Willie Hugh Nelson almost did not become America’s legendary country singer known simply as Willie. In the early days of his career, no one could have imagined he’d become one of those iconic celebrities whose larger-than-life presence requires nothing more than a first name.
Born in 1933 in Abbot, Texas, Willie’s young parents soon divorced and left him and his sister, Bobbie, in the care of their paternal grandparents. When his grandfather died, eight-year-old Willie, now the man of the house, was quickly hit with the reality of the Great Depression. He realized he and his $8 guitar could better support the family playing in a band at night rather than picking cotton during the day.
FINDING HIS RHYTHM
After high school, persistent back problems cut short Willie’s career in the United States Air Force. “Just as well,” he later said. “I’m not cut out to take orders anyway.” So, in 1960, he took a job as a songwriter for Pamper Music in Nashville earning $50 a week. Sitting in his small office, Willie would ease his pent-up energy by walking around the room and jokingly saying, “Hello walls.” Little did he know then, those two words would inspire a song that would become a top hit.
Likewise, he wrote the song, “Crazy,” in his car in one hour, asking himself if he was crazy to pursue his passion and work three jobs with a wife and three children at home. In 1966, Patsy Cline’s cover version became the most played jukebox song in the United States.
Yet Willie was still frustrated that his own recordings did not fit the Nashville country music mold. Dressed for success — or so he thought — his short haircut, suit, and tie did not seem to harmonize with his singing style. His unusual nasal singing voice and his own style of phrasing was considered non-commercial.
You can join Willie and his musician friends every July 4th for music, food, drinks, and fireworks at his annual picnic. Held in venues throughout Texas, the all-day concert had a rocky start, plagued by security and safety issues but, by the 1980s, the event had won back the trust of potential venues, culminating in 2023 with a 50th anniversary celebration and Willie’s 90th birthday at Austin’s Q2 stadium. Breaking with tradition, the 2024 event will be held in Camden, New Jersey.
AUSTIN WELCOMES WILLIE
When his home in Tennessee burned down and his wife divorced him, Willie took it as a sign and moved to Bandera, Texas where he remarried. He was soon lured to the unconventional hippie music scene of Austin and made it his home. The laid-back city welcomed him and his original style with open arms and he was pleased to be in a place he could finally be himself, leaving his suits behind and letting his hair grow out. The public was quickly drawn to his rebellious style and his career truly took off.
In 1975, after being given complete creative control by his new label, Columbia Records, Willie and Waylon Jennings produced the critically acclaimed album, “Red Headed Stranger.” As he toured, Willie promoted Austin City Limits, a new live music Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) television program. The show is still on the air more than 30 years later and is a big reason Austin is known as The Live Music Capital of the World.
“By age 10, I had no problem bucking my Methodist upbringing to play professionally with a polka band in a beer joint.”
Willie Nelson
But Willie didn’t stop at his own success. Teaming up with Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, and Johnny Cash, he laid the groundwork for the outlaw country movement. The singers’ distinctive style and rebellious attitude shook up the country music scene, racking up platinum records in the process.
THE FLIP SIDE
Today, Willie is a 12-time Grammy award winner, has been nominated into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and was the first country music artist to receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. A person would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t know the words to at least one Willie song.
For all his accolades, Willie has also had his share of predicaments. In 1990, the IRS claimed he owned $32 million and seized most of his assets. Always the showman, Willie released an album entitled “The IRS Tapes; Who’ll Buy my Memories?’ The profits were paid to the IRS and by 1993, his debts were cleared. In addition, his known affection for marijuana always seemed to end with nothing more than an arrest and a fine. A collapsed lung and bouts with pneumonia, due to his two- to three-pack-a-day cigarette habit, and severe carpal tunnel issues from constant guitar playing were handled the “Willie Way”: temporarily stopping until he felt better and then gearing up again.
IN PERFECT HARMONY
Along with his current wife, Willie’s three ex-wives and eight children play a big role in his life as does Luck Ranch, his pride and joy. Located in the Texas Hill Country town of Spicewood, an entire western town was built as a movie set for the film adaption of his award-winning album “The Red Headed Stranger.” Complete with a post office, chapel, and saloon, it became the family’s gathering place. Now in its 12th year, Willie hosts the Luck Reunion Music Festival. It’s the only time his ranch is open to the public and tickets typically sell out in minutes.