Clinton, it begs the question: Would Willie actually make a good candidate? He seems to have some supporters.
“Of course,” Samford said with a laugh. “Willie would make a fantastic president.”
“I try not to get too political,” Taylor said. “But it'd probably be pretty good.”
Richard Hinds, a Mabank attorney who regularly passes by the mural, said he likes Willie’s odds in the election.
“I'd vote for him if they put him up against the other two,” said Hinds.
What would happen if Willie became commander in chief? Hinds think the White House might take on a new party atmosphere.
“He'd probably get drunk, get high, write a song, make a million dollars, and not pay his taxes,” Hinds said. “You gotta love that.”
Even if Willie won't be taking an oath on the "Family Bible" come January, his campaign sign gives people "Something to Talk About,” and is creating "Sweet Memories" for the “Honkey Tonk Women” (er…woman) behind it.
Willie shared photos of Samford's mural on his Facebook page.
"Just for him to share it was a compliment," the artist said.
Even more of a compliment for Samford came news that the post was shared more than 9,000 times in the first week.
