Willie Nelson draws a crowd

In a music industry town where it’s easy to feel we’ve seen it all, there was something downright inspiring about Willie Nelson’s “Outlaws and Angels” concert Wednesday at the Wiltern LG Theatre -- an all-star pairing of country and rock stars so soulful at times that it felt simply glorious.

There was such good karma during the evening, which was taped for a USA Network TV special, that the audience actually rooted for technical glitches so the musicians would have to run through various songs a second time.

Who wouldn’t want a repeat of some of the night’s memorable matchups?

There was Bob Dylan, a surprise guest on the show, trading vocal lines with Nelson on “You Win Again,” Hank Williams’ classic tale of romantic obsession.

Then Merle Haggard, the most influential country singer of his generation, and Toby Keith, a contemporary country star who showed surprising vocal authority himself, hooked up with Nelson on “Pancho and Lefty,” Townes Van Zandt’s hauntingly seductive story about freedom and betrayal.

Haggard and Keith teamed again for a vigorous rendition of “Mama Tried,” Haggard’s signature tune about his own rowdy, restless youth.

Near the end of the concert, rock pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis, looking rejuvenated at 68, sang “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On” with such force that not even Kid Rock’s hammy antics could spoil it. Lewis was backed by a battery of guitarists, including Keith Richards, Haggard and Nelson.

The Rolling Stones guitarist also sang his heart out, showing a surprising tenderness duetting with Nelson on “We Had It All,” a 1973 hit for Nelson’s outlaw buddy, Waylon Jennings.

It was disarming just to watch the joy on Richards’ face as he stood alongside some of his musical heroes -- smiling from ear to ear after the Nelson number and walking over twice to shake hands with Lewis.

And so it went for more than two hours: Al Green, arguably the premier soul singer ever, setting off sparks when paired with Nelson on a couple of numbers, including Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away”; the dynamic Shelby Lynne joining Nelson on the brooding “Stormy Weather”; Lucinda Williams and Nelson capturing perfectly the ache of her eloquent “Over Time”; and blues-rocker Ben Harper connecting with reggae’s Toots Hibbert on the infectious “Pressure Drop.”

There were so many performers you needed a scorecard (others included Carole King, Rickie Lee Jones, Lee Ann Womack, the Holmes Brothers and Los Lonely Boys -- plus a massive house band).

Not everyone stood out, but a high percentage did, suggesting that talent, like water, finds its own level. You can see why Nelson can attract the best whenever he sends out the call, whether at his old Dripping Springs reunions in Texas or what has become an annual event for USA.

Cable networks have given us some noteworthy pop specials in recent years, but they tend to want fresh faces each time. It’s easy, however, to see why USA, which will air the special on Memorial Day, is so enthralled with Nelson, whose crinkled face and soulful eyes seduce the camera just as his graceful music has seduced us for decades.

On stage Wednesday, Nelson’s music blended country, blues, gospel, rock and pop elements so seamlessly that it felt as drawn from the nation’s back roads and valleys.

The cable channel has brought him back for the third year, moving the concert site from Nashville in 2002 to New York last year to here. The format doesn’t limit the selections to Nelson songs, though, heaven knows, he has enough great songs to fill several hours of programming.

Nelson is part of the magnificent crop of artists who came out of country music in the ‘50s and ‘60s, a class that includes George Jones, Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette and Jennings.

Because of the dearth of truly soulful, heartfelt music in the pop arena these days, these artists are being rediscovered by fans hungry for more substantial fare.

It’s a trend that started in the ‘90s with producer Rick Rubin’s inspired work with Cash and continues with “Van Lear Rose,” the acclaimed new album that the White Stripes’ Jack White has made with Lynn.

Nelson has an album on the way that already has Nashville buzzing, and even Lewis is back in the studio, working with such celebrated guests as Bruce Springsteen, Haggard and Richards.

Maybe they can all get together again for next year’s Nelson and Friends special.