My grandpa, Hugo Palavicino, immigrated from Chile in the 1970s amid political and social unrest. He settled in New York City, determined to build a new life. He arrived with a small carry-on and $10.

So it's come to this, has it? Willie Nelson, gen-u-wine Texas folk hero and one of country music's greatest living songwriters, has been reduced to peddling his product on television, along with Slim ...