Willie Nelson

Known for ActingBorn 1933-04-30 (age 93)Abbott, Texas, USA

Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 30, 1933) is an American country singer-songwriter, author, poet, actor, and activist. Nelson was one of the main figures of the Outlaw Movement, a subgenre of Country music that developed between the end of 1960s and early 1980s. The critical success of the albums Shotgun Willie, Phases and Stages, and the commercial success of Red Headed Stranger made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music. Nelson is also recognized for his contributions to charity, he is the president and one of the founding members of Farm Aid charity concert, and his activism for the legalization of marijuana and for the use of bio-fuels. Nelson started studying music from mail order material that his grandparents gave him. He wrote his first song at age seven and joined his first band at nine. During high school, he toured locally with the Bohemian Fiddlers as their lead singer and guitar player. After graduating from high school in 1950, he joined the Air Force. However, he was discharged due to back problems. After his return, Nelson attended Baylor University for two years but dropped out because he was succeeding in music. During this time, he worked as a disc jockey in Texas radio stations and a singer in honky tonks. Nelson moved to Vancouver, Washington, where he wrote "Family Bible" and recorded the song "Lumberjack" in 1956. In 1960, he signed a publishing contract with Pamper Music which allowed him to join Ray Price's band as a bassist. During that time, he wrote songs that would become country standards, including "Funny How Time Slips Away", "Hello Walls", "Pretty Paper", and "Crazy". In 1962, he recorded his first album, And Then I Wrote. Due to this success, Nelson signed in 1965 with RCA Victor and joined the Grand Ole Opry. Nelson is a major liberal activist and the co-chair of the advisory board of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, which is in favor of marijuana legalization. On the environmental front, Nelson owns the bio-diesel brand Willie Nelson Biodiesel, which is made from vegetable oil. He is the co-founder and president of Farm Aid, and has been contributing to the benefit concert series since the first event in 1985, organizing concerts and performing with other prominent artists. Nelson is also the Honorary Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Texas Music Project, the official music charity of the state of Texas. Description above from the Wikipedia article Willie Nelson, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on WikipediaRead more

Movies & web series

Opry Video Classics: Hall of Fame

Opry Video Classics : Legends

American Revolutions: The Highwaymen

Ringo Rama

Kinky Friedman: Proud To Be An Asshole From El Paso

The Story of Darrell Royal

Willie Nelson at the Teatro

Willie Nelson & Family

Willie Nelson at Austin City Limits

The Highwaymen - Live American Outlaws

Glen Campbell | Good Times Again

VH1 Storytellers

The Highwaymen: On the Road Again

Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'

Farm Aid 2001 - A Concert For America

Willie Nelson: Down Home

Kenny, Dolly & Willie: Something Inside So Strong

Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz

Walking After Midnight

Mickey's 50

Willie Nelson: Live from Austin TX

CMA Awards

The Willie Nelson Special - With Special Guest Ray Charles

The Highwaymen: Live at Nassau Coliseum

2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Johnny Cash: American Rebel

Willie Nelson & Friends: Outlaws & Angels

We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song

Emmylou Harris: From a Deeper Well

Road to Austin

The Greatest Night in Pop

Willie Nelson Live @ SXSW

Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing, Live

CMT Crossroads

Chet Atkins: A Life in Music

Monk

Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl

Willie Nelson: The Big Six-O

Hot Country Nights

The Simpsons

Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration

A Tribute to Johnny Cash

All About Ann: Governor Richards of the Lone Star State

Space Ghost Coast to Coast

Dust to Dust

Country at the BBC

Quincy

Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman