Rock and roll darling Willie Nile is set to take the stage as the next headliner for The Flagpole Radio Café on Saturday, March 22. The event will be held at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street. Doors open at 6 pm, with the show starting at 7.

Flagpole Radio Café is a live variety show held six times a year at Edmond Town Hall. It’s made a name for itself as a longstanding local gem by blending live music, comedy sketches, and other performances.

Nile, who is currently in the middle of a short solo tour, told The Newtown Bee he is excited to rock the stage at Edmond Town Hall.

“We’re gonna play, have some good fun, and raise the roof,” Nile said March 11.

Nile is far from a stranger when it comes to touring. Releasing his self-titled debut album back in 1980, Nile has toured with legendary acts such as Bruce Springsteen and The Who throughout his multidecade career. He is known for his high-energy performances as much as he is for his poetic and heartfelt lyrics.

That energy and sharp lyrical wit translate over to critical acclaim, where Nile has been called “a river of energy” by Rolling Stone and “a man who embodies the spirit of rock and roll” by The Times of London.

Even with his career spanning 4½ decades, Nile said he has only become more confident about his music over time. He added that his passion for music and for writing has “not gone away in the least.”

“I still have that same fire as when I was in my 20s, and I’m still writing at the same pace,” he said. “The songs are still coming to me.”

To that end, Nile has released 14 albums since the start of his career in 1980, with his next album set to come out later this June. The album will be released on his own independent label, so Nile is doing a fan fund to raise money to help pay for manufacturing, studio costs, shipping, and more.

Nile said he is incredibly grateful to his fans for their support and wants to treat anyone who supports the fan fund. From handwritten lyrics and signed CD copies or vinyl to house concerts and personal tours of his neighborhood Greenwich Village, New York, Nile wants to give back to anyone who wants to give to him.

“The fans have been just great. I’m so grateful to them, which makes giving back just as great,” Nile said.

That said, Nile said he doesn’t put out records unless he really believes in them and thinks they’re special. He added that he “doesn’t just put them out to put them out.” With it being a little over three years since the release of The Day the Earth Stood Still, his last album, Nile said he’s excited to put the new one out into the world.

“I’ve got new, strong songs, some really great guest artists, and a really great rock and roll band,” Nile said. “So I’m lucky; very lucky.”

Around The World And Back Again

Nile said he couldn’t be more excited to carry that passion to Newtown this month. He is grateful, he said, to have a platform to express his thoughts, whether it’s about love and loss, partying on a Saturday night, the state of the world, and more.

“The simplest of things to the biggest of things; I get to express my feelings in that regard [through my music]. It’s a great outlet for me, especially with great musicians around me to help bring it to life,” Nile said.

Nile has also toured all over the world, from North America and the United Kingdom to Spain and Italy. He described himself as “always coming and going” due to touring, but also said he feels very grateful to have such an amazing opportunity.

Not only have the tours let him see many beautiful sites, but they have also helped him meet people who have become great friends over the years.

“It’s one of the nice things about playing music,” Nile said. “I mean, the travel can be tiring and all, but man, the sites I’ve seen, the places I’ve been ... I never in my wildest dreams imagined this. To see the things I have, I feel very lucky.”

As for what people take away from his shows, Nile said he hopes they walk out feeling a lot better than when they walked in. He describes his shows as “feel good shows,” something that picks people up when they need it most.

“If you go to one of my shows, you’re gonna have a lot of fun. You’re gonna laugh. You’re gonna sing. You’re gonna clap your hands. You’re just gonna walk out feeling better,” he promised.

He added he always goes out after his shows to say hello to people and sign CDs. One of his favorite parts about that tradition is seeing the joy on everyone’s faces. Nile said he hopes people can leave his shows inspired and feeling better because no matter how hard life is, music can pick people up. Nile said he’s no exception. Music helps pick him up, too, he said.

“If I can do that in some small way, I’m more than grateful,” Nile said.

Tickets for Flagpole Radio Cafe are $45. They can be purchased at flagpoleproductions.org.

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Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.