Willie Nelson is an iconic American country musician born in 1933, known for his unique blend of musical styles.
His breakthrough album, "Shotgun Willie," released in 1973, marked the beginning of his rise in the outlaw country genre.
In 1985, he co-founded Farm Aid to support American family farmers, raising over $9 million in its first concert.
Biography
Early Life
Willie Hugh Nelson was born on April 29, 1933, in Abbott, Texas, to Ira Doyle Nelson and Myrle Marie Greenhaw. His early life was marked by hardship, as his mother left shortly after his birth, and he was raised by his grandparents, who instilled in him a love for music. Nelson received his first guitar at the age of six and began singing gospel songs in church. By the age of seven, he had written his first song, and by nine, he was performing with a local band. His musical influences included legends like Hank Williams and Django Reinhardt, which shaped his unique style.
Career
Nelson's music career began in earnest in 1956 when he made his first record, "No Place for Me." Despite early struggles, including a brief hiatus from music to sell Bibles and vacuum cleaners, he eventually found his footing in the industry. His breakthrough came with the release of the album "Shotgun Willie" in 1973, followed by the critically acclaimed "Red Headed Stranger" in 1975 and "Stardust" in 1978. These albums solidified his status as a leading figure in the outlaw country movement, blending elements of jazz, blues, and rock into his music. Over the years, Nelson has released numerous albums, including classics like "Stardust" and "Red Headed Stranger," and has collaborated with many artists across genres.
Activism and Legacy
Beyond music, Nelson is known for his activism, particularly in support of family farms and marijuana legalization. He co-founded Farm Aid in 1985, raising millions to support struggling farmers. Nelson has also been a prominent advocate for marijuana reform, even running a campaign for the presidency in 2024 under the slogan "Tax it, regulate it and legalize it!" His contributions to music and society have earned him numerous accolades, including the Grammy Legend Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Today, Willie Nelson remains a beloved icon in American music and culture, celebrated for his distinctive voice, songwriting, and commitment to social causes.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Pretty Paper1979
- 1.White Christmas2:44
- 2.Winter Wonderland2:24
- 3.Rudolph the Red‐Nosed Reindeer2:10
- 4.Jingle Bells2:08
- 5.Here Comes Santa Claus1:52
- 6.Blue Christmas2:36
- 7.Santa Claus Is Coming to Town2:10
- 8.Frosty the Snowman2:23
- 9.Silent Night, Holy Night3:42
- 10.O Little Town of Bethlehem1:27
- 11.Christmas Blues3:12
- 12.Pretty Paper2:22
Sings Kristofferson1979
- 1.Me and Bobby McGee5:14
- 2.Help Me Make It Through the Night3:59
- 3.The Pilgrim: Chapter 333:34
- 4.Why Me3:53
- 5.For the Good Times5:23
- 6.You Show Me Yours3:48
- 7.Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)5:49
- 8.Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down7:00
- 9.Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends2:48
One for the Road1979
- 1.Detour2:24
- 2.I Saw the Light3:04
- 3.Heartbreak Hotel3:00
- 4.Let the Rest of the World Go By3:46
- 5.Trouble in Mind2:40
- 6.Don't Fence Me In2:25
- 7.The Wild Side of Life3:21
- 8.Ridin' Down the Canyon2:20
- 9.Sioux City Sue3:15
- 10.You Are My Sunshine2:49
- 11.Danny Boy3:58
- 12.Always2:16
- 13.Summertime2:27
- 14.Because of You2:04
- 15.Am I Blue2:16
- 16.Tenderly3:58
- 17.Far Away Places3:08
- 18.That Lucky Old Sun2:38
- 19.Stormy Weather2:23
- 20.One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)2:32
Stardust1978
- 1.Stardust3:55
- 2.Georgia on My Mind4:23
- 3.Blue Skies3:38
- 4.All of Me3:59
- 5.Unchained Melody3:51
- 6.September Song4:39
- 7.On the Sunny Side of the Street2:40
- 8.Moonlight in Vermont3:27
- 9.Don’t Get Around Much Anymore2:37
- 10.Someone to Watch Over Me4:02
To Lefty From Willie1977
- 1.Mom and Dad’s Waltz3:00
- 2.Look What Thoughts Will Do2:40
- 3.I Love You a Thousand Ways2:56
- 4.Always Late (with Your Kisses)2:20
- 5.I Want to Be With You Always2:36
- 6.She’s Gone, Gone, Gone2:28
- 7.A Little Unfair3:40
- 8.I Never Go Around Mirrors2:34
- 9.That’s the Way Love Goes3:07
- 10.Railroad Lady2:38
The Sound in Your Mind1976
- 1.That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day)2:20
- 2.If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time2:05
- 3.A Penny for Your Thoughts3:22
- 4.The Healing Hands of Time3:57
- 5.Thanks Again2:14
- 6.I'd Have to Be Crazy3:27
- 7.Amazing Grace5:41
- 8.The Sound in Your Mind4:21
- 9.Medley: Funny How Time Slips Away / Crazy / Night Life8:29
The Troublemaker1976
- 1.Uncloudy Day4:39
- 2.When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder2:43
- 3.Whispering Hope5:35
- 4.There Is a Fountain3:13
- 5.Will the Circle Be Unbroken4:36
- 6.The Troublemaker1:53
- 7.In the Garden4:08
- 8.Where the Soul Never Dies4:14
- 9.Sweet Bye and Bye2:39
- 10.Shall We Gather3:07
- 11.Precious Memories7:37
Red Headed Stranger1975
- 1.Time of the Preacher2:26
- 2.I Couldn’t Believe It Was True1:32
- 3.Time of the Preacher Theme1:13
- 4.Medley: Blue Rock Montana / Red Headed Stranger1:36
- 5.Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain2:21
- 6.Red Headed Stranger4:01
- 7.Time of the Preacher Theme0:27
- 8.Just as I Am1:47
- 9.Denver0:53
- 10.O’er the Waves0:47
- 11.Down Yonder1:56
- 12.Can I Sleep in Your Arms?5:24
- 13.Remember Me2:53
- 14.Hands on the Wheel4:23
- 15.Bandera2:14
Phases and Stages1974
- 1.Phases and Stages (Theme) / Washing the Dishes1:42
- 2.Phases and Stages (Theme) / Walkin'4:06
- 3.Pretend I Never Happened3:01
- 4.Sister's Coming Home / Down at the Corner Beer Joint3:47
- 5.(How Will I Know) I'm Falling in Love Again3:27
- 6.Bloody Mary Morning2:49
- 7.Phases and Stages (Theme) / No Love Around2:24
- 8.I Still Can't Believe You're Gone4:17
- 9.It's Not Supposed to Be That Way3:29
- 10.Heaven and Hell1:54
- 11.Phases and Stages (Theme) / Pick Up the Tempo / Phases and Stages (Theme)3:27
Shotgun Willie1973
- 1.Shotgun Willie2:40
- 2.Whiskey River4:05
- 3.Sad Songs and Waltzes3:08
- 4.Local Memory2:20
- 5.Slow Down Old World2:54
- 6.Stay All Night (Stay a Little Longer)2:36
- 7.Devil in a Sleepin’ Bag2:41
- 8.She’s Not for You3:15
- 9.Bubbles in My Beer2:34
- 10.You Look Like the Devil3:26
- 11.So Much to Do3:11
- 12.A Song for You4:20
The Willie Way1972
- 1.You Left a Long, Long Time Ago2:41
- 2.Wonderful Future2:39
- 3.Help Me Make It Through the Night3:00
- 4.Wake Me When It’s Over3:46
- 5.Undo the Right2:21
- 6.Mountain Dew2:09
- 7.Home Is Where You’re Happy3:03
- 8.A Moment Isn’t Very Long3:07
- 9.What Do You Want Me to Do?2:31
- 10.I’d Rather You Didn’t Love Me2:40
The Words Don’t Fit the Picture1972
- 1.The Words Don’t Fit the Picture2:45
- 2.Good Hearted Woman3:00
- 3.Stay Away From Lonely Places2:54
- 4.Country Willie2:35
- 5.London2:52
- 6.One Step Beyond2:00
- 7.My Kind of Girl2:34
- 8.Will You Remember?3:32
- 9.Rainy Day Blues3:11
- 10.If You Really Loved Me2:11
Willie Nelson and Family1971
Tracklist not collected yet.
Yesterday’s Wine1971
Tracklist not collected yet.
Both Sides Now1970
Tracklist not collected yet.
Laying My Burdens Down1970
Tracklist not collected yet.
My Own Peculiar Way1969
Tracklist not collected yet.
Good Times1968
Tracklist not collected yet.
Texas in My Soul1968
Tracklist not collected yet.
Make Way for Willie Nelson1967
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Party’s Over and Other Great Willie Nelson Songs1967
Tracklist not collected yet.
Country Favorites Willie Nelson Style1966
Tracklist not collected yet.
Country Willie: His Own Songs1965
Tracklist not collected yet.
Here’s Willie Nelson1963
Tracklist not collected yet.
…and Then I Wrote1962
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Blue Note
- Record label
- Atlantic Records
- Record label
- Columbia Records
- Record label
- Island Records
- Record label
- Legacy Recordings
- Record label
- Liberty Records
- Record label
- RCA Records
- Record label
- Universal Music Group Nashville
- Record label
- Challenge Records
- Record label
- Impex Records
Achievements
- Award
- Grammy Legend Award
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance
- Award
- Favorite Country Single
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
- Award
- Country Music Association Award for Entertainer of the Year
- Award
- Favorite Country Male Artist
- Award
- American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album
- Award
- American Music Award for Favorite Country Album
- Award
- American Music Award of Merit
- Award
- Grammy Hall of Fame
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals
- Award
- Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
- Award
- Gershwin Prize
- Award
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Award
- Americana Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Country Song
- Award
- Kennedy Center Honors
Groups
- The Highwaymencurrent
- The Offenderscurrent
- The Record Mencurrent
- Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelsoneponymous, originalcurrent
- Willie Nelson and The Familyeponymous, originalcurrent
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
guitar, steel-string acoustic guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, classical guitar, voice
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Willie Hugh Nelson, Willy Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor, and activist. He was one of the main figures of the outlaw country subgenre that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restrictions of the Nashville sound. The critical success of his album Shotgun Willie (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger (1975) and Stardust (1978), made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music. Nelson has acted in over 30 films, co-authored several books, and has been involved in activism for the use of biofuels and the legalization of marijuana.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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