Willi Carlisle | "Angels" | Western AF 

Holy shit I went to college with this guy. I always knew he was talented, but never knew he actually made it as a musician. Way to go Willi!

Some might say this is a stretch, but in my opinion, his songwriting is every bit as good as Bob Dylan's. I rarely compare one artist to another. But lyricists this talented come along but once or twice a generation, and I just can't think of anyone else in modern music quite this special. Cheers, Willi! Hope to see you live one day soon.

"I need the master's leash more than it needs me" damn that's a good line. This song has some gold standard writing.

To the lady wiping away the tears in the back I feel you. One the best song writers of our time. Mad love for Willi and his friends.

I've listened to this song 100+ times and "I'll be ashes if you be dust" still gives me chills

pretty telling when strangers sitting behind him are wiping tears away .... beautifully written/ performed tune

This video actually reminds me a lot of the towns van zandt video where he plays waiting around to die and the guy listening can’t help but cry. It’s just raw freakin talent that anyone can relate to and can make any of us cry.

I never noticed this till now… at the beginning of the song, the background is busy and bustling. By the end, everyone’s locked in and giving their undivided attention. Willi is going to go down as one of the greats.

This one got me pretty choked up. This man gives a voice to a lot of my pain.

Is it just me, or does anyone else see the pain in this man's eyes. You can feel his hurt through his voice and playing.

This song is touching. It reminds me of how much I love my dog

First the bar was doing it's thing, then Willi starts playing and they started to listen... by the end all eyes are on him and there's a woman tearing up in the background. Willi's music is something special.

One of the most beautiful things I've ever heard.

I show Willi to everyone I can. Thanks for the music!

Beautiful song! One of the ladies in the background was my soil science professor at UW!

Everyone stopped what they were doing and sat and listened

You had me at southern Illinois. That’s Where I’m from. I can’t wait for flipping live shows again

Willi, I keep coming back to many of your songs. Especially this one. Thanks for everything, brother

I can't thank you enough for this Willi. This is life saving music.

The vibrato in his voice plucks at my heartstrings, but 3:15 brought me goosebumps and tears.

Thank you Western AF. Thank you Willi. Cant wait for the new album.

"'I think that I love you' and 'I know we are all dyin', why the fuck should that be what we alternately believe?" This is such a beautiful and poignant line. I'm waiting for angels to carry me back home too.

Love that I found this guy through Western AF, can't stop listening. This video is beautiful and makes me want to play the honky tonks again.

"One good look at her shinning smile and you can tell she will never be mine"....You hit it square.

Try playing and singing this song, it's harder than you would expect. Willi is a master and to create something so beautiful and personal should never be overlooked. Show this to everyone you know.

Man shit, this channel is a god send

great poetry and such feeling, I swear musicians are just as good now as ever

This guy is fuckin phenomenal and discovering his music made my entire year

Come back to this so much. People talk about "moments". What I would give to have been in that bar when this went down...

When he starts playing you can see heartbreak come into his eyes. This dudes so fucking talented

Willi is a fantastic human and a joy to know.

I've never heard anyone sum up what's its like to grow up in the Prairie State more than this guy. I got a girl in Southern Illinois too Willi. Thank you.

BEAUTIFUL

Love this thanks Mr. Carlisle you're awesome!

I felt this in my heart.....thank you for sharing your beautiful song!!

Willi's eyes tells a thousand stories beyond the song he is singing.

Keep rockin on Willi, you're such a beautiful soul.

OK, I just heard this guy one song ago five minutes ago and he's already grabbed my heart and touched my soul. Speechless....

One of my favorite Western AF. The people there had no fucking clue what they were about to get.

He’s everything. What a cowboy omgosh 😍

*needs whiskey* *gets whiskey* “Much needed” *plays whole song*

Anyone else noticed he gets the same look that amigo the devil gets while he performs. It is almost a mental dissociation to what they are playing and singing, while their soul and emotions explode through unrestricted.

Song gives me chills!!!!

From Australia....I hope the USA wakes the F up and discovers this man. Jesus Christ....those lyrics. I am a HUGE John Prine fan and this bloke is a JP clone!

Never stop writing songs

Theres a reason this was shot at the Buckhorn. The Buckhorn is the only place that can fix this level of hurt.

It all goes down at The Buck!

Good voice and lyrics! Young man, good at ya!

This hits me right in the feels

Great voice and playing. Nicely done Willi!

You’re the fuckin man willi, ur music is like top shelf whiskey, the more I consume it the better it gets.

Jeez man, as an ex army sniper, this takes me to places I'd rather forget. But so many memories of faces that got me back home. Thank you

We are truly blessed by this man and his words 🙏

Excellently written and played. We need more music like this with heart in it.

I'm not even religious, but this is just another song I've attached myself too. The past 10 years of my life have driven me to depression, and nihilism, and while I don't believe in angels I do want someone to bring me home.

HELL YES WILLI!

Wow brother. Great song

I love how real this man is

Beautiful song

Pulled my heart right out of my chest

Simply amazing...

Great tune Willi! 👍

Thank you

Where at in southern IL? That's where I'm from lol. This guy is good. 👊

Good tune!

2 seconds in his fingers were impersonating the late TOWNES VAN ZANT. Rip

my first time hearing Willi, great stuff, well put man

Willi, you're just as amazing as always!

I was born on the wide prairie with it's wheat so wild and strong. I left my home when I turned twenny-one Still dunno if I was wrong. 'Cuz I know a girl down in southern Illinois Who has me tangled up like kudzu vines One good look at her shinin' smile, You can tell she'll never be mine. And to tell you the truth, I miss all the laughs Of lovin' one another like sociopaths So I'm waitin', I'm waitin', I'm waitin', I'm waitin', For angels to carry me back home. If I was a bird, I'd tear up my throat Throwin' songs across telephone wires. If I was a dog I'd rattle my chain, Let my handlers decide how I live, how I die. I'd howl at the wind, and piss on the grass So they'd know who I was. Ask me why I leave a dying trace, It's either for fear or maybe because, Well to tell you the truth, I can't go free: I need the master's leash more than it needs me. So I'm waitin', I'm waitin', I'm waitin', I'm waitin', For angels to carry me back home. And I think I've arrived maybe once every year When I'm laughin' with friends before we leave. I think that I love you, I know that we're dyin... Why the fuck should that be what we alternatingly believe? What makes one feel holy makes another feel broke, Like I'm mostly my hat, like I'm mostly my coat, And that lovers will lie is one thing you can trust, So what we ain't said might still save us. I'll be ashes if you be dust. And to tell you the truth, I think god's there still, In a sweet lovin' westland over the hill. So I'm waitin', I'm waitin', I'm waitin', I'm waitin', For angels to carry me back home. So I'm waitin', I'm waitin', I'm waitin', I'm waitin', For angels to carry me back home.

Yay, Willi!!! This is amazing!

beautiful

Wow. Powerful emotion. GREAT!!

I love this channel! Can I get an amen?

thank you friends :)

Fuck! AMAZING!!!

Awesome!! Do you have a CD for sale? If you ever head south to Denver let me know, we can drink whisky for breakfast.

Great jam

“You can tell ‘she’ll never be mine”

Good Job, sounds great !

yes please

Love it, Willi

love this.

More. I want a name. A channel. And more. You are as country as they come and cowboy asf. Legendary

Me too brother.

I love you will

this kicks butt

Amazing! I couldn't help but feel a strong "Possessed By Paul James" vibe. I'll definitely be doing a deep dive into these tunes ☺️

I FELT this. Something about this guy feels so authentic and raw. Yes!

my eyes got a bit moist with respect there, sir

This is a man who must have listened to Hemingway when he said "Forget your personal tragedy. We are all bitched from the start and you especially have to hurt like hell before you can write seriously. But when you get the damned hurt, use it - don't cheat with it."

Needed this

Alright you got me I'm subbed

Awesome song

Pretty🖤

Went to school in Laramie used to get hammered in that bar with my fake ID. Hasn’t changed in almost 14 years.

Watch the background for a masterclass in empathy.

muito bom !!!

I miss all the laughs of loving one another like sociopaths?? Whoa

it might be the selfmade haze in my mind and eyes, but i am pretty sure his eyes tear up just like mine do.

What part of southern Illinois. I probably know her