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[b]“Outlaw” Country music star, songwriter, actor, author and philanthropist, there is little left for Willie Nelson to accomplish during his life-time. With an apparently open and affable character Nelson has always been, nevertheless, a somewhat guarded man. In interviews his natural manner glosses over much information and he reveals only as much, or rather as little, as he feels like. It has been suggested that this stems from his poor Texan childhood. [/b]

Born 30th April 1933 in Abbott, Texas, then abandoned by his mother at only 6 months old, he and his older sister Bobbie were raised by their paternal grandparents. Despite the poverty which the family underwent during the Great Depression, Nelson and Bobbie were never deprived of music. They grew-up with Gospel, Country and of course Frank Sinatra. Nelson began scribbling poetry at the age of 5 and when he received his first guitar, aged 6, he began to put his lyrics to music. Both he and Bobbie benefited from the knowledge of their musical grandparents. Sadly, when Nelson was still very young, his grandfather died, leaving a gaping hole in his life. Nelson used his talent and song-writing ability to translate his grief into music. It was this honesty and simplicity that would become an unwavering part of his style and character over the years, earning him devoted fans from all walks of life.

By the age of 10 Nelson was playing his first gigs with a local polka band. Then when his sister married at the age of 16 both Nelson and Bobbie joined her husband Bud Fletcher’s band. Playing local dances and even on the radio Nelson stood out from the rest of the band. So much so that by the time his was 14 he had his own fan-club.

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After graduating from high school and a short stint in the Air Force, Nelson found himself married with three kids before he reached 25. Broke and with a family to support Nelson took to the road to try and find jobs. Working at radio stations and performing in local clubs the family struggled to pay the rent, often having to up and leave in the middle of the night to avoid the landlords. It was during these difficult years that Nelson sold his first song to keep his family afloat. ‘Family Bible’, now a Country classic, was sold for the sum of $50. With one hit under his belt Nelson was convinced he could write more. Two of his most famous songs, ‘Crazy’ and ‘Nightlife’ were written at the wheel of his car driving to and from gigs in Houston, Texas. While working in a radio station in Vancouver, Washington, Nelson often performed on air. It was here that he met song-writer and promoter Mae Axton. She advised him to take his songs back with him to Texas or Tennessee and play amongst his peers.

Nelson headed for Nashville where he found a music scene that was not quite ready for him. Ahead of his time, Nelson did not conform to the local “Nashville Sound” and finding gigs became difficult. With little success as a performer Nelson continued to write songs eventually finding himself as a popular regular at Tootsie’s, the hangout of the local songwriters. As the writer of ‘Family Bible’ he gained the respect and attention of his peers and it earned him a job as a staff writer for Pamper Music. In 1962 Nelson’s big break came in the form of Country music legend, Patsy Cline. Her version of ‘Crazy’ became one of the biggest songs she ever recorded, cementing Nelson’s reputation as one of the greatest Nashville songwriters of all time.

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Throughout the ‘60’s Nelson continued to write and even had some success as a performer. His unique style, however, was too progressive for the Nashville scene. But, in 1971, everything changed. When his house tragically burned down in Nashville, Nelson took the initiative to move back to Texas with his band and his family. On his way to visit his sister in Austin, Nelson stumbled upon a bar called The Armadillo World Headquarters. Known more as a Hippie hang-out no one ever presumed it would be here that Nelson would find an audience for his eclectic style and start a musical revolution. Spreading outwards from Austin in Texas, a new cultural and musical movement began. Nelson, along with his close friend and fellow musician Waylon Jennings, became know as the “Outlaws” of Country music. Nelson brought together musicians from across the board in his first 4th July picnic in 1973. Taking his inspiration from Woodstock. The festival found Rock & Roll, Folk, Country and Soul stars all performing together at an event that still continues today.

With 3 iconic albums in the 70’s Nelson became an international star as well as a local Southern hero. After ‘Shotgun Willie’ (1973) and ‘Phases and Stages’ (1974) came one of Nelson’s most important albums of all time, ‘Red Headed Stranger’ (1975). When he signed with Columbia Records Nelson was given artistic control over his music, a feat almost unheard of in those days. This resulted in a concept album, with which he intended to tell the story of his own journey so far. The song ‘Red-Headed Stranger’ (1945) had been an old hit for Fred Rose, and Nelson had used it as part of a children’s radio hour back in his days on the road. From there he put together the album and handed over a completed version to the record company. The rough-cut, sparse acoustical album sounded more like a demo than the final product. But with the final artistic decision in his hands Nelson was determined to release it in this form. The album, simplistic and honest, was a huge success putting Nelson and Country music into the mainstream view.

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In 1978, Nelson released the album ‘Stardust’ (1978). Up to this point his albums had consisted mainly of his own songs. “Honestly I did most of my own songs until I started running out and then I did the ‘Stardust’ album”. Compiled of both top ten Country hits and Pop hits it was a project that Nelson had had in mind for some time. But it wasn’t until he was living in LA that he found the perfect producer in Booker T Jones, who happened to be living in the apartment below him at the time. The album was a hit and brought Nelson’s voice to a pop audience.

Now a superstar song-writer and performer, Nelson needed a fresh challenge and so he turned his talent to the movies. His first part was a small role in the Sydney Pollack film ‘The Electric Horseman’ (1979) with [b][urlnew=/biography_home/43:0/Robert_Redford.htm]Robert Redford[/urlnew][/b] and [b][urlnew=/biography_home/1276:0/Jane_Fonda.htm]Jane Fonda[/urlnew][/b]. His laid-back and mischievous humour and his knack for improvisation kept the film crew laughing throughout his scenes. After getting a taste of how movies were made, Nelson was hooked and went on to act in a number of movies over the following decades. His first starring role was in the film ‘Honeysuckle Rose’ (1980) based on his life as a musician. At the request of the producer, Sydney Pollack, Nelson wrote one of his most famous songs for the movie ‘On the Road Again’ (1980). The song would go on to play its own part in several subsequent films, most famously in [b][urlnew=/biography_home/64:0/Tom_Hanks.htm]‘Forrest Gump’[/urlnew][/b] (1994).

Along with fellow Country legends [b][urlnew=/biography_home/202:0/Johnny_Cash.htm]Johnny Cash[/urlnew][/b], Waylon Jennings, [b][urlnew=/biography_home/690:0/Kris_Kristofferson.htm]Kris Kristoffesson[/urlnew][/b] Nelson formed the super-group, The Highwaymen. As a band they topped the charts with the song ‘Highwayman’ (1985) and the album of the same title went platinum. Modest, and all with a fantastic sense of humour, the band performed together for the next ten years releasing two more albums.

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In that same year Nelson became aware of an issue close to his heart and his roots, that of the plight of the American farmers. Inspired by [b][urlnew=/biography_home/2256:0/Bob_Geldof_and_Band_Aid_.htm]Bob Geldof’s[/urlnew][/b] epic charity concert Live Aid, Nelson decided to do something similar closer to home. The first Farm Aid concert took place on 22nd September 1985 at Champaign, Illinois. In the run up to the event Nelson took the opportunity to visit some of the family farmers he was trying to help. Listening to and empathising with all their personal stories, he earned not only their unwavering respect but also their love. Further down the line it would be these farmers who united together to buy Nelson’s Texan ranch and give it back to him when it was seized by the IRS.

In 1990 disaster struck Nelson’s life. Following some bad tax investment advice from accounting giant Price Waterhouse, Nelson found himself owing $17 million in back taxes to the IRS. All his property was seized including his home and he was left destitute. In true Willie Nelson style he took it with a laid back attitude, telling his friends not to be worried because he wasn’t. Along with those farmers he’d helped over the years Nelson’s friends helped to buy back his property and give or rent it back to him for a nominal fee. When Nelson’s fans began to throw money on stage he felt that things had gone too far. To remedy matters he cut a deal with the IRS to release an album of the tapes they had seized from him and so ‘The IRS Tapes: Who’ll buy my memories’ (1992) album was born. By 1993 the debts were settled.

The 90s signalled a run of collaborations with various well-known artists for Nelson. The first album ‘Across the Borderline’ (1993) included artists such as [b][urlnew=/biography_home/188:0/Sinead_O_Connor.htm]Sinead O’Connor[/urlnew][/b], [b][urlnew=/biography_home/285:0/Bob_Dylan.htm]Bob Dylan[/urlnew][/b] and [b][urlnew=/biography_home/175:0/Paul_Simon.htm]Paul Simon[/urlnew][/b] amongst others. Several albums later there came the critically acclaimed album ‘Teatro’ (1998), Nelson’s biggest hit of the ‘90’s. The album proved that at the age of 65 Nelson was still up there with the best of them.

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The 00’s have been a culmination of Nelson philanthropic causes. With Farm Aid still going strong with Nelson still on the Charity’s board of directors, a new project was looming. Having discovered the benefits of bio-diesel in Hawaii both to the environment and to the economical plight of farmers, Nelson decided to invest in it. He formed his own company BioWillie. Although the company no longer exists Willie continues to practice what he preaches, using only biodiesel in his own tour buses. Willie’s belief is that by using biodiesel we not only save the environment but also promote world peace. Without the urgent need for crude oil, conflicts over the finite energy source would be unnecessary. Nelson is still the part owner of a bio-diesel plant in Oregon.

Respected and loved by those who know him and those who know of him, Nelson has never been altered by his fame. Described as centred and down to earth, he has remained true to his childhood dream of being a musician, using his influence for philanthropic purposes. With so many causes to fight Nelson has a lot on his plate. Despite this he continues to tour tirelessly, still writes songs and has even turned his hand to writing books.

With music running through their veins it is no surprise that Nelson’s two youngest sons have become musicians. ‘They have a band called 40 Points and have toured with me over the last couple of years, but they're back in school now. They're just two really talented kids. I'm proud of them.’ Among his family Nelson counts the members of his band whose core players have been with him since the ‘70’s. From his roots in Texas where he began playing music with his pianist sister Bobbie, Nelson has achieved an almost unbelievable amount. With 2,500 hit songs and almost 300 albums under his belt, it is often hard to believe that Nelson’s tastes remain simple and unaffected. With his feet firmly on the ground it is still his family that accompanies him along his journey as a musician.

[b]Caroline McDonough[/b]
Willie Nelson biography




Willie Nelson biography



2008 - The Boom Boom Room
2008 - Surfer, Dude
2008 - Shoot Out of Luck
2008 - Beer for My Horses
2007 - Blonde Ambition
2007 - The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning (TV Film)
2007 - Fighting with Anger
2005 - The Dukes of Hazzard
2004 - The Big Bounce
2001 - The Journeyman
1999 - Outlaw Justice (TV Film)
1998 - Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (TV Series)
1998 - Half Baked
1997 - Wag the Dog
1997 - Nash Bridges (TV Series)
1997 - Gone Fishin'
1996 - Starlight
1994 - Dust to Dust
1991 - Another Pair of Aces: Three of a Kind (TV Film)
1990 - Pair of Aces (TV Film)
1988 - Where the Hell's That Gold?!!? (TV Film)
1988 - Once Upon a Texas Train (TV Film)
1986 - Miami Vice (TV Series)
1986 - Red Headed Stranger
1986 - Stagecoach (TV Film)
1986 - The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James (TV Film)
1984 - Pryor's Place (TV Series)
1984 - Songwriter
1982 - Coming Out of the Ice (TV Film)
1982 - Barbarosa
1981 - Thief
1980 - Honeysuckle Rose (aka On the Road Again)
1979 - The Electric Horseman
1975 - Mackintosh and T.J.


[b]PRODUCER[/b]
2008 - Shoot Out of Luck
2007 - Farm Aid 2007: A Homegrown Special (TV Show)
2007 - Fighting with Anger
1996 - Farm Aid '96 (TV)
1994 - Big Country
1986 - Red Headed Stranger
1986 - Stagecoach (TV Film)
1984 - Streetwise

Willie Nelson biography



2008 - Two Men with the Blues
2008 - Moment of Forever
2007 - Willie Nelson Christmas
2007 - Last of the Breed
2007 - Gravedigger
2006 - You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker
2006 - Songbird
2006 - Live from Austin, Texas
2006 - Just a Couple of Outlaws
2006 - All American Country
2005 - Songs for Tsunami Relief: Austin to South Asia
2005 - Countryman
2004 - Outlaws and Angels
2004 - Music Legends: The Best of Willie Live
2004 - Live in Amsterdam
2004 - Live at Billy Bob's Texas
2004 - It Always Will Be
2003 - Willie Nelson and Friends: Live and Kickin'
2003 - Standard Time
2003 - Run That By Me One More Time
2003 - Reunion - Can't Get the Hell Out of Texas
2003 - Keepsakes
2003 - I Just Don't Understand
2003 - Honky Tonk Heroes
2002 - Stars & Guitars
2002 - Is There Something on Your Mind
2002 - Home Is Where You're Happy
2002 - Great Divide
2002 - All of Me Live...in Concert
2001 - Tales Out of Luck
2001 - Rainbow Connection
2000 - Milk Cow Blues
2000 - Memories of Hank Williams, Sr.
2000 - Me and the Drummer
2000 - Good Ol' Country Singin'
2000 - Clean Shirt
1999 - Night and Day
1998 - Willie Nelson Live
1998 - Teatro
1998 - Life's Railway to Heaven
1998 - Back to Back: Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline
1997 - Hill Country Christmas
1997 - Christmas with Willie Nelson
1997 - All of Me
1996 - Spirit
1996 - Just One Love
1996 - How Great Thou Art
1995 - Six Hours at Pedernales
1995 - Pancho, Lefty and Rudolph
1994 - Moonlight Becomes You
1994 - Healing Hands of Time
1993 - Across the Borderline
1992 - IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?
1990 - Born for Trouble
1989 - Horse Called Music
1988 - What a Wonderful World
1987 - Seashores of Old Mexico
1987 - Island in the Sea
1986 - Promiseland
1986 - Partners
1985 - Me and Paul
1985 - Half Nelson
1985 - Funny How Time Slips Away
1985 - Brand on My Heart
1984 - Portait in Music
1984 - Music from "Songwriter"
1984 - City of New Orleans
1984 - Angel Eyes
1983 - Without a Song
1983 - Tougher Than Leather
1983 - Take It to the Limit
1982 - Old Friends
1982 - Always on My Mind
1981 - Somewhere over the Rainbow
1980 - San Antonio Rose
1980 - Honeysuckle Rose
1979 - Sings Kris Kristofferson
1979 - Pretty Paper
1979 - One for the Road
1979 - Electric Horseman
1978 - Willie and Family Live
1978 - Stardust
1978 - Waylon and Willie
1977 - To Lefty from Willie
1976 - Troublemaker
1976 - Sound in Your Mind
1975 - Red Headed Stranger
1974 - Phases and Stages
1973 - Shotgun Willie
1972 - Words Don't Fit the Picture
1972 - Willie Way
1971 - Yesterday's Wine
1971 - Willie Nelson & Family
1970 - Laying My Burdens Down
1970 - Both Sides Now
1969 - My Own Peculiar Way
1968 - Texas in My Soul
1968 - Good Times
1967 - Party's Over and Other Great Willie Nelson Songs
1967 - Make Way for Willie Nelson
1966 - Live Country Music Concert
1966 - Country Favorites, Willie Nelson Style
1965 - Country Willie: His Own Songs
1963 - Here's Willie Nelson
1962 - And Then I Wrote
1961 - Love & Pain

THE ROLE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: I Got Buff Thu 20th Nov - 6:00PM

Ricky Martin Thu 20th Nov - 4:30PM

PARANORMAL STATE: Sixth Sense Thu 20th Nov - 10:00PM