We typically don't toot our own horns, but we gotta tell you that the Weekly was the first media outlet around to note the decline in Willie Nelson's guitar prowess (ÒPoet, Picker, Prophet,Ó by Jeff Prince, May 1, 2003): ÒHis guitar playing was missing its snap. ... He'd surely played 'Whiskey River' a million times, yet he missed several chords and licks.Ó Then, as we're sometimes wont to do, we reiterated the point, in a recent review of Willie's Live at Billy Bob's Texas (ÒListen Up,Ó also by Prince, April 21, 2004): ÒGuitar players in their 40s and 50s complain that their fingers stiffen with age and become more difficult to maneuver around a fretboard. Nelson is 71. Presumably, so are his fingers.Ó Now, it ain't no fun holding Willie's Òtenny shoesÓ to the fire, but it's part of our job -- and it's the American way.

So it was with great relief that we Weekly staffers heard about Willie's mid-May carpal tunnel surgery. It confirmed our suspicions while offering hope that our favorite living Texan will regain his old form, although a FOW (Friend O' Willie) recently told us in an e-mail, ÒWaylon [Jennings] had this type of condition and was never able to pick as well after he had the operation.Ó

Worse, there's a chance that rehabilitation will prevent Willie from playing Trigger, his Martin classical guitar (or any guitar for that matter), during his July Fourth Picnic in the Stockyards this summer. The good news, though, is that Willie will make the scene, a-sangin' if not a-pickin'.

He'll no doubt be a-puffin' as well. Despite his penchant for entangling himself in legal snafus, Willie encourages all the pot jokes thrown his way. Reba McIntire recently noted that Willie's surgery marked the first time he's had trouble with a joint. Former President Jimmy Carter supported Willie -- even after the latter smoked weed on the White House roof. And super-patriot Toby Keith has been burnin' for Willie for years. The beauty of it all is, Mary Jane will more likely be decriminalized in an environment where tv stars, former presidents, and hawks all express love for a self-described head.

One of the greatest moments during this past weekend's Music Awards celebration was when blues winner Johnny Mack dedicated his victory to Robert Ealey, a legendary Fort Worth bluesman if ever there was one. The timing was great, too, considering that on Monday night, June 14, the Second Annual Robert Ealey Memorial Jam will take place at Jubilation. On the bill is a murderer's row of talent, including co-host James Hinkle, plus Ray Sharpe, Holland K. Smith, Rex Mauney (Toby Keith's keyboardist), Gunzy Trevino, and the Mack Attack himself. No cover, no donations accepted. The event's more like a really heartfelt birthday party than a wake. The Jube's located at 8204 Bedford-Euless Rd., North Richland Hills. For more info, call 817-577-2006 or surf to www.thejube.net.