Willie Hugh Nelson is an American singer-songwriter and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the most beloved and notorious country music singers. He reached his greatest fame during the so-called "outlaw country" movement of the 1970s, but remains iconic, especially in American popular culture. In recent years he has continued to tour, record, and perform, and this, combined with activities in advocacy of cannabis, as well as a well-publicized 2006 arrest for cannabis possession, have made him the subject of renewed media attention.
His character Billy "Catch" Pooler in the comedy movie Gone Fishin was inspired by a real person, Loren "Totch" Brown of Chokoloskee, Florida. "Totch" had a small role in the movie Wind Across the Everglades , portraying "One-Note" and acting under the name Totch Brown.
In addition to being a successful country singer, he is also a songwriter and wrote hits for many other singers, including "Crazy" for Patsy Cline.
He was a member of Ray Price s Cherokee Cowboys during the 1950s.
Attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas for one year.
Toby Keith asked if he wanted to record a duet with him. Willie agreed after simply hearing the title of the song without even reading the lyrics: "Whiskey for My Men, Beer for My Horses".
Is one of the three "outlaws" of country music, named because of their wild personalities, free spirits and liberal politics. The other two are Merle Haggard and the late Waylon Jennings.
There is a guest character named after him in an episode of "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" (titled "The Shaving").
Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993 and the American Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001.
When the IRS seized his possessions to sell at auction to try and collect money to pay his tax debt, many of Willies fans bought his stuff and then gave it back to him. (Its been said that the fans did this as a way of saying thank you for all the free concerts Nelson performed in support of Farm Aid). The only major possessions not seized by the IRS was Willies guitar and his tour bus so he could earn a living.
He was the subject of the Toby Keith song "Ill Never Smoke Weed with Willie Again".
Formed the 1980s country music supergroup "The Highwaymen" with Waylon Jennings , Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson.
Inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in Austin, Texas in March 2002.
Son of Myrtle Greenhaw and Ira Nelson.
Children: Lana Nelson (born November 11, 1953), Susie (born May 23, 1956) and Billy (born September 16, 1958 who died in 1991), with Martha Matthews; Paula Nelson (Paula Carlene) (born October 27, 1969) and Amy Nelson (Amy Lee) (born July 6, 1973), with Connie Koepke; Lukas Nelson (Lukas Autry) (born December 25, 1988) and Micah Nelson (Jacob Micah) , with Annie DAngelo.
Was raised by his paternal grandparents: William Alfred Nelson and Nancy Elizabeth Smothers.
His company, Willie Nelson Biodiesel, markets biodiesel biofuel to truck stops.
Was considered for the role of Red Webster in Road House , which went to Red West.
Father of Lukas Nelson and Micah Nelson from his marriage to Annie DAngelo.
Owns a selection of about 15 guitars, but the one he plays mostly on tour, is his Martin acoustic which he refers to as "Trigger", named after Roy Rogers s horse.
In 1985, Willie had done a duet with Ray Charles called "Seven Spanish Angels". It was on the Billboard Country Hit Chart for twelve weeks, with one week as No. 1.
Sister Bobby Nelson is a pianist.
Willies eco-friendly tour bus is called the "Honeysuckle Rose IV" and runs on a variety of biofuels.
Willies favorite guitar player is Django Reinhardt and he chose his 1969 Martin N-20 acoustic based on its tonal similarities to Reinhardts guitar. Willie purchased his instrument unseen for $750 and due to its ascendancy into legendary status over the years, the Martin company issued a special limited edition line of Willie Nelson signature models in 1999.
Because Willies favorite Martin classical acoustic guitar never had a scratch plate, his persistent use of a pick for over 30 years has worn a gaping hole through his instruments body. Further defacement of the wooden body was caused by Willies insistence that friends and associates inscribe their autographs on his guitar using a ball-point pen. Some of the numerous signatures collected over the years include, Johnny Cash , Kris Kristofferson , Waylon Jennings , Gene Autry Leon Russell , Roger Miller , along with various football coaches and lawyers, etc.
Willie and his nephew, Freddy Fletcher, became co-owners of the "Austin City Limits" studio and nightclub.
Counts Frank Sinatra among his all-time favorite singers.
Performed at the 1994 wedding reception of Microsofts Bill Gates and Melinda Gates in Lanai, Hawaii.
On the last night of his first marriage with Martha, Willie came home drunk and passed out on the bed. Willies wife sewed him up in a sheet and then beat him with a broom and then getting away in the car with the kids, her clothes, and his clothes. Willie said there was no way he could follow her naked so that was kind of the end of it.
Claims to have smoked pot on the roof of the White House with James Carter III , son of then President and dear old family friend Jimmy Carter.
Has studied martial arts for over 20 years, first in Tae Kwon Do under Sam Um, then studying Gongkwon Yusul under Um. Nelson holds a 5th-degree black belt in the art, having received it in 2014.
I think most art comes out of poverty and hard times.
The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Fortunately, we are not in control.
When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.
Well the country songs themselves are three-chord stories, ballads which are mostly sad. If you are already feeling sorry for yourself when you listen to them they will take you to an even sadder place.
I think people need to be educated to the fact that marijuana is not a drug. Marijuana is an herb and a flower. God put it here. If He put it here and He wants it to grow, what gives the government the right to say that God is wrong?,If you got the money honey I got the time and when you run out of money honey I run out of time.
Freedom is control in your own life. .
