Willie Nelson

Birth Name:

Willie Hugh Nelson

Birth Place:

Abbott, Texas, United States

Profession

Soundtrack, Actor, Music department, Producer

Formed the Farm Aid organization with Neil Young and John Mellencamp in 1985
Was honored with an all-star tribute by the Country Music Association at the Country Music Awards in 2012
Played his first professional gig with a local polka band before playing on the club circuit as a member of Bud Fletcher and the Texans
Was first exposed to music while singing hymns at church and got his first guitar at the age of 6
Worked as a radio DJ and played local gigs for several years before moving to Nashville in 1960 and working as a songwriter for Pamper Music
Quote: "Freedom is control in your own life․ I have more control now than in the past, and I'm learning the value of saying no․ That's very important․"
Quote: "If you start out looking at somebody, wondering whether he's good or bad, I think you're starting out in the wrong direction․ I think we're all good and we're all bad․"
Became popular during the 1960s as a member of the country subgenre "outlaw country," considered to be a reactive movement against Nashville conservatism
Has written more than 2,500 songs on nearly 300 albums
Began acting in 1979, first appearing in "The Electric Horseman" which starred Robert Redford
Wrote his hit song "One the Road Again" on a sick bag aboard an airplane

Fast Facts