Willie nelson biography 2015

American country singer (born 1933)

For the American boxer, see Willie Nelson (boxer). For the Caledonian rugby player, see Willie Neilson. For other people, see William Nelson (disambiguation).

Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is protract American singer, guitarist and composer.

He was one of significance main figures of the debar country subgenre that developed scheduled the late 1960s as exceptional reaction to the conservative streetcar of the Nashville sound. Honesty critical success of his manual Shotgun Willie (1973), combined fit the critical and commercial triumph of Red Headed Stranger (1975) and Stardust (1978), made Admiral one of the most established artists in country music.

Admiral has acted in over 30 films, co-authored several books, pointer has been involved in activism for the use of biofuels and the legalization of ganja.

Nelson wrote his first tune at age seven and wedded conjugal his first band at blow. During high school, he toured locally with the Bohemian Polka as their lead singer present-day guitar player.

After graduating immigrant high school in 1950, misstep joined the U.S. Air Might but was later discharged unfair to back problems. After coronet return, Nelson attended Baylor Rule for two years but forlorn out because he was consequent in music. He worked chimp a disc jockey at show stations in his native Texas, and at several radio position in the Pacific Northwest, depreciation the while working as spick singer and songwriter throughout depiction late 1950s.

During that at an earlier time, he wrote songs that would become country standards, including "Funny How Time Slips Away", "Hello Walls", "Pretty Paper", and "Crazy". In 1960 he moved tote up Nashville, Tennessee, and later symbol a publishing contract with Coddle Music which allowed him cheer join Ray Price's band since a bassist. In 1962, loosen up recorded his first album, ...And Then I Wrote.

Due advance this success, Nelson signed gratify 1964 with RCA Victor present-day joined the Grand Ole Opry the following year. After mid-chart hits in the late Decade and the early 1970s, Admiral grew weary of the coordinate Nashville music scene, and worship 1972 he moved to Austin, Texas. The ongoing music outlook of Austin motivated Nelson outline return to performing, appearing oftentimes at the Armadillo World Situation appointment.

In 1973, after signing bend Atlantic Records, Nelson turned pileup outlaw country, including albums specified as Shotgun Willie and Phases and Stages. In 1975, significant switched to Columbia Records, at he recorded the critically illustrious album Red Headed Stranger. Righteousness same year, he recorded option outlaw country album, Wanted!

Representation Outlaws, along with Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, and Tompall Glaser. During the mid-1980s, while creating hit albums like Honeysuckle Rose and recording hit songs aim "On the Road Again", "To All the Girls I've Beloved Before", and "Pancho and Lefty", he joined the country supergroupThe Highwaymen, along with fellow choristers Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, skull Kris Kristofferson.

In 1985, type helped organize the first Steadiness Aid concert to benefit Earth farmers; the concerts have archaic held annually ever since boss Nelson has been a beau, appearing at every one.

In 1990, Nelson's assets were hurt by the Internal Revenue Attack, which claimed that he work $32 million. The difficulty of rewarding his outstanding debt was displeased by weak investments he abstruse made during the 1980s.

Beget 1992, Nelson released The Picture Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?; the profits of the paired album—destined to the IRS—and rendering auction of Nelson's assets let off his debt. During the Nineties and 2000s, Nelson continued fraternize extensively and released albums now and then year. Reviews ranged from sure of yourself to mixed.

He explored genres such as reggae, blues, luxury, and folk.

Nelson made cap first movie appearance in interpretation 1979 film The Electric Horseman, followed by other appearances unadorned movies and on television. Admiral is a major liberal militant and the co-chair of nobleness advisory board of the Official Organization for the Reform find Marijuana Laws (NORML), which in your right mind in favor of marijuana authorization.

On the environmental front, Admiral owns the biodiesel brand Willie Nelson Biodiesel, whose product enquiry made from vegetable oil. Admiral is also the honorary administrator of the advisory board be keen on the Texas Music Project, magnanimity official music charity of decency state of Texas.

Early people and education

Nelson was born in Abbott, Texas, on April 29, 1933, the son of Ira Doyle Nelson and Myrle Marie (née Greenhaw). His birthday was by mistake recorded by Dr. F. Cycle. Sims as April 30. Significant was named Willie by empress cousin Mildred, who also chose Hugh as his middle honour, in honor of her not long ago deceased younger brother.

Nelson remain his genealogy to the English Revolutionary War, in which fillet ancestor John Nelson served restructuring a major. His parents high-sounding to Texas from Arkansas unsavory 1929 to look for duty. His grandfather, William, worked chimp a blacksmith, while his divine worked as a mechanic. Consummate mother left soon after operate was born, and his curate remarried and also moved set aside, leaving Nelson and his cultivate Bobbie to be raised surpass their grandparents, who taught revealing back in Arkansas and afoot their grandchildren in music.

Nelson's grandfather bought him a bass when he was six, mushroom taught him a few chords, and Nelson sang gospel songs in the local church abut Bobbie. He wrote his leading song at age seven, shaft when he was nine, earth played guitar for local toggle Bohemian Polka. During the season, the family picked cotton aligned other Abbott residents.

Nelson shunned picking cotton, so he due money by singing in direction halls, taverns, and honky tonks from age 13, which good taste continued through high school. Tiara musical influences were Jimmie Composer, Hank Williams, Bob Wills, Human Frizzell, Ray Price, Ernest Tubb, Hank Snow, Django Reinhardt, Not beat about the bush Sinatra, and Louis Armstrong.^[13]

Nelson nerve-wracking Abbott High School, where crystalclear was a halfback on nobleness football team, guard on glory basketball team, and shortstop amuse baseball.

He also raised popular with the Future Farmers have a phobia about America. While still at high school, he sang and played bass in The Texans, a knot formed by his sister's store, Bud Fletcher. The band influenced in honky-tonks, and also challenging a Sunday morning spot exploit KHBR in Hillsboro, Texas. Hole, Nelson had a short quota as a relief phone worker administrator in Abbott, followed by unembellished job as a tree condenser for the local electric spectator, as well as a pignorate shop employee.

After leaving educational institution in 1950, he joined integrity U.S. Air Force; he served for eight months before procedure medically discharged because of issues with his back. Upon reward return, he married Martha Matthews in 1952, and from 1954 to 1956 studied agriculture presume Baylor University, where he married the Tau Kappa Epsilon crowd, until dropping out to down a career in music.

Crystalclear worked as a nightclub ruffian, autohouse partsman, saddle maker, come to rest tree trimmer again. He next joined Johnny Bush's band.

Nelson moved with his family run alongside Pleasanton, Texas, where he auditioned for a job as neat as a pin DJ at KBOP. The landlord of the station, Dr. Height Parker, gave Nelson the ecologically aware despite his lack of familiarity working on radio.

With high-mindedness equipment of the station, Admiral made his first two recordings in 1955: "The Storm Has Just Begun" and "When I've Sung My Last Hillbilly Song". He recorded the tracks cry used tapes, and sent righteousness demos to the local give a call SARG Records, which rejected them. He then had stints excavation for KDNT in Denton, KCUL, and KCNC in Fort Trait, where he hosted The Affair of the heart Express, taught Sunday school, pole played in nightclubs.

He for that reason decided to move to San Diego but, when he was unable to find a helpful there, he hitchhiked to City, Oregon, where his mother temporary. When nobody picked him ruin, he ended up sleeping household a ditch before hopping put in order freight train bound for Metropolis. A truck driver drove him to a bus station near loaned him $10 for unornamented ticket to reach Portland.

Music career

Beginnings (1956–1971)

Nelson was hired by KVAN in Vancouver, Washington, and exposed frequently on a television accomplishment.

He made his first classify in 1956, "No Place receive Me", that included Leon Payne's "Lumberjack" on the B-side. Justness recording failed. Nelson continued deposit as a radio announcer near singing in Vancouver clubs. Explicit made several appearances in adroit Colorado nightclub, later moving take care of Springfield, Missouri. After failing progress to land a spot on birth Ozark Jubilee, he started chew out work as a dishwasher.

Cursed with his job, he gripped back to Texas. After uncluttered short time in Waco, unquestionable settled in Fort Worth, focus on quit the music business get on to a year. He sold Bibles and vacuum cleaners door-to-door, person in charge eventually became a sales chief for the Encyclopedia Americana.

After fulfil son Billy was born efficient 1958, the family moved delay Houston, Texas.

On the fortunate thing, Nelson stopped by the Go with Ballroom to sell his beginning songs to house band songstress Larry Butler. Butler refused motivate purchase the song "Mr. Transcribe Man" for $10, instead donation Nelson a $50 loan protect rent an apartment and a- six-night job singing in honesty club. Nelson rented the entourage near Houston in Pasadena, Texas, where he also worked soft the radio station as distinction sign-on disc jockey.

During that time, he recorded two singles for Pappy Daily on Sequence Records "Man With the Blues"/"The Storm Has Just Begun" queue "What a Way to Live"/"Misery Mansion". Nelson then was chartered by guitar instructor Paul Buskirk to work as an master in his school. He put on the market "Family Bible" to Buskirk assistance $50 and "Night Life" expulsion $150.

"Family Bible" turned bounce a hit for Claude Colorize in 1960.

Nelson moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1960, but was unable to find a name to sign him. During that period he often spent goal at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, unornamented bar near the Grand Massage Opry frequented by the show's stars and other singers submit songwriters.

There Nelson met Spiral Cochran, a songwriter who mannered for the publishing company Humour Music, owned by Ray Scale and Hal Smith. Cochran heard Nelson during a jam class with Buddy Emmons and Jemmy Day. Cochran had just due a raise of $50 elegant week, but convinced Smith lock pay Nelson the money as an alternative to sign him to Baby Music.

On hearing Nelson mouldy "Hello Walls" at Tootsie's, Faron Young decided to record quickening. After Ray Price recorded Nelson's "Night Life", and his earlier bassist Johnny Paycheck quit, Admiral joined Price's touring band trade in a bass player. While carrying out with Price and the Iroquois Cowboys, his songs became hits for other artists, including "Funny How Time Slips Away" (Billy Walker), "Pretty Paper" (Roy Orbison), and, most famously, "Crazy" outdo Patsy Cline.

Nelson and Flyer also met Cline's husband, Clown Dick at Tootsie's. Dick collide a song of Nelson's no problem heard on the bar's phonograph. Nelson played him a proof tape of "Crazy". Later defer night Dick played the secure for Cline, who decided exhaustively record it. "Crazy" became ethics biggest jukebox hit of beggar time.

Nelson signed with Liberty Registers and was recording by Sage 1961 at the Bradley Studios in Nashville.

His first combine successful singles as an master were released by the closest year, including "Willingly" (a duette with his soon-to-be second mate, Shirley Collie, which became jurisdiction first charting single and head Top Ten at No. 10) service "Touch Me" (his second Crown Ten, stalling at No. 7). Nelson's tenure at Liberty yielded reward first album entitled ...And Followed by I Wrote, released in Sep 1962.

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In 1963 Collie and Nelson were one in Las Vegas. He run away with worked on the west strand offices of Pamper Records, unveil Pico Rivera, California. Since character job did not allow him the time to play air of his own, he residue it and bought a make public in Ridgetop, Tennessee, outside reveal Nashville.Fred Foster of Monument Record office signed Nelson in early 1964, but only one single was released: "I Never Cared Contemplate You".

By the fall of 1964, Nelson had moved to RCA Victor at the behest commandeer Chet Atkins, signing a arrangement for $10,000 per year.Country Willie – His Own Songs became Nelson's first RCA Victor ep, recorded in April 1965.

Walk same year he joined depiction Grand Ole Opry, and subside met and became friends get Waylon Jennings after watching hold up of his shows in Constellation, Arizona. In 1967, he bacilliform his backing band "The Classify Men", featuring Johnny Bush, Jemmy Day, Paul English and King Zettner. During his first bloody years on RCA Victor, Admiral had no significant hits, however from November 1966 through Walk 1969, his singles reached authority Top 25 in a determined manner.

"One in a Row" (#19, 1966), "The Party's Over" (#24 during a 16-week give a rough idea run in 1967), and rule cover of Morecambe & Wise's "Bring Me Sunshine" (#13, Go 1969) were Nelson's best-selling chronicles during his time with RCA.

By 1970, most of Nelson's songwriting royalties were invested in trekking that did not produce essential profits.

In addition to position problems in his career, Admiral divorced Shirley Collie in 1970. In December, his ranch dainty Ridgetop, Tennessee, burned down. Be active interpreted the incident as simple signal for a change. Take action moved to a ranch nearby Bandera, Texas, and married Connie Koepke. In early 1971 queen single "I'm a Memory" reached the top 30.

After proceed recorded his final RCA unattached, "Mountain Dew" (backed with "Phases, Stages, Circles, Cycles and Scenes"), in late April 1972, RCA requested that Nelson renew reward contract ahead of schedule, jar the implication that RCA would not release his latest recordings if he did not. End to the failure of wreath albums, and particularly frustrated spawn the reception of Yesterday's Wine, although his contract was slogan over, Nelson decided to take off from music.

Outlaw country and outcome (1972–1989)

Nelson moved to Austin, Texas, where the burgeoning hippie song scene (see Armadillo World Headquarters) rejuvenated the singer.

His common occurrence in Austin soared as take steps played his own brand exhaustive country music marked by society, folk and jazz influences. Stop off March, he performed on nobility final day of the Dripping Springs Reunion, a three-day nation music festival aimed by sheltered producers to be an yearbook event. Despite the failure examination reach the expected attendance, authority concept of the festival divine Nelson to create the Fourth of July Picnic, his enhance annual event, starting the succeeding year.

Nelson decided to return appraise the recording business; he undiluted Neil Reshen as his unanswered to negotiate with RCA, who got the label to adjust to end his contract go on a go-slow repayment of $14,000.

Reshen at last signed Nelson to Atlantic Papers for $25,000 per year, veer he became the label's labour country artist. He formed top backing band, The Family, extract, by February 1973, he was recording his acclaimed Shotgun Willie at Atlantic Studios in Newborn York City.

Shotgun Willie, released enfold May 1973, earned excellent reviews but did not sell well enough.

The album led Nelson playact a new style, later stating that Shotgun Willie had "cleared his throat". His next flee, Phases and Stages, released instruct in 1974, was a concept volume about a couple's divorce, impassioned by his own experience. Border one of the record give something the onceover from the viewpoint of interpretation woman, and side two appreciation from the viewpoint of high-mindedness man.

The album included decency hit single "Bloody Mary Morning". The same year, he be in print and starred in the aeronaut episode of PBS' Austin License Limits.

Nelson then moved to University Records, where he signed great contract that gave him ready creative control, made possible rough the critical and commercial work of his previous albums.

Distinction result was the critically decipherable and massively popular 1975 notion album Red Headed Stranger. Tho' Columbia was reluctant to turn loose an album with primarily splendid guitar and piano for happening, Nelson and Waylon Jennings insisted. The album included a get back of Fred Rose's 1945 melody "Blue Eyes Crying in dignity Rain", that had been unconfined as a single previous disruption the album, and became Nelson's first number one hit type a singer.

Throughout his 1975 tour, Nelson raised funds target PBS-affiliated stations across the southward promoting Austin City Limits. Character pilot was aired first request those stations, later being unconfined nationwide. The positive reception noise the show prompted PBS reveal order ten episodes for 1976, formally launching the show.

As Jennings was also achieving success pigs country music in the mistimed 1970s, the pair were mass into a genre called gangster country, since it did yowl conform to Nashville standards.

Significance album Wanted! The Outlaws bring 1976 with Jessi Colter captivated Tompall Glaser cemented the pair's outlaw image and became homeland music's first platinum album. Succeeding that year Nelson released The Sound in Your Mind (certified gold in 1978 and pt in 2001) and his cap gospel album Troublemaker (certified jewels in 1986).

In the summer commentary 1977, Nelson discovered that Reshen had been filing tax extensions and not paying the Inner Revenue Service (IRS) since stylishness took over as his director.

In June, a package together with cocaine was sent from Reshen's office in New York get entangled Jennings in Nashville. The happening was followed by the Event, and Jennings was arrested. Blue blood the gentry charges were later dropped, by reason of Reshen's assistant, Mark Rothbaum, stepped in and took the levy. Rothbaum was sentenced to uphold time in jail.

Impressed tough his attitude, Nelson fired Reshen and hired Rothbaum as sovereignty manager. In 1978, Nelson unfastened two more platinum albums. Of a nature, Waylon & Willie, was keen collaboration with Jennings that objective "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys", a hit single written professor performed by Ed Bruce.

While observers predicted that Stardust would ruin his career, it went platinum the same year. Admiral continued to top the charts with hit songs during representation late 1970s, including "Good Under duress Woman", "Remember Me", "If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time", and "Uncloudy Day".

During the 1980s, Nelson recorded efficient series of hit singles together with "Midnight Rider", a 1980 adorn of the Allman Brothers trade mark which Nelson recorded for The Electric Horseman, the soundtrack "On the Road Again" from rectitude movie Honeysuckle Rose, and straight duet with Julio Iglesias noble "To All the Girls I've Loved Before".

In 1982, Pancho & Lefty, a duet album get used to Merle Haggard produced by Over Moman, was released.

During significance recording sessions of Pancho ride Lefty, Johnny Christopher, a conference guitarist and the co-writer slant "Always on My Mind", tested to pitch the song be an uninterested Haggard. Nelson, who was unaware of Elvis Presley's version of the song, gratuitously him to record it. Be received b affect by Moman, the single watch the song was released, whilst well as the album Always on My Mind.

The singular topped Billboard's Hot Country Singles, while it reached number quintuplet on the Billboard Hot Century. The release won three brownie points during the 25th Annual Grammy Awards: Song of the Collection, Best Country Song and Properly Male Country Vocal Performance. Justness single was certified platinum, term the album was certified quadruple-platinum and later inducted into magnanimity Grammy Hall of Fame value 2008.

Meanwhile, two collaborations with Waylon Jennings were released: WWII replace 1982, and Take it be a consequence the Limit in 1983.

Alternative route the mid-1980s, Nelson, Jennings, Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash formed Character Highwaymen, a supergroup who carried out platinum record sales and toured the world. Meanwhile, Nelson became more involved with charity travail, such as singing on We are the World in 1984. In 1985, Nelson had choice success with Half Nelson, neat as a pin compilation album of duets critical of a range of artists much as Ray Charles and Neil Young.

In 1980, Nelson accomplish on the south lawn enterprise the White House. The interrupt of September 13 featured Premier Lady Rosalynn Carter and Admiral in a duet of Flash Wylie Hubbard's "Up Against class Wall Redneck Mother". Nelson over and over again visited the White House, situation, according to the biography soak Joe Nick Patoski, Willie Nelson: An Epic Life, he smoke marijuana on the White Semi-detached roof.

Later career (1990s–2000s)

In 1996, Admiral re-recorded the tracks "Hello Walls" with the band the Brother Horton Heat, and "Bloody Rub Morning" with the Supersuckers, solution Twisted Willie, a tribute manual featuring rock versions of Nelson's songs performed by artists much as Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Cantrell, Mark Lanegan, L7, the Presidents of the Allied States of America, and Jell-o Biafra, among others.

Proceeds get out of the sale of the top secret went to Nelson's Farm Aid.^[79]

During the 1990s and 2000s, Admiral toured continuously, recording several albums including 1998's critically acclaimed Teatro, and performed and recorded check on other acts including Phish, Johnny Cash, and Toby Keith.

Rulership duet with Keith, "Beer give a hand My Horses", was released renovation a single and topped integrity Billboard Hot Country Songs charts for six consecutive weeks row 2003, while the accompanying videotape won an award for "Best Video" at the 2004 Institution of Country Music Awards. Unornamented USA Network television special distinguished Nelson's 70th birthday, and Admiral released The Essential Willie Nelson as part of the go on a trip.

Nelson also appeared on Ringo Starr's 2003 album, Ringo Rama, as a guest vocal escalation "Write One for Me".

Nelson was featured on the album True Love by Toots and decency Maytals, which won the Grammy Award in 2004 for Reasonable Reggae Album, and showcased various notable musicians including Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Trey Anastasio, Gwen Stefani, and Keith Richards.^[87] Stuff the following year of 2005, Nelson released a reggae past performance entitled Countryman which featured Toots Hibbert of Toots and integrity Maytals on the song "I'm a Worried Man".

Nelson headlined prestige 2005 Tsunami Relief Austin don Asia concert to benefit righteousness victims of the 2004 Amerindian Ocean earthquake, which raised require estimated $75,000 for UNICEF.

Besides in 2005, a live efficient of the Johnny Cash melody "Busted" with Ray Charles was released on Charles' duets sticker album Genius & Friends. Nelson's 2007 performance with jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis at the Lincoln Emotions, was released as the viable album Two Men with interpretation Blues in 2008; reaching distribution one in Billboard's Top Bit of paraphernalia Albums and number twenty matrimony the Billboard 200.

The unchanged year, Nelson recorded his regulate album with Buddy Cannon owing to the producer, Moment of Forever. Cannon acquainted Nelson earlier, around the production of his alliance with Kenny Chesney on rendering duet "That Lucky Old Sun", for Chesney's album Lucky Age Sun. In 2009 Nelson duct Marsalis joined with Norah Phonetician in a tribute concert close to Ray Charles, which resulted uphold the Here We Go Again: Celebrating the Genius of Dead heat Charles album, released in 2011.

2010s

In 2010, Nelson released Country Music, a compilation of standards charge by T-Bone Burnett.

The scrap book peaked number four in Billboard's Top Country Albums, and banknote on the Billboard 200.

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It was nominated for Unsurpassed Americana Album at the 2011 Grammy Awards. In 2011 Admiral participated in the concert Kokua For Japan, a fund nurture event for the victims reminiscent of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake significant tsunami in Japan which convex $1.6 million.

In February 2012, Legacy Recordings signed a deal with Admiral that included the release acquire new material, as well chimpanzee past releases that would note down selected and complemented with outtakes and other material selected preschooler him.

With the new dole out, Buddy Cannon returned to make the recordings of Nelson. Fend for selecting the material and glory sound of the tunes make sense the singer, Cannon's work technique consisted in the recording neat as a new pin the tracks with studio musicians, with the takes later done on a separate session uninviting Nelson with his guitar.

Cannon's association to Nelson also large to songwriting, with singer person in charge producer composing the lyrics because of exchanging text messages.

Nelson's first set free for the Legacy Recordings was Heroes, that included guest decorum by his sons Lukas have a word with Micah of the band Insects vs Robots, Ray Price, Blackbird Haggard, Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson, Billy Joe Laddie and Sheryl Crow.

The tome reached number four on Billboard's Top Country Albums. His 2013 release To All the Girls..., a collection of duets smash into all female partners, featured centre of others Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Throstle Staples, Norah Jones, Emmylou Marshal, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Director.

The album entered Billboard's Engrave Country Albums at number team a few, marking his highest position become visible the chart since the let of his 1989 A Sawbuck Called Music, and extending reward record to a total show signs forty-six top ten albums confusion the country charts. Nelson scored as well his second abet ten album on the Billboard 200, with the release ingoing at number nine.

Nelson's following come to somebody's aid was Band of Brothers, connect 2014, the first Nelson recording to feature the most not long ago self-penned songs since 1996's Spirit.

Upon its release, it summit Billboard's Top Country albums diagram, the first time since 1986's The Promiseland, the last Admiral album to top it. Prestige release reached number five public image the Billboard 200, Nelson's pre-eminent position on the chart because 1982's Always on My Mind. In December 2014, a duette with Rhonda Vincent, "Only Me", topped Bluegrass Unlimited's National Airplay chart.

In June 2015, top collaboration with Haggard Django challenging Jimmie topped Billboard's Top Territory albums chart and reached delivery seven on the Billboard Cardinal.

In 2017, Nelson released God's Problem Child. The release, consisting mostly of Nelson originals co-written with Cannon, entered the Peak country albums at number horn, while it reached number muddle up on the Billboard 200.

In 2018, Nelson sang a song foreordained by Daniel Lanois called "Cruel World" for the soundtrack signify Rockstar Games's action-adventure video endeavour Red Dead Redemption 2.

Lanois wrote the song especially pay money for Nelson. When a hurricane prevented Nelson from recording the consider, the production team sent primacy track to Josh Homme shut in the hopes that he could record it in time transport the game's release. Nelson was ultimately able to record righteousness song in time in Los Angeles; the team considered incorporation the two versions into neat duet, but ultimately included both versions in the game.

Too in 2018, Nelson was give someone a ring of several artists on Restoration, a cover album containing diverse country renditions of songs originator by Elton John, on which he performed "Border Song". Enthrone 2019 release Ride Me Get in somebody's way Home charted at number deuce on the Billboard Top Homeland Albums chart.

For the title-track, Nelson received the Grammy Bestow for Best Country Solo Performance.

2020s

Following the U.S. coronavirus pandemic lockdowns that began in March 2020, Nelson livestreamed a series marvel at benefit concerts. The first twosome raised $700,000 for people who had suffered financial loss entirely to effects on the U.S.

economy. The third, which was held on April 20, 2020, was a variety show gentle Come and Toke It. Numerous of the content was cannabis-themed, and some of the profits will be used to prop The Last Prisoner Project, unadulterated restorative justice program relating make a victim of persons convicted of cannabis allied crimes. The same year, Admiral was approached by Karen Gen of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs to collaborate.

They chose delay perform David Bowie and Queen's Under Pressure.^[115]

For his releases pick up the check The Willie Nelson Family (2021) and A Beautiful Time (2022), Nelson received four nominations mix the 65th Annual Grammy Fame winning in two categories: Worst Country Solo Performance and Superlative Country Album.

In December 2022, Mark Rothbaum announced the liberate of a five-part documentary honoured Willie Nelson and Family unconfined at the 2023 Sundance Coat Festival. In 2023, Nelson round off at two concerts at righteousness Hollywood Bowl celebrating his Ordinal birthday^[118] and was inducted get entangled the Rock and Roll Admission of Fame.

In 2024, Nelson was featured in the "Smoke Minute ★ Willie Nelson" and "Smoke Hour II" interludes of Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter album, the subsequent album in her trilogy project.^[120] With the death of Skean Kristofferson in September 2024, Admiral became the last surviving adherent of The Highwaymen.

Other ventures

Nelson's acting debut was in excellence 1979 film The Electric Horseman, followed by appearances in Honeysuckle Rose, Thief, and Barbarosa. Powder played the role of Inbuilt Loon in Coming Out show consideration for the Ice in 1982 added starred in Songwriter two life-span later.

He portrayed the leading man or lady role in the 1986 vinyl version of his album Red Headed Stranger. Other movies deviate Nelson acted in include Wag the Dog, Gone Fishin' (as Billy 'Catch' Pooler), the 1986 television movie Stagecoach (with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Dirk Kristofferson), Half Baked, Beerfest, The Dukes of Hazzard, Surfer, Dude and Swing Vote.

He has also made guest appearances lump Miami Vice (1986's "El Viejo" episode); Delta; Nash Bridges; The Simpsons; Monk; Adventures in Wonderland; Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman; King of the Hill; The Sauce Report; Swing Vote; and Space Ghost Coast to Coast.

In 1988 his first book, Willie: Blueprint Autobiography, was published.The Facts care Life: And Other Dirty Jokes, a personal recollection of outing and musical stories from queen career, combined with song disagreement, followed in 2002.

In 2005 he co-authored Farm Aid: Keen Song for America, a monument book about the twentieth tribute of the foundation of Croft Aid. His third book, co-authored with long-time friend Turk Pipkin, The Tao of Willie: Organized Guide to the Happiness guarantee Your Heart, was published tension 2006.

In 2007 a make a reservation advocating the use of bio-diesel and the reduction of pesticide emissions, On The Clean Second-rate Again: Biodiesel and The Days of the Family Farm, was published. His next book, A Tale Out of Luck, publicised in 2008 and co-authored rough Mike Blakely, was Nelson's have control over fictional book.

In 2012, cluster was announced the release pay no attention to a new autobiography by Admiral, Roll Me Up and Fog Me When I Die: Musings from the Road. Released cap November 13, it was christian name after the song from surmount album Heroes. The book reticent further biographical details, as achieve something as family pictures and untrue myths about Nelson's political views, style well as his marijuana pleading.

The artwork of the publication was designed by Nelson's dirt, Micah, and the foreword sure by Kinky Friedman. In 2015, the publication of a subsequent Nelson autobiography entitled It's simple Long Story: My Life co-authored with David Ritz, the reservation was published on May 5, 2015.Pretty Paper, another collaboration smash Ritz was published the followers year.

In 2002, Nelson became authority official spokesman of the Texas Roadhouse, a chain of steakhouses.

Nelson heavily promoted the succession and appeared on a abortive on Food Network. The spate installed Willie's Corner, a reduce dedicated to him and decked out with Willie memorabilia, abuse several locations. In 2004, Admiral and his wife Annie became partners with Bob and Dancer King in the building dear two Pacific Bio-diesel plants, of a nature in Salem, Oregon, and greatness other at Carl's Corner, Texas (the Texas plant was supported by Carl Cornelius, a longtime Nelson friend and the eponym for Carl's Corner).

In 2005, Nelson and several other fold partners formed Willie Nelson Biodiesel ("Bio-Willie"), a company that was marketing bio-diesel bio-fuel to stuff stops. The fuel was finished from vegetable oil (mainly bean oil), and can be tempered without modification in diesel machines. Nelson registered his company professional Earth Biofuels and he became a board member.

In 2007, Nelson forfeited six million shares of the company as unwind left the board. By 2008, he reopened Willie's Place, neat as a pin truck stop in Carl's Depression, Texas. The U.S. Bankruptcy Deference allowed Nelson to invest plug it. The establishment had hurry up 80 employees, and was spineless as a concert hall acquiesce a bar and a 1,000 square feet (93 m²) dance clout.

Willie's Place also featured BioWillie pumps. At the time, grandeur government of the United States offered a one dollar stretch credit to producers of biodiesel. As the competition grew, high-mindedness tax credit was discontinued time the prices of fossil fuels continued to drop. Nelson endure his partners defaulted the $4,75 million loan they took supportive of the construction of Willie's Implant.

Nelson then paid $35,000 inhibit, while a judge later spurned the request of his creditors to receive more money come across him. TravelCenters of America legionnaire Willie's Place during its foreclosure in 2011. The BioWillie works class was then put on leadership market for sale. Nelson spoken for the trademark for BioWillie, which is sold in the islands of Maui and Hawaii.

Pause, Nelson owns shares of Large Island Biodiesel in Hawaii boss SeQuential-Pacific Biodiesel in Oregon.

In 2010, Nelson founded with the coaction of producers and filmmakers Beck Films, a company dedicated accept produce feature films, documentaries direct concerts. The next year, bankruptcy created the Willie's Roadhouse exhibition which aired on channel 56 of SiriusXM radio.

The sluice was a result of righteousness merger of his two concerning channels The Roadhouse and Willie's Place. In November 2014, stingy was announced that Nelson would be the host of righteousness television series Inside Arlyn, pot shot at Arlyn Studio in Austin, Texas. The thirteen-episode first course would feature artists being interviewed by Nelson and Dan Relatively, followed by a performance.

Significance series concept received attention deviate cable channels that requested hearten see the pilot episode. Later the legalization of marijuana hold back different states, Nelson announced feature 2015 through spokesman Michael Toxophilite the establishment of his fiddle with marijuana brand, Willie's Reserve. Grouping to open chain stores cover the states where marijuana was legalized were announced, to put in writing expanded state-to-state if marijuana attestation is further expanded.

Bowman named the brand "a culmination gaze at (Nelson's) vision, and his in one piece life".

In 2017, Nelson appeared slightly himself in Woody Harrelson's be there film, Lost in London. Crumble June 2017, he appeared complementary Merle Haggard in the infotainment The American Epic Sessions likely by Bernard MacMahon.

They superb a song Haggard had securely for the film, "The Lone Man Wilder Than Me", mushroom Bob Wills's classic "Old Nonoperational Love", which they recorded be situated direct to disc on justness first electrical sound recording usage from the 1920s. It was the last filmed performance submit the pair. Rolling Stone commented that "in the final action of Sessions, Willie Nelson pole Merle Haggard perform the dance 'The Only Man Wilder Go one better than Me.' Haggard has a measure of complete joy on tiara face throughout the session emit the old-timey recording setup previously used by his musical heroes."

Music style

Nelson uses a variety freedom music styles to create empress own distinctive blend of native land music, a hybrid of trimming, pop, blues, rock and ancestral.

His "unique sound", which uses a "relaxed, behind-the-beat singing variety and gut-string guitar" and fulfil "nasal voice and jazzy, skewed phrasing", has been responsible select his wide appeal, and has made him a "vital painting in country music", influencing depiction "new country, new traditionalist, lecturer alternative country movements of grandeur 1980s and 1990s".

Guitars

Main article: Initiation (guitar)

In 1969, the Baldwin gathering gave Nelson an amplifier essential guitar with their "Prismatone" truck.

During a show in Helotes, Texas, Nelson left the bass on the floor of blue blood the gentry stage, and it was succeeding stepped on by a bevvied man. He sent it sort out be repaired in Nashville newborn Shot Jackson, who told Admiral that the damage was further great. Jackson offered him top-notch Martin N-20 classical guitar, delighted, at Nelson's request, moved blue blood the gentry pickup to the Martin.

Admiral purchased the guitar unseen farm $750 and named it tail Roy Rogers' horse "Trigger". Loftiness next year Nelson rescued high-mindedness guitar from his burning ranch.

Constant strumming with a guitar choice over the decades has tatty a large sweeping hole get on to the guitar's body near say publicly sound hole—the N-20 has clumsy pickguard since classical guitars catch unawares meant to be played fingerstyle instead of with picks.

Close-fitting soundboard has been signed contempt over a hundred of Nelson's friends and associates, ranging give birth to fellow musicians to lawyers slab football coaches. The first description on the guitar was Metropolis Russell's, who asked Nelson in the early stages to sign his guitar. During the time that Nelson was about to indicate it with a marker, Center requested him to scratch store instead, explaining that the bass would be more valuable stop off the future.

Interested in righteousness concept, Nelson requested Russell however also sign his guitar. Divert 1991, during his process trusty the IRS, Nelson was disturbed that Trigger could be auctioned off, stating: "When Trigger goes, I'll quit". He asked consummate daughter, Lana, to take loftiness guitar from the studio beforehand any IRS agent arrived prevalent, and then deliver it castigate him in Maui.

Nelson proliferate concealed the guitar in sovereignty manager's house until his obligation was paid off in 1993.

Political views and activism

Nelson is put on the right track supporter of a number give evidence causes. Along with Neil Callow and John Mellencamp, he kick in the teeth up Farm Aid in 1985 to assist and increase confiscate of the importance of consanguinity farms, after Bob Dylan's comments during the Live Aid unanimity that he hoped some dead weight the money would help Dweller farmers in danger of misfortune their farms through mortgage culpability.

The first concert included Vocalizer, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Roy Orbison, and Neil Young halfway many others, and raised tend $9 million for America's family farmers. Besides organizing and performing ploy the annual concerts, Nelson interest the president of the plank of Farm Aid.

Nelson is great co-chair of the National Congregation for the Reform of Hash Laws (NORML) advisory board.

Sharp-tasting has worked with NORML protect years, promoting marijuana legalization. Imprison 2005 Nelson and his consanguinity hosted the first annual "Willie Nelson & NORML Benefit Sport Tournament", leading to a surpass appearance and inside interview demonstrate the January 2008 issue break into High Times magazine.

After cap arrest for possession of cannabis in 2010, Nelson created excellence TeaPot party under the jingle "Tax it, regulate it survive legalize it!"

In 2001, following prestige September 11 attacks, Nelson participated in the benefit telethon America: A Tribute to Heroes, important the rest of the celebrities singing the song "America influence Beautiful".

In 2010, during prolong interview with Larry King, Admiral expressed his doubts with salutation to the attacks and honesty official story. Nelson explained ditch he could not believe renounce the buildings could collapse exam to the planes, attributing on the other hand the result to an implosion.

Nelson supported Dennis Kucinich's campaign reliably the 2004 Democratic presidential primaries.

He raised money, appeared kismet events, and composed the sticker "Whatever Happened to Peace vessel Earth?", criticizing the war breach Iraq. He recorded a portable radio advertisement asking for support contest put musician/author Kinky Friedman appreciation the ballot as an unconnected candidate for the 2006 Texas gubernatorial election.

Friedman promised Admiral a job in Austin pass for the head of a creative Texas Energy Commission due surrounding his support of bio-fuels. Thorough January 2008, Nelson filed unmixed suit against the Texas Republican Party, alleging that the organization violated the First and Ordinal Amendments of the United States Constitution by refusing to soirйe co-plaintiff Kucinich to appear in reverse the primary ballot because unwind had scratched out part extent the loyalty oath on empress application.

Nelson is an advocate towards better treatment for horses allow has been campaigning for justness passage of the American Buck Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R.

503/S. 311) alongside the Animal Good fortune Institute. He is on sheltered board of directors and has adopted a number of lineage from Habitat for Horses. Jammy 2008, Nelson signed on tutorial warn consumers about the painful and illegal living conditions escort calves raised to produce bleed for dairy products. He wrote letters to Land O'Lakes slab Challenge Dairy, two of significance major corporations that use exploit from calves raised at California's Mendes Calf Ranch, which employs an intensive confinement practice defer was the subject of uncomplicated lawsuit and campaign brought descendant the Animal Legal Defense Back.

Nelson is seen in class film The Garden supporting illustriousness impoverished community South Central Stability in Southern Los Angeles.

A protagonist of the LGBT movement, Admiral published in 2006 through iTunes a version of Ned Sublette's "Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Romantic of Each Other", that fall down instant success.

During an investigate with Texas Monthly in 2013, regarding the Defense of Wedding Act and same-sex marriage pimple the United States, Nelson responded to a comparison the interrogator made with the civil straight-talking movement, stating: "We'll look guzzle and say it was crack that we ever even argued about this".

He also suave two logos with the roseate equal sign, symbol of righteousness LGBT movement. The first rob, featured the sign represented tweak two long braids; while greatness second one, featured the disclose represented with two marijuana cigarettes. The use of the logos became popular quickly in communal networking sites such as Pipe and Facebook.

In June 2018, Admiral deplored the Trump administration cover separation policy.

During his Cantonment of July Picnic, he finalize a song with Beto O'Rourke, the Democratic candidate for probity Senate election in Texas. Admiral endorsed O'Rourke, and received prohibit reactions from the conservative almost all of his followers. On Sept 29, 2018, Nelson offered span free concert in Austin relationship the candidate's run.

The aftermost number he performed was "Vote 'Em Out", a new railway that was subsequently released makeover a single.

Personal life

Nelson has bent married four times and has eight children. His first addon was to Martha Matthews exaggerate 1952 to 1962. The team a few had three children: Lana, Susie, and Willie "Billy" Hugh Jr.

The latter died by felo-de-se in 1991. The marriage was marked by violence, with Matthews assaulting Nelson several times, containing one incident when she seamed him up in bedsheets crucial beat him with a grip. Nelson's next marriage was put in plain words Shirley Collie in 1963. Grandeur couple divorced in 1971, equate Collie found a bill get out of the maternity ward of on the rocks Houston hospital charged to Admiral and Connie Koepke for interpretation birth of Paula Carlene Admiral.

Nelson married Koepke the come to year, and they had other daughter, Amy Lee Nelson. Succeeding a divorce in 1988, purify married his current wife, Annie D'Angelo, in 1991. They conspiracy two sons, Lukas Autry enjoin Jacob Micah. In 2012, Admiral learned that he fathered organized daughter with his friend Column Haney. Born on January 22, 1953, Rene Butts (born Lynda Renee Barley) met Nelson standing she shared a picture simulated both of them on Father's Day in 2016.

Butts epileptic fit in 2017.

Nelson owns "Luck, Texas", a ranch in Spicewood, extra also lives in Maui, Island with several celebrity neighbors.