Willie Nelson’s Career and Life in Photos
Here’s a look at Willie Nelson, the legendary musician, and his life as a father, brother and husband.
Willie Nelson Early Days
Willie Nelson I was born in Abbott, Texas on April 29, 1934, and raised there. his older sister BobbieGrandparents. Nelson, the older brother, took up football in high school after he had played music with his siblings.
Nelson in his second year of high school at Abbott High School, 1948.
Willie Nelson, His Sister Bobbie Nelson
Willie was a close friend of his sister, and the two would continue to play music for many decades. Here are the siblings in 1946, when they were teenagers.
They released a joint book in 2020: The True Tales of the Family Band: Me and Sister Bobbie
Willie Nelson is leaving Texas
Nelson started his music career after he served in the U.S. Air Force. Nelson had moved to Nashville by the early 1960s.
His first two albums were released while signed to Liberty Records in 1962: Then I wrote… The Year 1963 Willie Nelson is Here.
A young Nelson performs on KPHO TV, Phoenix, in December 1962.
Willie Nelson Marries Shirley Collie
Nelson married his high school sweetheart Martha Matthews for the first time in 1952. They divorced ten years later. Nelson married his second wifeThe two were together from 1963 until 1971.
Willie Nelson Signs RCA
Nelson joined Ray Price’s music band. Price is just one artist who recorded songs by Nelson which became hits.
Nelson signed a deal with RCA Records, in 1964.
Willing Nelson in the Recording Studio
Nelson, in the early 1970s decided that it was time for him to return to Texas, and he considered pursuing pig-farming. The New York Times noted. He was, however, offered a contract in 1972 by Atlantic Records executive Jerry Wexler, who he had met at a Nashville-area party.
The album ’73 was recorded there. Shotgun Willie, 1974’s The phases and stages It’s 1975 Red Headed Stranger
Nelson, along with Waylon Jennings of country music fame, would be the leader of a subgenre known as “outlaw Country.”
Nelson with his sister Bobbie in Atlantic Records’ New York City studios, in February 1973. Also present is Paul English, Nelson’s longtime friend, and Arif Mardin the producer.
Nelson founded his band The Family in 1973. Times The group consisted of Bobbie English and Mickey Raphael as well as Bee Spears, Jayne Payne, and Bobbie English.
Willie Nelson’s Saturday Night Live
Nelson performed on as a musical Guest Saturday Night Live During the third season of the show in 1977.
Willie Nelson Waylon J.
Nelson and Jennings in New York, April 1978.
Willie Nelson, Actor
Nelson’s career was not limited to music and songwriting. He also brought his talents to film. In 1979, he played in the film The Electric Horseman (pictured here).
Since then, he’s landed a number of screen roles including Stagecoach, Half Baked The following are some examples of how to get started: Austin Powers: The Spy who Shagged Me
Willie Nelson wins the CMA Awards
Nelson won many Country Music Association Awards, including this one in 1979 for Entertainer Of The Year.
Willie Nelson on the White House Steps
In 1979, Nelson visited the White House with singer Charley Pride to present President Jimmy Carter with a special award for his support of country music — as voted on by the Country Music Association Board.
Willie Nelson with Connie Kopeke
Nelson welcomed his daughter Paula, with Connie Koepke, in 1969. (While he was married to Shirley Collie prior to their divorce of 1971). Nelson and Kopeke also had a daughter named Amy in 1973.
While still married to Kopeke he met and fell in love with his fourth spouse, Annie D’Angelo. The pair separated in 1988.
“I messed up another marriage. He wrote in his autobiography that “my wandering ways are too much to bear for any woman.” “I’ll forever love Connie.”
Willie Nelson is a dad
Nelson was already dead by the time Paula arrived on the scene in 1961. was already a father of four (though he didn’t learn about his eldest daughter Renée until decades after her birth).
Renee Butts (née Lynda Renee Barley) was born on Jan. 22, 1953, to Nelson’s friend Mary Haney, but it wasn’t until much later on — more than 50 years — that he learned of their lineage.
Martha Matthews was his first spouse. He has two daughters, Lana Nelson Fowler (Susie Nelson) and William “Billy Hugh Nelson Jr. Billy died in 1991 by suicide.
Paula and Amy are his daughters, by Koepke. He and D’Angelo had two sons in 1988 and 1990, Lukas “Micah’ Nelson and Lukas Autry Nelson.
Willie Nelson and Farm Aid
Nelson co-founded Farm Aid with fellow singer-songwriters in 1985. Neil Young The following are some examples of how to get started: John Mellencamp. The annual benefit concert helps raise money for farmers in the United States. The organization’s goal, per its website“The goal of the project is to create an agriculture system that is centered on family farms and vibrant in America.”
The first Farm Aid concert (pictured above) was held in Champaign Illinois and featured performances from artists such as Billy Joel, B.B. KingRoy Orbison Bob Dylan.
Willie Nelson’s friendship with Jimmy Carter
Nelson celebrated the 100th anniversary of Plains Georgia with President Carter.
Nelson and Carter are friends that have been going on for decades. Nelson said this once. an interview with Anderson Cooper.
When talking about his visits to the White House, Nelson said: “Jimmy and I would jog together and hang out, and his son and I would hang out together in the White House — we had a lot of fun.”
Cooper then asked Nelson about smoking marijuana on the roof of the White House, which he discusses in his autobiography — and Carter himself confirmed was with his son, James Earl “Chip” Carter.
“I don’t remember,” Nelson demurred.
Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton
Willie Nelson was pictured with Dolly Parton at the Grand Ole Opry’s 60th Anniversary television special in 1986.
Nelson became a member of Opry legend in 1964.
Willie Nelson & Ray Charles
Nelson appeared with his friend Ray Charles in 1988 for a CBS TV broadcast.
Both men worked together on “Seven Spanish Angels”, a song they wrote.
Willie Nelson & the IRS
Nelson filed for bankruptcy in 1990 after it was revealed he owed over $16.7 million. in taxes The IRS. The government confiscated some of his possessions, including the furniture from his cabin.
The album is called The IRS Tapes – Who Will Buy My Memories? In an attempt to repay the debt successfully, he made an effort.
Willie Nelson & the Highwaymen
Nelson, in addition to his solo career, was also part of the Highwaymen country group, which included music legends such as Jennings. Johnny Cash The following are some examples of how to get started: Kris Kristofferson The Central Park SumerStage, New York City 1993.
Willie Nelson and Country Music Hall of Fame
Nelson, Kristofferson, and Cash were all present on stage when Nelson gave a speech of thanks for his induction to the Country Music Hall of Fame at the Country Music Association Awards of 1993.
Willie Nelson honored by the Kennedy Center
Nelson won the Kennedy Center Honors along with John Kander and Fred Ebb in 1998. Shirley Temple BlackAndre Previn, Bill Cosby. rescinded in 2018).
Willie Nelson with Annie D’Angelo
Nelson and Annie D’Angelo met in 1986. They welcomed their first child, Lukas, in 1988, followed by Jacob “Micah”, in 1990. In 1991, they married.
The couple poses at the 42nd annual Grammy Awards Nelson won his first Grammy in 2000. Nelson has received 56 Grammy nominations and 12 Grammys.
Willie Nelson & the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame
Nelson was inducted to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001.
Willie Nelson & Ray Price
Nelson performed with old friend Ray Price at Beacon Theatre, New York City. Willie Nelson & Friends: Live & Kickin’ TV special. The two can be seen here rehearsing.
Willie Nelson & Marijuana
Nelson, a marijuana enthusiast who has even his own curated line Call us today to learn more about our services. Willie’s ReserveThe has been a long-time advocate for its legalization. He played Freedom Fest in 2007, which raised money for the Marijuana Policy Project and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. NORML’s website.
Willie Nelson Reunites with His oldest daughter
Nelson’s 2012 Memoir Roll me up and smoke me when I die: Musings from The Road, he talked about how he learned about his eldest daughter, Renée Butts.
He wrote: “I had a dear, old friend named Mary Haney who I had lost contact with for decades but met recently again after decades.” “Turns out Mary and I had a child together called Renée. It also turns out Renée has a daughter, Noelle, who has a daughter, [Jordyn], who I am happy to now call my great-granddaughter.”
He said, “My newly-discovered family took some time to emerge.”
Butts has died in August 2017.
Willie Nelson is a family man
Nelson’s family was present at the Hard Rock Cafe, New York City in 2013, for Hard Rock International’s Artist Spotlight Benefit Concert. The family included his nephew Trevor Nelson and daughter Paula Nelson. Also, son Micah Nelson and son Lukas Nelson.
Willie Nelson performs with Bobbie
Nelson and his sister Bobbie were joined on stage by Austin City Limits Live 2014 on New Years Eve in Austin.
Willie once told PEOPLE his sister was “The most natural talent of the Nelsons”
Bobbie died at the age of 91 in 2022.
Willie Nelson Earns His Black Belt
It’s not surprising that a man with many talents is a fifth-degree black belt is part of Nelson’s résumé. He poses with another student at his award ceremony for the fifth degree of black belt.
Willie Nelson wins the Gershwin Prize
Nelson was awarded the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by the Gershwin Foundation in 2015. He is seen here on stage at Washington D.C.’s DAR Constitution Hall during the tribute concert.
Willie Nelson and His Sons
Lukas and Micah, who are both musicians themselves, pose with their dad at the Producers & Engineers Wing 12th annual Grammy week event honoring Nelson in 2019 in Los Angeles.
Willie Nelson, Kacey Mugraves
Nelson Kacey Musgraves They have formed a close friendship, having performed together many times.
When giving a home tour for Architectural Digest in 2022, Musgraves showed off the half-smoked joint she has framed — given to her by Nelson.
“He rolled this huge fatty Musgraves explained that we sat with him and smoked the marijuana. “He said to me, ‘Save it for another time’, and I did.”
Here, the two pose together at the producers & Engineers Wing 12th annual Grammy week event in his honor in 2019.
Willie Nelson, Political Activism
Nelson is a long-time political activist (with causes such as marijuana legalization and LGBTQ+ rights, and anti-war legislation), and here he performed during a rally in support of voting rights at the Texas state capitol in the year 2021.
Willie Nelson Celebrates 90 Years!
Nelson continues to perform after more than 50 years in the music industry. He performed in Los Angeles at the Autism Speaks – Light Up The Blues Concert 6 a month before his 90th Birthday.
On April 29-30, he will celebrate his milestone birthday at the Hollywood Bowl with friends and co-workers.
Musgraves will be joining him, as well as Beck and Chris Stapleton. Leon Bridges, The Chicks The following are some examples of how to get started: Snoop Dogg.
I can’t thank everyone enough for taking the time to help me. to come out and help me sing ‘Happy Birthday’ on my 90th birthdayNelson told PEOPLE. I really appreciate it. They are all wonderful.
Visit People for more news. sign up for our newsletter!
Original article: Read it on People.