Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson

Biography: Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 30, 1933) is an American country singer-songwriter, author, poet, actor, and activist. Nelson was one of the main figures of the Outlaw Movement, a subgenre of Country music that developed between the end of 1960s and early 1980s. The critical success of the albums Shotgun Willie, Phases and Stages, and the commercial success of Red Headed Stranger made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music. Nelson is also recognized for his contributions to charity, he is the president and one of the founding members of Farm Aid charity concert, and his activism for the legalization of marijuana and for the use of bio-fuels. Nelson started studying music from mail order material that his grandparents gave him. He wrote his first song at age seven and joined his first band at nine. During high school, he toured locally with the Bohemian Fiddlers as their lead singer and guitar player. After graduating from high school in 1950, he joined the Air Force. However, he was discharged due to back problems. After his return, Nelson attended Baylor University for two years but dropped out because he was succeeding in music. During this time, he worked as a disc jockey in Texas radio stations and a singer in honky tonks. Nelson moved to Vancouver, Washington, where he wrote "Family Bible" and recorded the song "Lumberjack" in 1956. In 1960, he signed a publishing contract with Pamper Music which allowed him to join Ray Price's band as a bassist. During that time, he wrote songs that would become country standards, including "Funny How Time Slips Away", "Hello Walls", "Pretty Paper", and "Crazy". In 1962, he recorded his first album, And Then I Wrote. Due to this success, Nelson signed in 1965 with RCA Victor and joined the Grand Ole Opry. Nelson is a major liberal activist and the co-chair of the advisory board of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, which is in favor of marijuana legalization. On the environmental front, Nelson owns the bio-diesel brand Willie Nelson Biodiesel, which is made from vegetable oil. He is the co-founder and president of Farm Aid, and has been contributing to the benefit concert series since the first event in 1985, organizing concerts and performing with other prominent artists. Nelson is also the Honorary Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Texas Music Project, the official music charity of the state of Texas. Description above from the Wikipedia article Willie Nelson, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

Place of Birth: Not available

Birthday: April 30, 1933

Deathday: N/A

Popularity:

8.264

Known For

Wag the Dog
Wag the Dog

1997-12-25

The Electric Horseman
The Electric Horseman

1979-12-21

Thief
Thief

1981-03-27

The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard

2005-08-05

Honeysuckle Rose
Honeysuckle Rose

1980-07-18

Heartbreakers at the BBC
Heartbreakers at the BBC

2023-02-11

Barbarosa
Barbarosa

1982-02-19

Gone Fishin'
Gone Fishin'

1997-05-30

Stagecoach
Stagecoach

1986-05-18

Beerfest
Beerfest

2006-08-25

Surfer, Dude
Surfer, Dude

2008-09-05

Farm Aid: 20th Anniversary Concert
Farm Aid: 20th Anniversary Concert

2005-11-25

Be Here to Love Me
Be Here to Love Me

2004-09-13

A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!

2008-11-23

The Beach Boys: Nashville Sounds
The Beach Boys: Nashville Sounds

1996-11-23

Hempsters: Plant the Seed
Hempsters: Plant the Seed

2008-05-25

Willie Nelson 90: Long Story Short
Willie Nelson 90: Long Story Short

2023-06-11

Songwriter
Songwriter

1984-10-14

Hells Angels Forever
Hells Angels Forever

1983-10-09

Outlaw Justice
Outlaw Justice

1999-01-24

The Highwaymen: On the Road Again
The Highwaymen: On the Road Again

2003-07-15

John Mellencamp: It's About You
John Mellencamp: It's About You

2012-01-04

Once Upon a Texas Train
Once Upon a Texas Train

1988-10-12

Angels Sing
Angels Sing

2013-10-19

Joke Man
Joke Man

2023-07-17

A Tribute To Johnny Cash
A Tribute To Johnny Cash

1999-06-04

The Highwaymen: Live at Nassau Coliseum
The Highwaymen: Live at Nassau Coliseum

1990-03-28

Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?
Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?

1988-11-13

Kris Kristofferson: His Life and Work
Kris Kristofferson: His Life and Work

1993-12-31

Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Play the Music of Ray Charles
Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Play the Music of Ray Charles

2009-10-20

Happiness Is
Happiness Is

2009-07-30

The Story of Darrell Royal
The Story of Darrell Royal

1999-01-01

Coming Out of the Ice
Coming Out of the Ice

1982-12-31

Willie Nelson: Live in Amsterdam
Willie Nelson: Live in Amsterdam

2001-07-03

Kinky Friedman: Proud To Be An Asshole From El Paso
Kinky Friedman: Proud To Be An Asshole From El Paso

2001-01-02

9/11 Truth: Hollywood Speaks Up
9/11 Truth: Hollywood Speaks Up

2011-06-10

Another Pair of Aces: Three of a Kind
Another Pair of Aces: Three of a Kind

1991-01-01

Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'
Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'

2003-05-26

Wild Texas Wind
Wild Texas Wind

1991-09-23

Red Headed Stranger
Red Headed Stranger

1986-10-31

Road to Austin
Road to Austin

2016-05-27

Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration
Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration

1993-03-02

The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story
The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story

2010-06-15

Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon
Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon

2013-09-07

Starlight
Starlight

1996-06-18

The King of Luck
The King of Luck

2011-03-19

Glen Campbell | Good Times Again
Glen Campbell | Good Times Again

2007-01-01

All About Ann: Governor Richards of the Lone Star State
All About Ann: Governor Richards of the Lone Star State

2014-04-28

Celebrating the Man in Black: The Making of Walk the Line
Celebrating the Man in Black: The Making of Walk the Line

2006-05-22

Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration

1988-05-27

June
June

2023-11-12

Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz
Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz

1988-08-16

Waylon: Renegade. Outlaw. Legend.
Waylon: Renegade. Outlaw. Legend.

1990-01-01

Dolly Parton & Friends: Love Always Live
Dolly Parton & Friends: Love Always Live

2009-03-13

Beer for My Horses
Beer for My Horses

2008-08-08

The Greatest Night in Pop
The Greatest Night in Pop

2024-01-19

Walking After Midnight
Walking After Midnight

1988-01-01

Pair of Aces
Pair of Aces

1990-01-14

Blonde Ambition
Blonde Ambition

2007-12-21

Heartbeat
Heartbeat

1987-05-10

Tootsie's Orchid Lounge: Where the Music Began
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge: Where the Music Began

2005-07-26

Swing Vote
Swing Vote

2008-08-01

Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas
Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas

2022-12-01

2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

2022-11-19

Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story
Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story

1995-01-22

Johnny Cash: American Rebel
Johnny Cash: American Rebel

2015-09-12

I Ride
I Ride

2011-05-12

Fighting With Anger
Fighting With Anger

2007-01-01

Willie Nelson Live at the US Festival
Willie Nelson Live at the US Festival

1983-06-04

Willie Nelson - Live at Billy Bob's Texas
Willie Nelson - Live at Billy Bob's Texas

2004-01-01

Honky Tonk Heaven: Legend of the Broken Spoke
Honky Tonk Heaven: Legend of the Broken Spoke

2016-03-13

Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl
Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl

2016-03-04

Willie Nelson's 4th of July Celebration
Willie Nelson's 4th of July Celebration

1979-06-01

Willie Nelson: Live from Austin TX
Willie Nelson: Live from Austin TX

2006-05-01

The Big Bounce
The Big Bounce

2004-01-30

The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning
The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning

2007-03-04

The King of Texas
The King of Texas

2008-03-01

Zoolander 2
Zoolander 2

2016-02-06

Playboy Video Magazine: Volume 4
Playboy Video Magazine: Volume 4

1983-01-01

The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James
The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James

1986-02-17

A Poem Is a Naked Person
A Poem Is a Naked Person

1974-05-09

Willie and Me
Willie and Me

2024-02-09

Lost in London
Lost in London

2017-01-19

The Journeyman
The Journeyman

2001-03-10

The American Epic Sessions
The American Epic Sessions

2016-03-16

Opry Video Classics: Hall of Fame
Opry Video Classics: Hall of Fame

2007-11-21

Outlaw Country: Live from Austin, TX
Outlaw Country: Live from Austin, TX

2006-09-19

Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing, Live
Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing, Live

2007-03-06

Willie Nelson at the Teatro
Willie Nelson at the Teatro

1998-01-01

The Highwaymen - Live American Outlaws
The Highwaymen - Live American Outlaws

2016-05-20

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

1999-06-08

Paradox
Paradox

2018-03-15

American Revolutions: The Highwaymen
American Revolutions: The Highwaymen

2006-09-26

The Country Bears
The Country Bears

2002-07-26

Merle Haggard: The Real Deal
Merle Haggard: The Real Deal

2008-12-30

The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End
The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End

2016-05-27

This Land Is Your Land - Folk Years
This Land Is Your Land - Folk Years

2002-05-22

Half Baked
Half Baked

1998-01-16

OK Buckaroos
OK Buckaroos

2010-11-16

Also Starring Austin
Also Starring Austin

2018-05-05

Willie Nelson: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song
Willie Nelson: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song

2016-01-15

Charley Pride: I'm Just Me
Charley Pride: I'm Just Me

2019-02-22

We Walk The Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash
We Walk The Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash

2012-08-20

Elvis | Viva Las Vegas
Elvis | Viva Las Vegas

2008-09-16

Willie Nelson Live @ SXSW
Willie Nelson Live @ SXSW

2014-03-15

Opry Video Classics : Legends
Opry Video Classics : Legends

2007-11-21

Farm Aid 2001 - A Concert For America
Farm Aid 2001 - A Concert For America

2002-11-19

The Willie Nelson Special - With Special Guest Ray Charles
The Willie Nelson Special - With Special Guest Ray Charles

2002-07-09

Willie Nelson & Friends: Outlaws & Angels
Willie Nelson & Friends: Outlaws & Angels

2004-09-21

Quincy
Quincy

2018-09-09

Waiting for the Miracle to Come
Waiting for the Miracle to Come

2019-04-29

Last of the Breed: Live in Concert
Last of the Breed: Live in Concert

2007-09-25

The Art of McCartney
The Art of McCartney

2014-10-01

Mickey's 50
Mickey's 50

1978-11-19

The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1980
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1980

1980-02-10

Willie Nelson at Austin City Limits
Willie Nelson at Austin City Limits

2019-01-26

Willie Nelson & Family: In Concert
Willie Nelson & Family: In Concert

1983-01-01

Willie Nelson: Greatest Hits Live
Willie Nelson: Greatest Hits Live

1999-11-02

Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President
Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President

2020-09-09

Paul Williams Still Alive
Paul Williams Still Alive

2011-09-11

Anthem
Anthem

1997-07-25

Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years
Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years

2014-10-03

The World of Jim Henson
The World of Jim Henson

1994-11-23

America | A Tribute to Heroes
America | A Tribute to Heroes

2001-09-21

My Darling Vivian
My Darling Vivian

2020-04-27

We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song
We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song

1985-01-28

Willie Nelson: The Big Six-O
Willie Nelson: The Big Six-O

1993-05-22

I Am Johnny Cash
I Am Johnny Cash

2015-01-01

Broken Bridges
Broken Bridges

2006-09-08

Kenny, Dolly & Willie: Something Inside So Strong
Kenny, Dolly & Willie: Something Inside So Strong

1989-05-20

WWE WrestleMania VII
WWE WrestleMania VII

1991-03-24

Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company
Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company

2004-08-31

Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute
Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute

2021-04-07

Willie Nelson American Outlaw
Willie Nelson American Outlaw

2020-04-12

Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well
Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well

2003-12-19

Dust to Dust
Dust to Dust

1994-06-05

Pure Country: Pure Heart
Pure Country: Pure Heart

2017-08-01

Country Kings at the BBC
Country Kings at the BBC

2014-11-21

Baja Oklahoma
Baja Oklahoma

1988-02-20

The Best Democracy Money Can Buy
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy

2016-09-23

The Obama Deception
The Obama Deception

2009-03-15

Last Party 2000
Last Party 2000

2001-11-02

Chet Atkins and Friends
Chet Atkins and Friends

1987-09-06

O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar
O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar

2009-01-01