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Willie Nelson

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Willie Nelson
Photo: Pamela Smith / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Willie Nelson wrote "Crazy," the song Patsy Cline made famous. His 1975 recording of "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" became his first No. 1 hit, and in 1985 he started Farm Aid with John Mellencamp and Neil Young. In 2015 he became the first country artist to receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

Born
April 29, 1933
Hometown
Abbott, Texas
Country Music Hall of Fame
Inducted 1993
Music and books

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Latest Stories

Willie Nelson’s IRS Tapes Album Came From Something the Government Had Already Taken From Him

In 1990 the IRS took Willie Nelson's homes and studio over a $32 million tax bill. The IRS Tapes, sold by phone on late-night TV, helped him settle it.

Bob Weir’s Final Country Cover “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” Hits Different Now That He’s Gone

Bob Weir's final cover of "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" hits harder now that he's gone, offering fans a raw, soulful farewell from a legend who never stopped giving everything to the music.

Willie Nelson Admits There’s Just One Thing That Would Make Him Step Away From Music

Willie Nelson says he will only quit music when his beloved guitar Trigger gives out. Here's the badass story behind their legendary bond and why that moment will mark the end of an era in country music.

Willie Nelson Tried to Quit Music in 1972 and Came Back More Dangerous Than Ever

Willie Nelson tried to quit music in 1972, but his short-lived retirement sparked the outlaw revolution. He came back with Shotgun Willie and changed country music forever.

Willie Nelson Just Gave $1.3 Million to Family Farms and Proved He’s Still in This for the Long Haul

Willie Nelson just helped deliver $1.3 million in Farm Aid grants to support family farms across the U.S., proving he's still leading the charge for rural America at 92.

Waylon Jennings Had to Fight Columbia Executives to Get Willie Nelson’s ‘Red Headed Stranger’ Released

Waylon Jennings went toe-to-toe with Columbia Records to defend Willie Nelson's raw and stripped-down Red Headed Stranger album.

Billy Strings Details Losing $1,000 to Willie Nelson at Poker and It Happened Fast

Billy Strings lost one thousand dollars to Willie Nelson in a poker game and walked away with something priceless as he jammed with legends and strummed Trigger, Willie's iconic guitar, for a night he will never forget.

Shooter Jennings Confirms Waylon Jennings Documentary With Rare Willie Nelson Interview Included

Shooter Jennings confirms an official Waylon Jennings documentary is in the works, featuring rare footage and a fresh interview with Willie Nelson, giving fans a powerful look at the outlaw legend's lasting legacy.

Did Willie Nelson Really Dodge the Draft? Here’s the Truth About His Military Service

Willie Nelson did not dodge the draft. He served in the U.S. Air Force in 1950 and was medically discharged due to back issues, later becoming a lifelong advocate for veterans and rural America.

Grammy’s New Best Traditional Country Album Packs a Lineup Full of Heavy Hitters

The new Grammy category for Best Traditional Country Album brings long-overdue recognition to artists like Margo Price, Zach Top, and Charley Crockett.

2026 Country GRAMMY Nominees Include Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, and a Few Big Surprises

Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, and Zach Top lead the 2026 country GRAMMY nominations while bold moves from Shaboozey and Jelly Roll take the genre in new directions.

Willie Nelson Once Claimed Ray Charles Did More for Country Than Most Artists Ever Did

Willie Nelson once said Ray Charles did more for country music than anyone else, and his powerful words are back in the spotlight.

Zac Brown Reveals the Hilarious Thing Willie Nelson Does With Young Artists Before Shows

Zac Brown revealed Willie Nelson's hilarious pre-show ritual of trying to get young artists "smashed" before they perform, adding to the outlaw icon's wild legend.

Willie Nelson and Son Lukas Perform Emotional “Just Breathe” Duet at Farm Aid Over the Weekend

At Farm Aid's 40th anniversary, Willie Nelson, 92, and his son Lukas moved the crowd with a heartfelt duet of "Just Breathe," turning the night into pure legacy.

These Famous Country Artists Shockingly Aren’t Members of the Grand Ole Opry Yet

From George Strait to Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton, and Willie Nelson, some of country's biggest legends still aren't members of the Grand Ole Opry.

BigXthaPlug Drops Country-Inspired Album but Admits He Doesn’t Know George Strait or Willie Nelson

BigXthaPlug dropped a country-inspired album, but admitted he doesn't know George Strait or Willie Nelson, a confession that lit up Texas fans in anger.

Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson Bring Outlaw Energy to Jones Beach With Wilco and Lucinda Williams

Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson lit up Jones Beach with Wilco and Lucinda Williams in a night of outlaw legends, unexpected covers, and raw country soul.

Did a Texas University Ban Willie Nelson or Was He Just Too Much of an Outlaw to Show Up

Rumors still swirl about whether Baylor University banned Willie Nelson back in 1988 or if the Red-Headed Stranger was just too much outlaw for campus to handle.

On This Day in 2015, Willie and Merle Proved They Still Ran the Damn Game With “Django and Jimmie”

On this day in 2015, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard topped the charts with Django and Jimmie, proving country's outlaws still ran the show.

Tim McGraw’s Daughter Audrey and Willie Nelson’s Son Lukas Finally Share Their Long-Held Duet

Audrey McGraw and Lukas Nelson share a long-awaited duet that proves the next generation of country royalty isn't here to play it safe, they're here to make magic.

Willie Nelson’s Son Wrote His First Song and Hearing His Dad Sing It Made Him Fall in Love With Music

Lukas Nelson revealed that the first song he ever wrote was for his legendary father, Willie Nelson, during a heartfelt Grand Ole Opry performance that had fans emotional.

Willie Nelson’s Voice Trembles Through “Help Me Make It Through the Night” and It Just Hurts to Watch

Willie Nelson's trembling performance of "Help Me Make It Through the Night" at Farm Aid 2024 wasn't just emotional, it was a raw goodbye we weren't ready for.

Meet Willie Nelson’s Children Including His Daughter He Only Found Out In 2012

Meet Willie Nelson’s children from his eldest son to the daughter he only discovered in 2012 and learn how each has shaped his remarkable musical legacy.

The First Poem 6-Year-Old Willie Nelson Wrote That Kickstarted a Legendary Career

At just six years old, Willie Nelson wrote a scrappy little poem that kicked off one of country music's greatest careers. His outlaw spirit was there from the start.

Willie Nelson’s Wife Slams Inaccurate Claims That Lukas Nelson Is Caring for Them

Annie D'Angelo isn't letting anyone rewrite her family's story. After false claims about Willie Nelson's care, she set the record straight in the best way.

Willie Nelson’s Secret to Staying Healthy and Happy at 92

At 92 years old, Willie Nelson is still touring and thriving. His secret? Simple food, daily movement, a stubborn mindset, and never losing his love for life.

Nashville Tried to Break Willie Nelson but He Rebuilt Music City His Own Way

Before Willie Nelson became a legend, Nashville nearly broke him. How rejection fueled his rise, reshaped country music, and built a new legacy on his own terms.

Why The Highwaymen Refused Alcohol on Tour and What They Drank Instead

The Highwaymen left the booze off their tour rider for a reason—most had already been to hell with it. What they drank instead says more than you'd expect.

Willie Nelson Sang Georgia on My Mind and the Crowd Gave Him a Standing Ovation

At 91, Willie Nelson delivered a soul-deep rendition of "Georgia on My Mind" in Macon, and the crowd stood not just for the song but for the man behind it.

George Strait and Willie Nelson’s First Duet Took Years to Happen But It Was Worth It

George Strait and Willie Nelson shared the stage for their first duet in 2019 and delivered a moment that country fans had waited decades to witness.

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