Willie Nelson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Willie Nelson
Nelson in 2007
Born	Willie Hugh Nelson (1933-04-29) April 29, 1933 (age 92) Abbott, Texas, U.S.
Occupation	Singer musician songwriter actor activist
Years active	1956–present
Spouse(s)	Martha Matthews ​ ​ (m. 1952; div. 1962)​ Shirley Collie ​ ​ (m. 1963; div. 1971)​ Connie Koepke ​ ​ (m. 1971; div. 1988)​ Annie D'Angelo ​ (m. 1991)​
Children	8, including Paula and Lukas
Relatives	Bobbie Nelson (sister)
Musical career
Genres	Country blues jazz gospel
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Labels	Liberty RCA Victor Atlantic Columbia Island Justice Records Lost Highway Legacy Recordings
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Battles/wars	Korean War

Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He became famous as a key figure in outlaw country music. This style started in the late 1960s. It was a new sound that went against the traditional rules of Nashville sound country music.

Willie Nelson became one of the most recognized country music artists. This happened after his successful albums like Shotgun Willie (1973), Red Headed Stranger (1975), and Stardust (1978). Besides music, Nelson has acted in many films. He has also written several books. He is known for supporting biofuels and other important causes.

Nelson wrote his first song when he was seven years old. He joined his first band at age ten. In high school, he toured locally with a band called Bohemian Polka. He was their lead singer and guitar player. After high school in 1950, he joined the U.S. Air Force. He was later discharged because of back problems.

After returning home, Nelson went to Baylor University for two years. But he left to focus on his music career. He worked as a disc jockey at radio stations in Texas and the Pacific Northwest. All this time, he kept singing and writing songs. During the late 1950s, he wrote famous country songs. These include "Funny How Time Slips Away", "Hello Walls", "Pretty Paper", and "Crazy".

In 1960, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He signed a deal with Pamper Music. This allowed him to join Ray Price's band as a bassist. In 1962, he released his first album, ...And Then I Wrote. Because of his growing success, Nelson signed with RCA Victor in 1964. He joined the Grand Ole Opry the next year.

After some moderate hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Nelson felt tired of the Nashville music scene. In 1972, he moved to Austin, Texas. Austin's lively music scene inspired Nelson to perform again. He often played at the Armadillo World Headquarters.

In 1973, Nelson signed with Atlantic Records. He then explored the outlaw country style. He released albums like Shotgun Willie and Phases and Stages. In 1975, he moved to Columbia Records. There, he recorded the popular album Red Headed Stranger. That same year, he recorded another outlaw country album, Wanted! The Outlaws. He made this album with Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, and Tompall Glaser.

In the mid-1980s, Nelson created hit albums like Honeysuckle Rose. He also recorded hit songs such as "On the Road Again", "To All the Girls I've Loved Before", and "Pancho and Lefty". He also joined the country supergroup The Highwaymen. This group included Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson. In 1985, he helped start the first Farm Aid concert. This event helps American farmers. The concerts have happened every year since then, and Nelson has been a part of every one.

In 1990, Nelson faced serious money problems. His assets were taken by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). They said he owed a large amount of money. This was made worse by some bad investments he had made. In 1992, Nelson released The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?. The money from this album, along with an auction of his belongings, helped him pay off his debt. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Nelson continued to tour a lot and release new albums every year. He explored different music styles like reggae, blues, jazz, and folk.

Nelson first appeared in a movie in 1979, called The Electric Horseman. He later appeared in many other movies and TV shows. He also owns a biodiesel brand called Willie Nelson Biodiesel. This product is made from vegetable oil. Nelson is also the honorary chairman of the Texas Music Project, which is the official music charity of Texas.

Early Life and Education

Willie Nelson was born in Abbott, Texas, on April 29, 1933. His parents were Ira Doyle Nelson and Myrle Marie Greenhaw. His birthday was actually recorded incorrectly as April 30. His cousin Mildred named him Willie and chose Hugh as his middle name. This was to honor her younger brother who had recently passed away. Nelson's family history goes back to the American Revolutionary War. His ancestor, John Nelson, served as a major in that war.

Nelson as a junior at Abbott High School in 1949

Nelson's high school football portrait, around 1950

His parents moved to Texas from Arkansas in 1929 to find work. His grandfather, William, was a blacksmith. His father worked as a mechanic. Nelson's mother left soon after he was born. His father remarried and also moved away. So, Nelson and his sister Bobbie were raised by their grandparents. Their grandparents had taught singing in Arkansas and introduced their grandchildren to music.

Nelson's grandfather bought him a guitar when he was six. He taught him some chords. Nelson sang gospel songs in the local church with Bobbie. He wrote his first song at age seven. When he was nine, he played guitar for a local band called Bohemian Polka. During the summer, his family picked cotton with other people in Abbott. Nelson did not like picking cotton. So, he earned money by singing in dance halls, taverns, and honky tonks from age 13. He continued this through high school. His musical inspirations included Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, and Bob Wills.

Nelson went to Abbott High School. He played football, basketball, and baseball. He also raised pigs with the Future Farmers of America. While still in school, he sang and played guitar in The Texans. This band was formed by his sister's husband, Bud Fletcher. The band played in honky-tonks. They also had a Sunday morning spot on a radio station in Hillsboro, Texas.

Nelson had a few different jobs before his music career took off. He worked as a phone operator, a tree trimmer, and in a pawn shop. After leaving school in 1950, he joined the U.S. Air Force. He served for eight months before being medically discharged due to back problems. When he returned, he married Martha Matthews in 1952. From 1954 to 1956, he studied agriculture at Baylor University. He left college to focus on music. He also worked as a nightclub bouncer and a saddle maker. Later, he joined Johnny Bush's band.

Nelson moved with his family to Pleasanton, Texas. There, he tried out for a DJ job at a radio station. The station owner gave him the job, even though he had no radio experience. Using the station's equipment, Nelson made his first two recordings in 1955. These were "The Storm Has Just Begun" and "When I've Sung My Last Hillbilly Song". He sent these recordings to a local label, but they were rejected. He then worked at several other radio stations. He also hosted a show called The Western Express. He taught Sunday school and played in nightclubs. He later moved to Portland, Oregon, where his mother lived.

Music Career Highlights

Early Career and Songwriting (1956–1971)

Nelson was hired by a radio station in Vancouver, Washington. He often appeared on a television show. He made his first record in 1956, called "No Place for Me". This recording was not successful. Nelson continued to work as a radio announcer and sing in clubs.

He performed in a Colorado nightclub and later moved to Springfield, Missouri. After not getting a spot on a TV show called Ozark Jubilee, he worked as a dishwasher. Unhappy with this job, he moved back to Texas. After a short time in Waco, he settled in Fort Worth. He stopped making music for a year. He sold bibles and vacuum cleaners door-to-door. He eventually became a sales manager for an encyclopedia company.

After his son Billy was born in 1958, his family moved to Houston, Texas. On the way, Nelson stopped at the Esquire Ballroom. He wanted to sell his songs to the house band singer. The singer did not buy his song "Mr. Record Man". Instead, he gave Nelson a loan and a job singing in the club. Nelson rented an apartment near Houston. He also worked as a disc jockey at a radio station there. During this time, he recorded two singles: "Man With the Blues" and "What a Way to Live".

Nelson was then hired by guitar teacher Paul Buskirk to work at his school. He sold the song "Family Bible" to Buskirk for $50. He also sold "Night Life" for $150. "Family Bible" became a hit song for Claude Gray in 1960.

In 1960, Nelson moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He struggled to find a record label to sign him. He often spent time at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, a bar near the Grand Ole Opry. Many famous singers and songwriters visited this bar. There, Nelson met Hank Cochran, a songwriter for Pamper Music. Cochran heard Nelson sing and helped him get a contract with Pamper Music.

Faron Young decided to record Nelson's song "Hello Walls" after hearing him sing it. After Ray Price recorded Nelson's "Night Life," Nelson joined Price's touring band as a bass player. While playing with Price, Nelson's songs became hits for other artists. These included "Funny How Time Slips Away" by Billy Walker, "Pretty Paper" by Roy Orbison, and "Crazy" by Patsy Cline. "Crazy" became one of the biggest jukebox hits ever.

Nelson performing on a Grand Ole Opry package show in 1965

Nelson signed with Liberty Records in 1961. His first two successful singles as an artist were "Willingly" (a duet with his future wife, Shirley Collie) and "Touch Me". These songs reached the top ten on the charts. Nelson's first album, ...And Then I Wrote, was released in 1962. In 1963, Collie and Nelson got married.

By late 1964, Nelson had moved to RCA Victor. He signed a contract for $10,000 per year. His first RCA Victor album, Country Willie – His Own Songs, was recorded in 1965. That same year, he joined the Grand Ole Opry. He also became friends with Waylon Jennings. In 1967, he formed his backing band, "The Record Men". This band included Johnny Bush and Paul English. Nelson did not have many big hits during his first few years with RCA Victor. However, his singles consistently reached the Top 25 from 1966 to 1969.

By 1970, most of Nelson's songwriting money was spent on tours that did not make much profit. Nelson also divorced Shirley Collie in 1970. In December, his ranch in Tennessee burned down. He saw this as a sign that he needed a change. He moved to a ranch in Bandera, Texas, and married Connie Koepke. In early 1971, his single "I'm a Memory" reached the top 30. After recording his last RCA single in 1972, RCA asked him to renew his contract early. Nelson was unhappy with how his albums were doing, especially Yesterday's Wine. Even though his contract was not over, he decided to take a break from music.

Outlaw Country Success (1972–1989)

Nelson moved to Austin, Texas. The growing music scene there, especially at places like Armadillo World Headquarters, gave him new energy. His unique country music, which mixed country, folk, and jazz, became very popular in Austin. In March, he performed at the Dripping Springs Reunion, a country music festival. This festival inspired Nelson to create his own annual event, the Fourth of July Picnic, which started the next year.

Nelson decided to return to recording. He hired Neil Reshen as his manager. Reshen helped him end his contract with RCA. Reshen then signed Nelson to Atlantic Records for $25,000 per year. Nelson became Atlantic's first country artist. He formed his backing band, The Family. By February 1973, he was recording his album Shotgun Willie in New York City.

Shotgun Willie, released in May 1973, received great reviews but did not sell many copies. This album helped Nelson find a new musical style. His next album, Phases and Stages, released in 1974, was a concept album about a couple's divorce. It was inspired by his own experiences. One side of the record tells the story from the woman's point of view, and the other side from the man's. The album included the hit song "Bloody Mary Morning". That same year, he produced and starred in the first episode of PBS' Austin City Limits.

Nelson then moved to Columbia Records. He signed a contract that gave him full creative control over his music. This was possible because of the success of his previous albums. The result was the popular 1975 concept album Red Headed Stranger. Columbia was unsure about releasing an album with mostly just guitar and piano. But Nelson and Waylon Jennings insisted. The album included a cover of "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain". This song became Nelson's first number one hit as a singer. Throughout his 1975 tour, Nelson raised money for PBS stations to promote Austin City Limits. The show was very well received, leading PBS to order more episodes.

L-R: Kris Kristofferson, Nelson, and Waylon Jennings at the 1972 Dripping Springs Reunion

As Jennings was also becoming very successful, their music style was called outlaw country. This was because it did not follow the usual Nashville rules. The album Wanted! The Outlaws in 1976, with Jessi Colter and Tompall Glaser, made their outlaw image even stronger. It became the first country music album to sell a million copies (platinum). Later that year, Nelson released The Sound in Your Mind and his first gospel album Troublemaker.

In 1978, Nelson released two more platinum albums. One was Waylon & Willie, a collaboration with Jennings. It included the hit song "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys". Many people thought his album Stardust would hurt his career. But it also went platinum that same year. Nelson continued to have hit songs in the late 1970s, like "Good Hearted Woman" and "If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time".

During the 1980s, Nelson recorded many hit singles. These included "Midnight Rider" (a cover of an Allman Brothers song) and "On the Road Again" from the movie Honeysuckle Rose. He also had a popular duet with Julio Iglesias called "To All the Girls I've Loved Before".

Nelson and guests with President Jimmy Carter in 1978

In 1982, Pancho & Lefty, a duet album with Merle Haggard, was released. During the recording, Nelson heard the song "Always on My Mind" and decided to record it. The single became a huge hit, topping the country charts and reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100. It won three awards at the 25th Annual Grammy Awards. The album was certified quadruple-platinum and later added to the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Nelson also released two more albums with Waylon Jennings: WWII in 1982 and Take it to the Limit in 1983. In the mid-1980s, Nelson, Jennings, Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash formed The Highwaymen. This supergroup sold many records and toured worldwide. Nelson also became more involved in charity work, like singing on We are the World in 1984. In 1985, he had another success with Half Nelson, an album of duets with artists like Ray Charles and Neil Young. In 1980, Nelson performed at the White House.

Later Career (1990s–2000s)

In 1996, Nelson re-recorded some of his songs for Twisted Willie. This was a tribute album featuring rock versions of his songs. Artists like Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson performed on it. Money from the album sales went to Nelson's Farm Aid.

Nelson with President Bill Clinton in 1993

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Nelson toured constantly. He released several albums, including the praised Teatro in 1998. He also performed and recorded with other artists like Phish and Toby Keith. His duet with Keith, "Beer for My Horses", was a number one hit in 2003. The music video won an award in 2004. A TV special celebrated Nelson's 70th birthday. Nelson also released The Essential Willie Nelson as part of the celebration.

In 2004, Nelson was featured on the album True Love by Toots and the Maytals. This album won a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. In 2005, Nelson released a reggae album called Countryman. He also headlined the Tsunami Relief Austin to Asia concert. This event raised money for victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. In 2008, Nelson's live album with jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, Two Men with the Blues, reached number one on Billboard's Top Jazz Albums.

2010s and Beyond

In 2010, Nelson released Country Music, an album of classic songs. It reached number four on Billboard's Top Country Albums. In 2011, Nelson helped raise money for victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

In 2012, Legacy Recordings signed a deal with Nelson. This deal included releasing new music and old recordings. Buddy Cannon became Nelson's producer again. They worked together to choose songs and sounds. Cannon would record the music with studio musicians. Then, Nelson would add his guitar parts later. Nelson and Cannon also wrote songs together by exchanging text messages.

Nelson's first album with Legacy Recordings was Heroes. It featured guest artists like his sons Lukas and Micah, Ray Price, and Merle Haggard. The album reached number four on Billboard's Top Country Albums. His 2013 album, To All the Girls..., was a collection of duets with female singers. These included Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Carrie Underwood. This album reached number two on Billboard's Top Country Albums. It was his highest position on that chart since 1989.

Nelson performing in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 2018

His next album, Band of Brothers, came out in 2014. It was the first Nelson album with mostly new songs he wrote since 1996. It topped Billboard's Top Country albums chart. This was the first time since 1986. In 2015, his collaboration with Haggard, Django and Jimmie, also topped the country charts.

In 2017, Nelson released God's Problem Child. This album, mostly new songs written with Buddy Cannon, reached number one on the Top Country albums chart. In 2018, Nelson sang a song for the video game Red Dead Redemption 2. He also performed "Border Song" on Restoration, a cover album of Elton John songs. His 2019 album, Ride Me Back Home, charted at number two. Nelson won a Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance for the title song.

In 2020, Nelson started livestreaming concerts during the coronavirus pandemic. The first two raised $700,000 for people affected by the economy. He also collaborated with Karen O of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs on a cover of David Bowie and Queen's "Under Pressure".

For his albums The Willie Nelson Family (2021) and A Beautiful Time (2022), Nelson received four Grammy nominations. He won two awards: Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Album. In 2023, a five-part documentary about him was released. Nelson performed at two concerts celebrating his 90th birthday at the Hollywood Bowl. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2024, Nelson was featured on Beyoncé's album Cowboy Carter. With the death of Kris Kristofferson in September 2024, Nelson became the last living member of The Highwaymen.

Other Ventures

Nelson's first acting role was in the 1979 film The Electric Horseman. He then appeared in movies like Honeysuckle Rose and Thief. He played Red Loon in Coming Out of the Ice in 1982 and starred in Songwriter two years later. He also played the main character in the 1986 film version of his album Red Headed Stranger. Other movies Nelson acted in include Wag the Dog, Gone Fishin', and The Dukes of Hazzard. He has also made guest appearances on TV shows like Miami Vice and The Simpsons.

In 2008, Nelson reopened the truck stop Willie's Place near Hillsboro, Texas

In 1988, his first book, Willie: An Autobiography, was published. The Facts of Life: And Other Dirty Jokes, a collection of tour stories and song lyrics, followed in 2002. In 2005, he co-authored Farm Aid: A Song for America. This book celebrated the twentieth anniversary of Farm Aid. His third book, The Tao of Willie: A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart, was published in 2006. In 2007, a book promoting biodiesel and reducing gas emissions, On The Clean Road Again, was published. His first fiction book, A Tale Out of Luck, was published in 2008. In 2012, a new autobiography, Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings from the Road, was released. Its artwork was designed by his son, Micah. In 2015, a second autobiography, It's a Long Story: My Life, was published.

In 2002, Nelson became the official spokesperson for Texas Roadhouse, a chain of steakhouses. He promoted the chain heavily. Many locations have a "Willie's Corner" section with his memorabilia. In 2004, Nelson and his wife Annie partnered to build two biodiesel plants. In 2005, Nelson and other partners formed Willie Nelson Biodiesel ("Bio-Willie"). This company sold biodiesel fuel to truck stops. The fuel was made from vegetable oil.

In 2008, he reopened Willie's Place, a truck stop in Carl's Corner, Texas. It had about 80 employees and was used as a concert hall with a bar and a dance floor. Willie's Place also had BioWillie fuel pumps. The BioWillie plant was later put up for sale. Nelson kept the trademark for BioWillie, which is now sold in Hawaii.

In 2010, Nelson co-founded Luck Films, a company that produces films, documentaries, and concerts. The next year, he created the Willie's Roadhouse show on SiriusXM radio. In 2014, it was announced that Nelson would host a TV series called Inside Arlyn. This show would feature artists being interviewed by Nelson and Dan Rather, followed by a performance.

In 2017, Nelson appeared as himself in Woody Harrelson's live film, Lost in London. In June 2017, he appeared with Merle Haggard in the documentary The American Epic Sessions. They performed two songs, recording them live on an old electrical sound recording system from the 1920s. This was the last filmed performance of the two together.

Music Style and Guitars

Willie Nelson uses many music styles to create his unique country music sound. It's a mix of jazz, pop, blues, rock, and folk. His "unique sound" includes a relaxed, "behind-the-beat" singing style and a special gut-string guitar. His voice and jazzy way of singing have made him very popular. He has influenced many country music styles that came after him.

Trigger, His Famous Guitar

Nelson's guitar, Trigger, has been signed by several of Nelson's friends

In 1969, a company gave Nelson an amplifier and a guitar. The guitar was damaged and needed repair. He sent it to be fixed in Nashville. The repair person, Shot Jackson, said the damage was too bad. Jackson offered him a Martin N-20 Classical guitar. Nelson asked him to move the special pickup from his old guitar to the Martin. Nelson bought the guitar without seeing it for $750. He named it "Trigger" after Roy Rogers' horse. The next year, Nelson saved the guitar from his burning ranch.

Over the years, Nelson has strummed his guitar with a pick so much that it has worn a large hole in the body near the sound hole. Classical guitars like the N-20 usually do not have a pick-guard because they are meant to be played with fingers, not picks. More than a hundred of Nelson's friends and famous people have signed the guitar's soundboard. The first signature was Leon Russell's. Russell asked Nelson to scratch his signature into the guitar, saying it would make it more valuable. Nelson liked the idea and asked Russell to sign his guitar the same way. In 1991, when Nelson had money problems, he was worried Trigger might be sold. He said, "When Trigger goes, I'll quit." He had his daughter take the guitar to him in Maui to keep it safe. Nelson kept the guitar hidden until his debt was paid off in 1993.

Activism and Causes

Nelson is a strong supporter of many causes. Along with Neil Young and John Mellencamp, he started Farm Aid in 1985. This organization helps American family farmers and raises awareness about their importance. This idea came after Bob Dylan suggested that some money from the Live Aid concert should help farmers. The first Farm Aid concert included many famous artists and raised over $9 million. Besides organizing and performing, Nelson is the president of the Farm Aid board.

Nelson is also a supporter of better treatment for horses. He has campaigned for the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. He is on the board of directors for the Animal Welfare Institute. He has adopted several horses from Habitat for Horses. In 2008, Nelson warned consumers about cruel living conditions for calves raised for dairy products. He wrote letters to major dairy companies. Nelson also appeared in the film The Garden, supporting an impoverished community in Los Angeles.

Nelson supports the LGBT movement. In 2006, he released a version of "Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other" on iTunes. It became very popular. In a 2013 interview, Nelson compared the debate over same-sex marriage in the United States to the Civil Rights Movement. He said, "We'll look back and say it was crazy that we ever even argued about this." He also used logos with the pink equal sign, a symbol of the LGBT movement. These logos quickly became popular on social media.

In June 2018, Nelson spoke out against the Trump administration family separation policy. During his Fourth of July Picnic, he performed a song with Beto O'Rourke, a political candidate. Nelson supported O'Rourke, which led to some negative reactions from some of his fans. In September 2018, Nelson gave a free concert in Austin to support O'Rourke. He performed a new song called "Vote 'Em Out".

Personal Life

Willie Nelson has been married four times and has eight children. His first marriage was to Martha Matthews from 1952 to 1962. His next marriage was to Shirley Collie in 1963. They divorced in 1971. Nelson married Connie Koepke the same year, and they had two daughters. After divorcing in 1988, he married his current wife, Annie D'Angelo, in 1991. They have two sons. In 2012, Nelson learned he had another daughter, Rene Butts, born in 1953.

Nelson owns a ranch in Spicewood, called "Luck, Texas." He also lives in Maui, Hawaii. In 1981, Nelson had a collapsed lung while swimming in Hawaii. He stopped smoking cigarettes for a while. He later quit tobacco completely. In 2004, Nelson had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome because he had damaged his wrists from playing guitar so much. He canceled concerts and focused on writing songs while he recovered. In 2012, he had breathing problems due to high altitude and emphysema. He was taken to a hospital but quickly recovered. After repeated lung issues, Nelson had stem-cell therapy in 2015 to help his lungs.

As a child, Nelson was interested in martial arts. He ordered self-defense manuals from comic books. He started formally practicing kung fu in the 1960s. In the 1980s, Nelson began training in taekwondo and now holds a second-degree black belt. In the 1990s, he started practicing the Korean martial art GongKwon Yusul. In 2014, after 20 years, he received a fifth-degree black belt. Nelson would train on his tour bus and send videos to his master for review.

In March 2021, Nelson recorded a version of "I'll Be Seeing You" for a public service announcement encouraging COVID-19 vaccination in the United States. Earlier, in January 2021, Nelson and his sister received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. In May 2022, Nelson postponed shows after getting COVID-19. His wife said he was very sick but received treatment and recovered. He resumed his tour in September 2022. In June 2024, Nelson had to cancel some performances due to health issues and was told to rest.

Money Issues with the IRS

In 1990, the IRS took most of Nelson's belongings. They said he owed a large amount of money in unpaid taxes. His situation was made worse by some bad investments he had made. His lawyer negotiated the amount down. Nelson later released The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?, a double album. All the money from this album went to the IRS. Many of his belongings were sold at auction. Friends bought them and then let Nelson use them for a small fee. He also sued the accounting firm that advised him, saying they put his money in bad investments. The lawsuit was settled, and Nelson paid off his debts by 1993.

Legacy and Recognition

Willie Nelson Boulevard in Austin, Texas

Willie Nelson is seen as an American icon. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993. He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1998. In 2011, Nelson was inducted into the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame for his work with Farm Aid. In 2015, he won the Gershwin Prize, a lifetime award from the Library of Congress. In 2018, he was inducted into The Texas Institute of Letters for his songwriting. Rolling Stone magazine included him on its lists of "100 Greatest Singers" and "100 Greatest Guitarists."

In 2003, the Texas Governor signed a bill that funded the Texas Music Project, the state's official music charity. Nelson was named honorary chairman of its advisory board. In 2005, a Texas Senator proposed naming a section of State Highway 130 after Nelson.

An important collection of Willie Nelson's materials from 1975 to 1994 is kept at the Wittliff collections at Texas State University. This collection includes lyrics, screenplays, letters, concert programs, and personal items. It shows details about his IRS problems and how Farm Aid contributions were used. In 2014, Nelson donated his personal collection to the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History. This collection includes photos, letters, song manuscripts, and awards.

In April 2010, Nelson received the "Feed the Peace" award for his work with Farm Aid and his contributions to world peace. In June 2010, he was added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry. Nelson is also an honorary trustee of the Dayton International Peace Museum.

In 2010, Austin, Texas, renamed Second Street to Willie Nelson Boulevard. The city also unveiled a life-size statue to honor him. It is placed at the entrance of Austin City Limits' new studio. The statue was revealed on April 20, 2012. During the ceremony, Nelson performed his song "Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die". That same year, Nelson was honored at the 46th Annual Country Music Association Awards. He was the first person to receive the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, which was named after him. In 2013, he received an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music. The next year, he was part of the first group inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame.

For many years, Nelson was known for his long red hair, often in two braids under a bandanna. He started braiding his hair in the 1970s. On May 26, 2010, it was reported that Nelson had cut his hair. He wanted a hairstyle that was easier to manage and helped him stay cool in Hawaii. In October 2014, Nelson's braids were sold for $37,000 at an auction of Waylon Jennings' belongings. Nelson had given the braids to Jennings as a gift in 1983, celebrating Jennings' sobriety.

Nelson's touring and recording group, The Family, has many long-time members. The original lineup included his sister Bobbie Nelson, drummer Paul English, and harmonicist Mickey Raphael. The current lineup includes most of the original members, except for Jody Payne, who retired, Bee Spears, who passed away in 2011, and Willie's sister Bobbie Nelson, who died in 2022. Willie & Family tours North America in their bio-diesel bus, Honeysuckle Rose. Nelson's tour buses have been custom-made since 1979. The first Honeysuckle Rose I was built in 1983. It was replaced in 1990 after a collision. Nelson has changed his tour bus several times, currently using the Honeysuckle Rose V.

Discography

Solo studio albums

Filmography

Images for kids

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  Nelson, and his guitar "Trigger", performing in 2012

See also

In Spanish: Willie Nelson para niños

• List of Country Music Hall of Fame inductees
• List of country music performers
• Music of Austin, Texas