Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson (/wɪli nɛlsən/; born April 29, 1933) is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist.
Willie Nelson | |
|---|---|
 Nelson performing in 2006 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Willie Hugh Nelson |
| Also known as | Red Headed Stranger |
| Born | April 29, 1933 Abbott, Texas, United States |
| Genres | Country, progressive country, country rock, outlaw country, alternative country, vocal pop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, producer, actor, activist |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1956–present |
| Labels | Liberty, RCA, Atlantic, Columbia, Island, Justice Records, Lost Highway Legacy Recordings |
| Associated acts | Waylon Jennings, The Highwaymen, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson |
| Website | www.willienelson.com |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/branch |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1950–1952 |
In 1961, a song that he wrote was recorded by Faron Young, and became a number one song on Billboard's Hot Country Songs music chart. In 1975, he had his first number one song, as a singer, on Billboard's Hot Country Songs music chart.[1][2]
Early life
Willie Nelson was born in Abbott, Texas on April 29, 1933,[3] during the Great Depression to Myrle Marie (née Greenhaw) and Ira Doyle Nelson.[4] He was born on April 29, 1933, but his birth was recorded by doctor F. D. Sims on April 30.[3] He was named Willie by his cousin Mildred, who also chose Hugh as his middle name, in honor of her recently deceased younger brother.[3] Nelson's ancestry includes English, Irish, and Cherokee.[5] His parents moved from Arkansas in 1929, to look for work. Nelson's grandfather, William, worked as a blacksmith, while his father worked as a mechanic.[6] His mother left soon after he was born,[7] and his father remarried and also moved away, leaving Willie and his sister Bobbie to be raised by their grandparents. The Nelsons, who taught singing back in Arkansas, started their grandchildren in music.[8][9] Nelson's grandfather bought him a guitar when he was six, and taught him a few chords,[6] and with his sister Bobbie, he sang gospel songs in the local church.[10] He wrote his first song at age seven,[11] and when he was nine, played guitar for the local band Bohemian Polka.[12] During the summer, the family picked cotton along with other citizens of Abbott.[13] Nelson didn't like picking cotton, so he earned money by singing in dance halls, taverns, and honky tonks from age thirteen, and continuing through high school.[14] Nelson's musical influences were Hank Williams, Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell, Ray Price, Ernest Tubb, Hank Snow, Django Reinhardt, Frank Sinatra, and Louis Armstrong.[15][16]
Personal life
Nelson is the co-chair of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) advisory board.
Discography
Singles
- Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain (1975)[2]
- "Always on My Mind" (1982)
Writing of songs
- Crazy (song) (1961)
- Christmas Blues
Willie Nelson Media
Nelson performing on a Grand Ole Opry package show in 1965
L–R: Kris Kristofferson, Nelson, and Waylon Jennings at the 1972 Dripping Springs Reunion
Nelson and guests with President Jimmy Carter in 1978
President Bill Clinton greets Willie Nelson
Nelson performing in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 2018
In 2008, Nelson reopened the truck stop Willie's Place near Hillsboro, Texas
Nelson's guitar, Trigger, has been signed by several of Nelson's friends
Nelson, and his guitar "Trigger", performing in 2012
Willie Nelson boulevard in Austin, Texas
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Sources
- ↑ Wolff, Kurt; Duane, Orla (2000). Country Music: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides. ISBN 978-1-85828-534-4.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. pp. 294–296. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Patoski, Joe Nick 2008, p. 13.
- ↑ Scobey, Lola 1982, p. 58.
- ↑ Nelson, Willie; Bud Shrake; Edwin Shrake 2000, p. 49, 94.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Nelson, Willie (2007). On the Clean Road Again: Biodiesel and the Future of the Family Farm. Fulcrum Publishing. p. 29. ISBN 978-1-55591-624-4. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
- ↑ Laufenberg, Norbert B. (2005). Entertainment Celebrities. Trafford Publishing. p. 473. ISBN 978-1-4120-5335-8. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
- ↑ Patoski, Joe Nick 2008, p. 6.
- ↑ Reid; Jan p.218
- ↑ Malone, Bill C. (2002). Country music, U.S.A. University of Texas Press. p. 303. ISBN 978-0-292-75262-7. Retrieved 22 June 2011.[dead link]
- ↑ Patoski, Joe Nick (May 2008). The Gospel According to Willie: The Resurrection of the Abbott Methodist Church. http://www.texascooppower.com/texas-stories/life-arts/the-gospel-according-to-willie. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ↑ Kienzle, Richard 2003, p. 236.
- ↑ Richmond, Clint 2000, p. 7, 8, 23.
- ↑ Scobey, Lola 1982, p. 47.
- ↑ Richmond, Clint 2000, p. 17.
- ↑ Hann, Michael (May 17, 2012). "Willie Nelson: 'If We Made Marijuana Legal, We'd Save a Whole Lotta Money and Lives'". The Guardian (Guardian News and Media Ltd.). http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/may/17/30-minutes-with-willie-nelson. Retrieved January 9, 2014.