Americana Spirit 8/14/2007

8/14/2007 Stephen L. betts     Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel were among the performers gathered Friday night (Aug. 10) in Austin, Texas, for Austin Freedom Fest, a benefit concert for four pro-marijuana groups, including the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and the Marijuana Policy Project. CMT.com reports that the event at the Backyard music venue was hosted by Mark Stepnoski, a former lineman for the Dallas Cowboys. Willie told cable channel News 8 Austin, "We would like to see [marijuana] put in the same category as cigarettes and alcohol ... where we can take it out of the hands of the illegal drug dealers. Empty the cells of all the pot smokers and get them out of jail so you'll have more room for the child molesters and pedophiles out there who they keep releasing to throw pot smokers in. ... The law needs to be changed." Willie is co-chairman of NORML's advisory board.   On the AMERICANA AIRPLAY chart this week, Ryan Adams holds the top spot with Easy Tiger, while new entries from Burrito Deluxe (Disciples of Truth) and Pam Tillis (Rhinestoned) are among the new entries.