The biography of Willie Nelson

Willie Hugh Nelson is the iconic singer for outlaw country music. Nicknamed as the red headed stranger, this talented and versatile country artist is also a songwriter, philanthropist, actor and activist. He was born in Abbot Texas on April 30, 1933- the year in which America suffered great depression. Living with his grandparents, Nelson and his sister were abandoned by their mother and their father died. His grandparents are lovers of music, particularly gospel songs. He was exposed with these songs from their local Methodist church. When he was only 6 years old he started with the basics and learned to play guitar. Amazingly, he wrote his first song at a very young age of 7. A football player in Abbott high school, Nelson is also active in sports. In 1950, he graduated from high school and joined the United States Air force. But his back problems hindered him to last in the military. So, he decided to go to college and has done lots of part time jobs to keep things afloat. But eventually, he dropped out of college and worked as a disc jockey for some radio stations. In 1950, he married his first wife, Martha Matthews and together, they had two children. To pursue his dream, Nelson and his family moved to Nashville in 1960.

Nelson built his career slowly but surely, he had sold his written songs to famous singers like Patsy Cline, Billie Walker and Faron Young. By 1961, Nelson had signed his first contract with Liberty Records and released his debut album. His two first singles from the album namely “Willingly” and “Touch me” topped in the country charts. Nelson’s marriage went topsy turvy when he met Shirley Collie- he had a duet with her in a recording made in 1962. Shirley Collie became his second wife. Then came the 1970s where outlaw revolution reigned. Nelson recorded his greatest album “Shotgun Willie” followed by “Phases and Stages” in 1974. These served as Nelson’s starters in his rise to fame. The following year “Red Headed Stranger” was released. It had scored on both country and rock music charts making another title for Nelson as a crossover artist. “Blue eyes crying in the rain”-A featured single from the album has successfully peaked number one in the billboard country chart. Because of this, Nelson won his first Grammy Award. In 1978, he released his album “stardust” in which Nelson had tried a different approach in country music.  The tracks for songs in his album this time had a new style Nelson created and made his fans love it. His best old country songs include “Always on my mind”, “Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be like cowboys” and “On the road again”.