View source for Willie Nelson

{{Short description|American country musician (born 1933)}}
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{{for-multi|the American boxer|Willie Nelson (boxer)|the Scottish rugby player|Willie Neilson|other people|William Nelson (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}

{{Infobox person
| name               = Willie Nelson
| image              = Willie UK2K7 2.JPG
| caption            = Nelson in 2007
| birth_name         = Willie Hugh Nelson
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1933|4|29}}
| birth_place        = [[Abbott, Texas]], U.S.
| occupation         = {{hlist|Singer|musician|songwriter|actor|activist}}
| years_active       = 1956–present
| website            = {{URL|http://www.willienelson.com/}}
| spouse             = {{ubl|{{marriage|Martha Matthews|1952|1962|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|[[Shirley Collie Nelson|Shirley Collie]]|1963|1971|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Connie Koepke|1971|1988|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Annie D'Angelo|1991}}}}
| children           = 8, including [[Paula Nelson|Paula]] and [[Lukas Nelson|Lukas]]
| relatives          = [[Bobbie Nelson]] (sister)
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| genre               = {{hlist|[[Country music|Country]]|[[blues]]|[[jazz]]|[[Gospel music|gospel]]}}
| instrument          = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar}}
| discography         = {{hlist|[[Willie Nelson albums discography|Albums]]|[[Willie Nelson singles discography|singles]]|[[List of songs written by Willie Nelson|songwriting]]}}
|past_member_of = [[The Highwaymen (country supergroup)|The Highwaymen]]
| label               = {{hlist|[[Liberty Records|Liberty]]|[[RCA Victor]]|[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]|[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]|[[Island Records|Island]]|Justice Records|[[Lost Highway Records|Lost Highway]]|[[Legacy Recordings]]}}
}}
| module2            = {{Infobox military person
| embed         = yes
| embed_title   = Military service
| allegiance    = {{flag|United States|1912}}
| branch        = {{air force|USA}}
| branch_label  = [[Military branch|Branch]]
| battles      = [[Korean War]]}}
}}

'''Willie Hugh Nelson''' (born April 29, 1933) is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor and activist. He was one of the main figures of the [[outlaw country]] subgenre that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restrictions of the [[Nashville sound]]. The critical success of his album ''[[Shotgun Willie]]'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of ''[[Red Headed Stranger]]'' (1975) and ''[[Stardust (Willie Nelson album)|Stardust]]'' (1978), made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music. Nelson has acted in over 30 films, co-authored several books, and has been involved in activism for the use of [[biofuel]]s and the [[Legalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States|legalization of marijuana]].

Nelson wrote his first song at age seven and joined his first band at ten. During high school, he toured locally with the Bohemian Polka as their lead singer and guitar player. After graduating from high school in 1950, he joined the [[U.S. Air Force]] but was later discharged due to back problems. After his return, Nelson attended [[Baylor University]] for two years but dropped out because he was succeeding in music. He worked as a [[disc jockey]] at radio stations in his native Texas, and at several radio stations in the [[Pacific Northwest]], all the while working as a singer and songwriter throughout the late 1950s. During that time, he wrote songs that would become country standards, including "[[Funny How Time Slips Away]]", "[[Hello Walls]]", "[[Pretty Paper (song)|Pretty Paper]]", and "[[Crazy (Willie Nelson song)|Crazy]]". In 1960, he moved to [[Nashville, Tennessee]], then signed a publishing contract with Pamper Music that allowed him to join [[Ray Price]]'s band as a bassist. In 1962, he recorded his first album, ''[[...And Then I Wrote]]''. Its success enabled  Nelson to sign with [[RCA Victor]] in 1964 and join the [[Grand Ole Opry]] the following year. After mid-chart hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Nelson grew weary of the corporate Nashville music scene. In 1972, he moved to [[Austin, Texas]], returned to performing, and appeared frequently at the [[Armadillo World Headquarters]].

In 1973, after signing with [[Atlantic Records]], Nelson turned to outlaw country, including albums such as ''Shotgun Willie'' and ''Phases and Stages''. In 1975, he switched to Columbia Records, where he recorded the critically acclaimed album ''Red Headed Stranger''. The same year, he recorded another outlaw country album, ''[[Wanted! The Outlaws]]'', with [[Waylon Jennings]], [[Jessi Colter]], and [[Tompall Glaser]]. During the mid-1980s, while creating hit albums such as ''[[Honeysuckle Rose (album)|Honeysuckle Rose]]'' and recording hit songs such as "[[On the Road Again (Willie Nelson song)|On the Road Again]]", "[[To All the Girls I've Loved Before]]", and "[[Pancho and Lefty]]", he joined the country [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] [[The Highwaymen (country supergroup)|The Highwaymen]], along with fellow singers Jennings, [[Johnny Cash]], and [[Kris Kristofferson]]. In 1985, he helped organize the first [[Farm Aid]] concert to benefit American farmers; he has appeared at the annual concerts ever since.

In 1990, Nelson's assets were seized by the [[Internal Revenue Service]], which claimed that he owed $32{{nbsp}}million. The difficulty of paying his outstanding debt was aggravated by weak investments he had made during the 1980s. In 1992, Nelson released ''[[The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?]]''; the profits of the double album—destined to the IRS—and the auction of Nelson's assets cleared his debt. During the 1990s and 2000s, Nelson continued touring extensively and released albums every year. Reviews ranged from positive to mixed. He explored genres such as reggae, blues, jazz, and folk.

Nelson made his first movie appearance in the 1979 film ''[[The Electric Horseman]]'', followed by other appearances in movies and on television. Nelson is a major [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberal]] activist and the co-chair of the advisory board of the [[National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws]] (NORML), which is in favor of marijuana legalization. On the environmental front, Nelson owns the [[biodiesel]] brand [[Willie Nelson Biodiesel]], whose product is made from vegetable oil. Nelson is also the honorary chairman of the advisory board of the Texas Music Project, the official music charity of the state of Texas.

==Early life and education==
{{multiple image
   | direction = vertical
   | width     = 120
   | footer    = Nelson as a junior at [[Abbott High School]] (top, pictured in 1949). Nelson's high school football portrait, (bottom, {{circa}} 1950)
   | image1    = Young-willie-nelson.jpg
   | alt1      = 
   | caption1  = 
   | image2    = Willie-Nelson-Highschool.jpg
   | alt2      = =A man with a leather helmet and a white football jersey
   | caption2  = 
}}

Willie Hugh Nelson was born in [[Abbott, Texas]], on April&nbsp;29, 1933,{{sfn|Patoski|2008|p=13}} to Ira Doyle Nelson and Myrle Marie (''née'' Greenhaw).{{sfn|Scobey|1982|p=58}} His birthday was incorrectly recorded by Dr. F. D. Sims as April&nbsp;30.{{sfn|Patoski|2008|p=13}} He was named Willie by his cousin Mildred, who also chose Hugh as his middle name, in honor of her recently deceased younger brother.{{sfn|Patoski|p=13|2008}} Nelson traces his genealogy to the [[American Revolutionary War]], in which his ancestor John Nelson served as a major.{{sfn|Hunt|2009}} His parents moved to Texas from [[Arkansas]] in 1929 to look for work. His grandfather, William, worked as a blacksmith, while his father worked as a mechanic.{{sfn|Nelson|2007a|p=29}} His mother left soon after he was born,{{sfn|Laufenberg|p=473|2005}} and his father remarried and also moved away, leaving Nelson and his sister [[Bobbie Nelson|Bobbie]] to be raised by their grandparents, who taught singing back in Arkansas and started their grandchildren in music.{{sfn|Patoski|p=6|2008}}{{sfn|Reid|2004|p=[{{google books |plainurl=y |id=qCDF5fFuBT8C|page=218}} 218]}} Nelson's grandfather bought him a guitar when he was six, and taught him a few [[Guitar chord|chords]],{{sfn|Nelson|2007a|p=29}} and Nelson sang gospel songs in the local church alongside Bobbie.{{sfn|Malone|2002|p=303}} He wrote his first song at age seven,{{sfn|Patoski|2008}} and when he was nine, he played guitar for local band Bohemian Polka.{{sfn|Kienzle|p=236|2003}} During the summer, the family [[Cotton picking|picked cotton]] alongside other Abbott residents.{{sfn|Richmond|2000|pp=[{{google books|plainurl=y|ZqZ4PgAACAAJ|page=7}} 7, 8, 23]}} Nelson disliked picking cotton, so he earned money by singing in dance halls, taverns, and [[Honky-tonk|honky tonks]] from age 13, which he continued through high school.{{sfn|Scobey|1982|p=47}} His musical influences were [[Jimmie Rodgers]],  [[Hank Williams]], [[Bob Wills]], [[Lefty Frizzell]], [[Ray Price]], [[Ernest Tubb]], [[Hank Snow]], [[Django Reinhardt]], [[Frank Sinatra]], and [[Louis Armstrong]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://nashvillemusicguide.com/willie-nelson-and-merle-haggard-sing-about-influences-and-friendship-on-django-and-jimmie-cd/ | title=Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard Sing About Influences and Friendship on "Django and Jimmie" CD | date=July 12, 2015 }}</ref>{{sfn|Richmond|2000|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=ZqZ4PgAACAAJ|page=17}} 17]}}{{sfn|Hann|2012}}

Nelson attended [[Abbott High School]], where he was a halfback on the [[American football|football]] team, guard on the [[basketball]] team, and [[shortstop]] in [[baseball]]. He also raised [[pig]]s with the [[National FFA Organization|Future Farmers of America]].{{sfn|Scobey|1982|p=58}} While still at school, he sang and played guitar in The Texans, a band formed by his sister's husband, Bud Fletcher.{{sfn|Kienzle|p=236|2003}} The band played in [[honky-tonk]]s, and also had a Sunday morning spot at [[KHBR (AM)|KHBR]] in [[Hillsboro, Texas]]. Meanwhile, Nelson had a short stint as a relief phone operator in Abbott, followed by a job as a [[tree care|tree trimmer]] for the local electric company, as well as a [[pawn shop]] employee.{{sfn|Myers|1969|p=4}} After leaving school in 1950, he joined the [[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]; he served for eight months before being medically discharged because of issues with his back.{{sfn|Chapman|2010|p=392}}{{sfn|Thomson|2012|p=30}} Upon his return, he married Martha Matthews in 1952, and from 1954 to 1956 studied agriculture at [[Baylor University]], where he joined the [[Tau Kappa Epsilon]] fraternity, until dropping out to pursue a career in music.{{sfn|Richmond|2000|p=24}} He worked as a nightclub bouncer, autohouse partsman, saddle maker, and tree trimmer again. He later joined [[Johnny Bush]]'s band.

Nelson moved with his family to [[Pleasanton, Texas]], where he auditioned for a job as a DJ at [[KWMF|KBOP]]. The owner of the station, Dr. Ben Parker, gave Nelson the job despite his lack of experience working on radio.{{sfn|Myers|1969|p=4}} With the equipment of the station, Nelson made his first two recordings in 1955: "[[The Storm Has Just Begun]]" and "When I've Sung My Last Hillbilly Song". He recorded the tracks on used tapes, and sent the demos to the local label SARG Records, which rejected them.{{sfn|Thomson|p=24|2012}} He then had stints working for KDNT in [[Denton, Texas|Denton]], [[KAMM (AM)|KCUL]], and [[KFJZ|KCNC]] in [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]], where he hosted ''[[The Western Express]]'', taught Sunday school, and played in nightclubs. He then decided to move to [[San Diego]] but, when he was unable to find a job there, he hitchhiked to [[Portland, Oregon]], where his mother lived.{{sfn|Myers|1969|p=4}} When nobody picked him up, he ended up sleeping in a ditch{{sfn|Nelson|Ritz|2015|p=92}} before hopping a [[Rail freight transport|freight train]] bound for [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]]. A truck driver drove him to a bus station and loaned him $10 for a ticket to reach [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]].{{sfn|Nelson|Ritz|2015|p=93}}

==Music career==
===Beginnings (1956–1971)===
Nelson was hired by [[KVAN (AM)|KVAN]] in [[Vancouver, Washington]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-29 |title=Off Beat: Nearly 60 years later, Vancouver still on Willie Nelson's mind |url=https://www.columbian.com/news/2014/jun/22/nearly-60-years-later-vancouver-willie-nelson-mind/ |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=The Columbian |language=en-US}}</ref> and appeared frequently on a television show.{{sfn|Myers|1969|p=4}}{{sfn|Patoski|pp=74–76|2008|}} He made his first record in 1956, "[[No Place for Me]]", that included [[Leon Payne]]'s "Lumberjack" on the B-side.{{sfn|Evans|2006|p=70}} The recording failed.{{sfn|Dicair|2007|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=MYMQl9dsKJEC|page=246}} 246]}} Nelson continued working as a radio announcer and singing in Vancouver clubs.{{sfn|Erlewine|1997|p=324}}
He made several appearances in a Colorado nightclub, later moving to [[Springfield, Missouri]]. After failing to land a spot on the ''[[Ozark Jubilee]]'', he started to work as a dishwasher. Unhappy with his job, he moved back to Texas. After a short time in [[Waco, Texas|Waco]], he settled in Fort Worth, and quit the music business for a year.{{sfn|Myers|1969|p=4}} He sold Bibles and vacuum cleaners door-to-door,{{sfn|Dingus|1992|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=ZysEAAAAMBAJ|77|page=77}} 77]}} and eventually became a sales manager for the ''[[Encyclopedia Americana]]''.{{sfn|Myers|1969|p=5}}

After his son Billy was born in 1958, the family moved to [[Houston]], Texas. On the way, Nelson stopped by the [[Esquire Ballroom]] to sell his original songs to house band singer [[Larry Butler (producer)|Larry Butler]]. Butler refused to purchase the song "[[Mr. Record Man]]" for $10, instead giving Nelson a $50 loan to rent an apartment and a six-night job singing in the club.{{sfn|Nelson|Shrake|Shrake|2000|p=116, 117}} Nelson rented the apartment near Houston in [[Pasadena, Texas]], where he also worked at the radio station as the sign-on disc jockey. During this time, he recorded two singles for [[Pappy Daily]] on [[D Records]]{{sfn|Smith|2013}} "[[Man With the Blues]]"/"The Storm Has Just Begun" and "[[What a Way to Live (song)|What a Way to Live]]"/"Misery Mansion".{{sfn|Nelson|Shrake|Shrake|2000|p=117}} Nelson then was hired by guitar instructor Paul Buskirk to work as an instructor in his school. He sold "[[Family Bible (song)|Family Bible]]" to Buskirk for $50 and "[[Night Life (Willie Nelson song)|Night Life]]" for $150.{{sfn|Nelson|Shrake|Shrake|2000|p=118}} "Family Bible" turned into a hit for [[Claude Gray]] in 1960.{{sfn|Patoski|p=102|2008}}

{{Listen |type=music |filename=Hello Walls.ogg|title="Hello Walls" |description=Written by Willie Nelson, "Hello Walls", was a hit for Faron Young in 1961, and the song that gave Nelson national recognition as a songwriter. He recorded the song for his debut album ''...&nbsp;And Then I Wrote''.}}

Nelson moved to [[Nashville, Tennessee]], in 1960, but was unable to find a label to sign him. During this period he often spent time at [[Tootsie's Orchid Lounge]], a bar near the Grand Ole Opry frequented by the show's stars and other singers and songwriters.{{sfn|Richmond|2000|p=36}} There Nelson met [[Hank Cochran]], a songwriter who worked for the publishing company Pamper Music, owned by Ray Price and Hal Smith. Cochran heard Nelson during a jam session with [[Buddy Emmons]] and Jimmy Day. Cochran had just earned a raise of $50 a week, but convinced Smith to pay Nelson the money instead to sign him to Pamper Music. On hearing Nelson sing "Hello Walls" at Tootsie's, [[Faron Young]] decided to record it.{{sfn|Kosser|2006|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=DL6gHNXWToQC|page=73}} 73]}} After Ray Price recorded Nelson's "Night Life", and his previous bassist [[Johnny Paycheck]] quit, Nelson joined Price's touring band as a bass player. While playing with Price and the [[Cherokee Cowboys]], his songs became hits for other artists, including "[[Funny How Time Slips Away]]" ([[Billy Walker (singer)|Billy Walker]]), "[[Pretty Paper (song)|Pretty Paper]]" ([[Roy Orbison]]), and, most famously, "[[Crazy (Willie Nelson song)|Crazy]]" by [[Patsy Cline]].{{sfn|Erlewine|1997|p=324}} Nelson and Cochran also met Cline's husband, [[Charlie Dick]] at Tootsie's. Dick liked a song of Nelson's he heard on the bar's jukebox. Nelson played him a demo tape of "Crazy". Later that night Dick played the tape for Cline, who decided to record it.{{sfn|Patoski|2008|p=6}} "Crazy" became the biggest [[jukebox]] hit of all time.{{sfn|NPR staff|1996}}

[[File:Willie Nelson Grand Ole Opry publicity - cropped.jpg|upright|thumb|Nelson performing on a [[Grand Ole Opry]] package show in 1965]]
Nelson signed with [[Liberty Records]] and was recording by August 1961 at the [[Bradley Studios]] in Nashville. His first two successful singles as an artist were released by the next year, including "[[Willingly]]" (a duet with his soon-to-be second wife, [[Shirley Collie Nelson|Shirley Collie]], which became his first charting single and first Top Ten at No.&nbsp;10) and "[[Touch Me (Willie Nelson song)|Touch Me]]" (his second Top Ten, stalling at No.&nbsp;7).{{sfn|Edwards|Callahan|2001}} Nelson's tenure at Liberty yielded his first album entitled ''[[...And Then I Wrote]]'', released in September 1962.{{sfn|Bush|Mitchell|2007|p=79}} In 1963 Collie and Nelson were married in [[Las Vegas]]. He then worked on the west coast offices of Pamper Records, in [[Pico Rivera, California]]. Since the job did not allow him the time to play music of his own, he left it and bought a ranch in [[Ridgetop, Tennessee]], outside of Nashville.{{sfn|Myers|1969|p=5}} [[Fred Foster]] of [[Monument Records]] signed Nelson in early 1964, but only one single was released: "I Never Cared For You".{{sfn|Scobey|p=190|1982}}

By the fall of 1964, Nelson had moved to [[RCA Victor]] at the behest of [[Chet Atkins]], signing a contract for $10,000 per year.{{sfn|Reid|2004|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=qCDF5fFuBT8C|224|page=224}} 224]}} ''[[Country Willie – His Own Songs]]'' became Nelson's first RCA Victor album, recorded in April 1965. That same year he joined the [[Grand Ole Opry]],{{sfn|Patoski|p=Nashville, 1960|2008|}} and he met and became friends with [[Waylon Jennings]] after watching one of his shows in [[Phoenix, Arizona]].{{sfn|Nelson|Shrake|Shrake|2000|p=158}} In 1967, he formed his backing band "The Record Men", featuring Johnny Bush, [[Jimmy Day]], [[Paul English (drummer)|Paul English]] and David Zettner.{{sfn|Bush|Mitchell|2007|pp=137–138}} During his first few years on RCA Victor, Nelson had no significant hits, but from November 1966 through March 1969, his singles reached the Top 25 in a consistent manner. "One in a Row" (#19, 1966), "The Party's Over" (#24 during a 16-week chart run in 1967), and his cover of [[Morecambe & Wise]]'s "Bring Me Sunshine" (#13, March 1969) were Nelson's best-selling records during his time with RCA.{{sfn|Dicair|2007|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=MYMQl9dsKJEC|page=246}} 246]}}

By 1970, most of Nelson's songwriting royalties were invested in tours that did not produce significant profits. In addition to the problems in his career, Nelson divorced Shirley Collie in 1970. In December, his ranch in Ridgetop, Tennessee, burned down. He interpreted the incident as a signal for a change. He moved to a ranch near [[Bandera, Texas]], and married Connie Koepke. In early 1971 his single "I'm a Memory" reached the top 30.{{sfn|Kienzle|2003|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=Gq2TTa6TStkC|page=248}} 248]}} After he recorded his final RCA single, "Mountain Dew" (backed with "Phases, Stages, Circles, Cycles and Scenes"), in late April 1972, RCA requested that Nelson renew his contract ahead of schedule, with the implication that RCA would not release his latest recordings if he did not.{{sfn|Reid|2004|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=qCDF5fFuBT8C|page=223}} 223]}} Due to the failure of his albums, and particularly frustrated by the reception of ''[[Yesterday's Wine]]'', although his contract was not over, Nelson decided to retire from music.{{sfn|Nelson|Shrake|Shrake|2000|p=167}}

===Outlaw country and success (1972–1989)===
Nelson moved to [[Austin, Texas]], where the burgeoning hippie music scene (see [[Armadillo World Headquarters]]) rejuvenated the singer. His popularity in Austin soared as he played his own brand of country music marked by country, folk and jazz influences.{{sfn|Reid|Sahm|2010|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=1gry61absiEC|page=79}} 79]}} In March, he performed on the final day of the ''Dripping Springs Reunion'', a three-day country music festival aimed by its producers to be an annual event. Despite the failure to reach the expected attendance, the concept of the festival inspired Nelson to create the ''[[Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic|Fourth of July Picnic]]'', his own annual event, starting the following year.{{sfn|Thomas|2012}}

Nelson decided to return to the recording business; he signed Neil Reshen as his manager to negotiate with RCA, who got the label to agree to end his contract upon repayment of $14,000.{{sfn|Reid|2004|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=qCDF5fFuBT8C|page=223}} 223]}} Reshen eventually signed Nelson to [[Atlantic Records]] for $25,000 per year, where he became the label's first country artist.{{sfn|Reid|2004|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=qCDF5fFuBT8C|224|page=224}}]}} He formed his backing band, ''[[Family (Willie Nelson's band)|The Family]]'',{{sfn|Milner|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=zeslYkOZIvUC|page=183}} 183], [{{google books|plainurl=y|id=zeslYkOZIvUC|184|page=184}} 184]|1998}} and, by February 1973, he was recording his acclaimed ''[[Shotgun Willie]]'' at Atlantic Studios in New York City.{{sfn|Harden|Hoekstra|McCall|Morris|1996|p=169}}

{{Listen
| type         = music
| filename     = Shotgun Willie.ogg
| title        = "Shotgun Willie introduction"
| description  = Introduction of the song "Shotgun Willie", opening track of the album ''[[Shotgun Willie]]'', that marked a change of style from Nelson's earlier recordings.
}}

''Shotgun Willie'', released in May 1973, earned excellent reviews but did not sell well. The album led Nelson to a new style, later stating that ''Shotgun Willie'' had "cleared his throat".{{sfn|Tichi|1998|p=341}} His next release, ''[[Phases and Stages]]'', released in 1974, was a concept album about a couple's divorce, inspired by his own experience. Side one of the record is from the viewpoint of the woman, and side two is from the viewpoint of the man.{{sfn|Erlewine|2007}} The album included the hit single "[[Bloody Mary Morning]]".{{sfn|Dicair|2007|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=MYMQl9dsKJEC|page=247}} 247]}} The same year, he produced and starred in the pilot episode of [[PBS]]' ''[[Austin City Limits]]''.{{sfn|Richmond|2000|p=75}}

Nelson then moved to [[Columbia Records]], where he signed a contract that gave him complete creative control, made possible by the critical and commercial success of his previous albums.{{sfn|Dicair|2007|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=MYMQl9dsKJEC|247|page=247}} 247]}} The result was the critically acclaimed and massively popular 1975 concept album ''[[Red Headed Stranger]]''. Although Columbia was reluctant to release an album with primarily a guitar and piano for accompaniment, Nelson and Waylon Jennings insisted. The album included a cover of [[Fred Rose (songwriter)|Fred Rose]]'s 1945 song "[[Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain]]", that had been released as a single previous to the album, and became Nelson's first number one hit as a singer.{{sfn|Wolff|Duane|2000|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=3Jorozp1yp4C|page=367}} 367]}} Throughout his 1975 tour, Nelson raised funds for PBS-affiliated stations across the south promoting ''Austin City Limits''. The pilot was aired first on those stations, later being released nationwide. The positive reception of the show prompted PBS to order ten episodes for 1976, formally launching the show.{{sfn|Richmond|2000|p=76}}

[[Image:Kris Willie Waylon.jpg|thumb|left|L–R: [[Kris Kristofferson]], Nelson, and [[Waylon Jennings]] at the 1972 ''[[Dripping Springs Reunion]]''|alt=Three men. From left to right, the first man has brown hair and beard. He wears a blue T-shirt and a white jacket and is looking at the man in the middle. The man in the middle wears a green cap and shades, and long red hair. He wears a brown T-shirt. The man at the right has brown hair, he looks at the man at the middle. He wears a white shirt and a black letter jacket.]]

As Jennings was also achieving success in country music in the early 1970s, the pair were combined into a genre called [[outlaw country]], since it did not conform to Nashville standards.{{sfn|Hartman|2008|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=d3vlqWvTDfgC|174|page=174}} 174]}} The album ''[[Wanted! The Outlaws]]'' in 1976 with [[Jessi Colter]] and [[Tompall Glaser]] cemented the pair's outlaw image and became country music's first [[Music recording certification|platinum album]].{{sfn|Hartman||2008|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=d3vlqWvTDfgC|175|page=175}} 175]}} Later that year Nelson released ''[[The Sound in Your Mind]]'' (certified gold in 1978 and platinum in 2001){{sfn|RIAA staff|2010}} and his first gospel album ''[[The Troublemaker (album)|Troublemaker]]''{{sfn|Erlewine|2008}} (certified gold in 1986).{{sfn|RIAA staff 2|2010}}

In the summer of 1977, Nelson discovered that Reshen had been filing tax extensions and not paying the [[Internal Revenue Service]] (IRS) since he took over as his manager.{{sfn|Nelson|Ritz|2015|p=263}} In June, a package containing cocaine was sent from Reshen's office in New York to Jennings in Nashville.{{sfn|Nelson|Ritz|2015|p=262}} The package was followed by the [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]], and Jennings was arrested. The charges were later dropped, since Reshen's assistant, Mark Rothbaum, stepped in and took the charges. Rothbaum was sentenced to serve time in jail. Impressed by his attitude, Nelson fired Reshen and hired Rothbaum as his manager.{{sfn|Nelson|Ritz|2015|p=263}} In 1978, Nelson released two more platinum albums. One, ''[[Waylon & Willie]]'', was a collaboration with Jennings that included "[[Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys]]", a hit single written and performed by [[Ed Bruce]].{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|p=10|1996}} Though observers predicted that ''[[Stardust (Willie Nelson album)|Stardust]]'' would ruin his career, it went platinum the same year.{{sfn|RIAA staff 3|2010}} Nelson continued to top the charts with hit songs during the late 1970s, including "[[Good Hearted Woman (song)|Good Hearted Woman]]", "Remember Me",{{sfn|Billboard|1976}} "[[If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time]]", and "[[Uncloudy Day]]".{{sfn|Tribe|2006|p=188}}

{{Listen
| type         = music
| filename     = On the Road Again.ogg
| title        = "On the Road Again"
| description  = From the album ''Honeysuckle Rose'', "On the Road Again" peaked at number one on the [[Hot Country Songs]] chart in 1980.
}}

During the 1980s, Nelson recorded a series of hit singles including "[[Midnight Rider]]", a 1980 cover of the [[Allman Brothers]] song which Nelson recorded for ''[[The Electric Horseman]]'',{{sfn|Harrison, Thomas|2011|p=96}} the soundtrack "[[On the Road Again (Willie Nelson song)|On the Road Again]]" from the movie ''[[Honeysuckle Rose (film)|Honeysuckle Rose]]'', and a duet with [[Julio Iglesias]] titled "[[To All the Girls I've Loved Before]]".{{sfn|Jurek|2008}}

[[File:President Jimmy Carter with Willie Nelson and his guests.jpg|thumb|right|Nelson and guests with President [[Jimmy Carter]] in 1978]]
In 1982, ''[[Pancho & Lefty (album)|Pancho & Lefty]]'', a duet album with [[Merle Haggard]] produced by [[Chips Moman]], was released.{{sfn|Monkman|2008}} During the recording sessions of ''Pancho & Lefty'', Johnny Christopher, a session guitarist and the co-writer of "[[Always on My Mind]]", tried to pitch the song to an uninterested Haggard. Nelson, who was unaware of [[Elvis Presley]]'s version of the song, asked him to record it. Produced by Moman, the single of the song was released, as well as the album [[Always on My Mind (Willie Nelson album)|''Always on My Mind'']]. The single topped ''Billboard''{{'}}s Hot Country Singles, while it reached number five on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The release won three awards during the [[25th Annual Grammy Awards]]: [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]], [[Grammy Award for Best Country Song|Best Country Song]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance|Best Male Country Vocal Performance]]. The single was certified platinum, while the album was certified quadruple-platinum and later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.{{sfn|Poe|p=147|2012}}

Meanwhile, two collaborations with Waylon Jennings were released: ''[[WWII (album)|WWII]]'' in 1982,{{sfn|Erlewine|2005}} and ''[[Take It to the Limit (Willie Nelson album)|Take it to the Limit]]'' in 1983. In the mid-1980s, Nelson, Jennings, Kristofferson, and [[Johnny Cash]] formed [[The Highwaymen (country supergroup)|The Highwaymen]], a supergroup who achieved platinum record sales and toured the world.{{sfn|Patoski|2008|p=383}} Meanwhile, Nelson became more involved with charity work, such as singing on "[[We Are the World]]" in 1984.{{sfn|Edwards|2015}} In 1985, Nelson had another success with ''[[Half Nelson (Willie Nelson album)|Half Nelson]]'', a compilation album of duets with a range of artists such as [[Ray Charles]] and [[Neil Young]].{{sfn|Patoski|2008|p=368}} In 1980, Nelson performed on the south lawn of the [[White House]]. The concert of September&nbsp;13 featured First Lady [[Rosalynn Carter]] and Nelson in a duet of [[Ray Wylie Hubbard]]'s "Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother". Nelson frequently visited the White House, where, according to the biography by Joe Nick Patoski, ''Willie Nelson: An Epic Life'', he smoked marijuana on the White House roof.{{sfn|Patoski|p=342|2008}}

=== Later career (1990s–2000s) ===
In 1996, Nelson re-recorded the tracks "[[Hello Walls]]" with the band [[the Reverend Horton Heat]], and "[[Bloody Mary Morning]]" with the [[Supersuckers]], for 
<!-- Note:  This anchor is for a redirect from [[Twisted Willie]] --> 
{{anchor|Twisted_Willie}}
''Twisted Willie'', a tribute album featuring rock versions of Nelson's songs performed by artists such as [[Johnny Cash]], [[Kris Kristofferson]], [[Jerry Cantrell]], [[Mark Lanegan]], [[L7 (band)|L7]], [[The Presidents of the United States of America (band)|the Presidents of the United States of America]], and [[Jello Biafra]], among others.{{sfn|Hochman|1996}} Proceeds from the sale of the record went to Nelson's Farm Aid.<ref>Liner notes, ''Twisted Willie''. Justice Records. 1996.</ref>

[[File:President Bill Clinton greets Willie Nelson.jpg|thumb|Nelson with President [[Bill Clinton]] in 1993|left]]

During the 1990s and 2000s, Nelson toured continuously, recording several albums including 1998's critically acclaimed ''[[Teatro (Willie Nelson album)|Teatro]]'',{{sfn|Patoski|2008|p=430}} and performed and recorded with other acts including [[Phish]],{{sfn|Farm Aid Staff|2011}} Johnny Cash,{{sfn|Erlewine|2000}} and [[Toby Keith]]. His duet with Keith, "[[Beer for My Horses]]", was released as a single and topped the ''[[Billboard magazine|Billboard]]'' Hot Country Songs charts for six consecutive weeks in 2003,{{sfn|BMI staff|2003}} while the accompanying video won an award for "Best Video" at the 2004 [[Academy of Country Music]] Awards.{{sfn|Biography staff|2011}} A [[USA Network]] television special celebrated Nelson's 70th birthday,{{sfn|Pareles|2003}} and Nelson released ''[[The Essential Willie Nelson]]'' as part of the celebration. Nelson also appeared on [[Ringo Starr]]'s 2003 album, ''[[Ringo Rama]]'', as a guest vocal on "Write One for Me".{{sfn|Entertainment One staff|2003}}

Nelson was featured on the album [[True Love (Toots & the Maytals album)|''True Love'']] by [[Toots and the Maytals]], which won the [[Grammy Award]] in 2004 for Best Reggae Album, and showcased many notable musicians including [[Eric Clapton]], [[Jeff Beck]], [[Trey Anastasio]], [[Gwen Stefani]], and [[Keith Richards]].{{sfn|Toots and the Maytals|2016}} In the following year of 2005, Nelson released a [[reggae]] album entitled ''[[Countryman (album)|Countryman]]'' which featured [[Toots Hibbert]] of [[Toots and the Maytals]] on the song "I'm a Worried Man".{{sfn|Deusner|2005}}

Nelson headlined the 2005 Tsunami Relief Austin to Asia concert to benefit the victims of the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]], which raised an estimated $75,000 for UNICEF.{{sfn|BBC News staff|2005}} Also in 2005, a live performance of the Johnny Cash song "[[Busted (Johnny Cash song)|Busted]]" with Ray Charles was released on Charles' duets album ''[[Genius & Friends]]''. Nelson's 2007 performance with jazz trumpeter [[Wynton Marsalis]] at the [[Lincoln Center]], was released as the live album ''[[Two Men with the Blues]]'' in 2008; reaching number one in ''Billboard''{{'}}s Top Jazz Albums and number twenty on the ''Billboard'' 200.{{sfn|Nelson|Ritz|2015|p=360}} The same year, Nelson recorded his first album with [[Buddy Cannon]] as the producer, ''[[Moment of Forever]]''. Cannon acquainted Nelson earlier, during the production of his collaboration with [[Kenny Chesney]] on the duet "[[That Lucky Old Sun]]", for Chesney's album ''[[Lucky Old Sun]]''.{{sfn|Cooper|2014}} In 2009 Nelson and Marsalis joined with Norah Jones in a tribute concert to Ray Charles, which resulted in the ''[[Here We Go Again: Celebrating the Genius of Ray Charles]]'' album, released in 2011.{{sfn|Willie Nelson.com staff|2011}}

===2010s===

In 2010, Nelson released ''[[Country Music (Willie Nelson album)|Country Music]]'', a compilation of standards produced by [[T-Bone Burnett]].{{sfn|Evans-Price|2010}} The album peaked at number four in ''Billboard''{{'}}s Top Country Albums, and twenty on the ''Billboard'' 200.{{sfn|Erlewine|2010}} It was nominated for Best Americana Album at the [[53rd Annual Grammy Awards|2011 Grammy Awards]].{{sfn|CBS Music staff|2011}} In 2011 Nelson participated in the concert ''Kokua For Japan'', a fund raising event for the victims of the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]] in Japan which raised $1.6&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Sugimoto|2011}}

In February 2012, [[Legacy Recordings]] signed a deal with Nelson that included the release of new material, as well as past releases that would be selected and complemented with outtakes and other material selected by him.{{sfn|Willie Nelson.com staff|2012}} With the new deal, Buddy Cannon returned to produce the recordings of Nelson. After selecting the material and the sound of the tunes with the singer, Cannon's work method consisted in the recording of the tracks with studio musicians, with the takes later completed on a separate session by Nelson with his guitar. Cannon's association to Nelson also extended to songwriting, with singer and producer composing the lyrics by exchanging text messages.{{sfn|Cooper|2014}}

Nelson's first release for the Legacy Recordings was ''[[Heroes (Willie Nelson album)|Heroes]]'', that included guest appearances by his sons [[Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real|Lukas]] and Micah of the band [[Insects vs Robots]], Ray Price, Merle Haggard, [[Snoop Dogg]], Kris Kristofferson, [[Jamey Johnson]], [[Billy Joe Shaver]] and [[Sheryl Crow]]. The album reached number four on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'}}s [[Billboard charts|Top Country Albums]].{{sfn|Billboard staff|2012}} His 2013 release ''[[To All the Girls...]]'', a collection of duets with all female partners, featured among others [[Dolly Parton]], [[Loretta Lynn]], [[Rosanne Cash]], Sheryl Crow, [[Mavis Staples]], Norah Jones, [[Emmylou Harris]], [[Carrie Underwood]] and [[Miranda Lambert]].{{sfn|Vinson|2013}} The album entered ''Billboard''{{'}}s Top Country Albums at number two, marking his highest position on the chart since the release of his 1989 ''A Horse Called Music'', and extending his record to a total of forty-six top ten albums on the country charts. Nelson scored as well his second top ten album on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], with the release entering at number nine.{{sfn|Jessen|2013}}

[[File:Willie Nelson, Fort Wayne, Indiana (June 27, 2018) - Pamela Smith 06.jpg|thumb|Nelson performing in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 2018]]
Nelson's following release was ''[[Band of Brothers (Willie Nelson album)|Band of Brothers]]'', in 2014, the first Nelson album to feature the most newly self-penned songs since 1996's ''[[Spirit (Willie Nelson album)|Spirit]]''. Upon its release, it topped ''Billboard''{{'}}s Top Country albums chart, the first time since 1986's ''[[The Promiseland]]'', the last Nelson album to top it. The release reached number five on the ''Billboard'' 200, Nelson's highest position on the chart since 1982's ''Always on My Mind''.{{sfn|Leahey|2014}} In December 2014, a duet with [[Rhonda Vincent]], "Only Me", topped ''[[Bluegrass Unlimited]]'s'' National Airplay chart.{{sfn|Holden|2014}} In June 2015, his collaboration with Haggard ''[[Django and Jimmie]]'' topped ''Billboard''{{'}}s Top Country albums chart and reached number seven on the ''Billboard'' 200.

In 2017, Nelson released ''[[God's Problem Child]]''. The release, consisting mostly of Nelson originals co-written with Cannon, entered the Top country albums at number one, while it reached number ten on the ''Billboard'' 200.{{sfn|Asker|2017}}

In 2018, Nelson sang a song written by [[Daniel Lanois]] called "Cruel World" for the [[Music of Red Dead Redemption 2|soundtrack]] of [[Rockstar Games]]'s action-adventure video game ''[[Red Dead Redemption 2]]''.{{sfn|Daly|2018}} Lanois wrote the song especially for Nelson. When a hurricane prevented Nelson from recording the song, the production team sent the track to [[Josh Homme]] in the hopes that he could record it in time for the game's release. Nelson was ultimately able to record the song in time in Los Angeles;{{sfn|Shanley|2019}} the team considered combining the two versions into a duet, but ultimately included both versions in the game.{{sfn|Lanois|2019}} Also in 2018, Nelson was one of several artists on ''[[Revamp & Restoration|Restoration]]'', a cover album containing various country renditions of songs originally by [[Elton John]], on which he performed "[[Border Song]]".{{sfn|Brickey|2018}} His 2019 release ''[[Ride Me Back Home]]'' charted at number two on the ''Billboard'' Top Country Albums chart.{{sfn|Asker|2019}} For the title-track, Nelson received the [[Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance]].{{sfn|Kroll|2020}}

===2020s===
Following the [[2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States#Lockdowns|U.S. coronavirus pandemic lockdowns]] that began in March 2020, Nelson [[Livestreaming|livestreamed]] a series of [[benefit concert]]s. The first two raised $700,000 for people who had suffered financial loss due to effects on the U.S. economy.{{sfn|Margolis|2020}} The third, which was held on April&nbsp;20, 2020, was a variety show titled ''[[Come and Toke It]]''.{{sfn|France|2020}} Some of the content was [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]]-themed, and some of the proceeds will be used to support The Last Prisoner Project, a [[restorative justice]] program relating to persons convicted of cannabis-related crimes.{{sfn|Rosenthal|2020}}{{sfn|Willman|2020}}{{sfn|Kreps|2020}} The same year, Nelson was approached by [[Karen O]] of [[The Yeah Yeah Yeahs]] to collaborate. They chose to perform [[David Bowie]] and [[Queen (band)|Queen]]'s "[[Under Pressure]]."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Hear Karen O and Willie Nelson's Transformative Cover of Queen and David Bowie's 'Under Pressure' |date=October 28, 2020 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531030815/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/karen-o-willie-nelson-queen-david-bowie-cover-under-pressure-1082748/ |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |url-status=live |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/karen-o-willie-nelson-queen-david-bowie-cover-under-pressure-1082748/}}</ref>

For his releases of ''[[The Willie Nelson Family]]'' (2021) and ''[[A Beautiful Time]]'' (2022), Nelson received four nominations for the [[65th Annual Grammy Awards]], winning in two categories: Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Album.{{sfn|Cummings, Tommy|2022}}{{sfn|Farias, Robbie|2023}} In December 2022, Mark Rothbaum announced a five-part documentary entitled ''Willie Nelson and Family''; it was released at the 2023 [[Sundance Film Festival]].{{sfn|Cummings, Tommy|2022}} In 2023, Nelson performed at two concerts at the [[Hollywood Bowl]] celebrating his 90th birthday<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Willie Nelson's 90th Birthday Concert: Weed, Well Wishes and Tons of Songs |date=April 30, 2023 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/willie-nelson-90-birthday-concert-review-set-list-1234725569/}}</ref> and was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].{{sfn|RockHall|2023}}

In 2024, Nelson was featured in the "Smoke Hour ★ Willie Nelson" and "Smoke Hour II" interludes of [[Beyoncé]]'s ''[[Cowboy Carter]]'' album, the second album in her [[Beyoncé discography|trilogy project]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=March 28, 2024 |title=Beyoncé's ''Cowboy Carter'' Features a Beatles Cover, Miley Cyrus, and Post Malone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/beyonces-cowboy-carter-miley-cyrus-post-malone-beatles-blackbird-1234995871/ |access-date=March 29, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> With the death of [[Kris Kristofferson]] in September 2024, Nelson became the last surviving member of [[The Highwaymen (country supergroup)| The Highwaymen]].

==Other ventures==
Nelson's acting debut was in the 1979 film ''The Electric Horseman'', followed by appearances in ''[[Honeysuckle Rose (film)|Honeysuckle Rose]]'', ''[[Thief (film)|Thief]]'', and ''[[Barbarosa]]''. He played the role of Red Loon in ''[[Coming Out of the Ice]]'' in 1982 and starred in ''Songwriter'' two years later. He portrayed the lead role in the 1986 film version of his album ''Red Headed Stranger''.{{sfn|Allmovie staff|2011}} Other movies that Nelson acted in include ''[[Wag the Dog]]'', ''[[Gone Fishin' (film)|Gone Fishin']]'' (as Billy 'Catch' Pooler), the 1986 television movie ''[[Stagecoach (TV film)|Stagecoach]]'' (with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson), ''[[Half Baked]]'', ''[[Beerfest]]'', ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard (film)|The Dukes of Hazzard]]'', ''[[Surfer, Dude]]'' and ''[[Swing Vote (2008 film)|Swing Vote]]''. He has also made guest appearances on ''[[Miami Vice]]'' (1986's "El Viejo" episode); ''[[Delta (American TV series)|Delta]]''; ''[[Nash Bridges]]''; ''[[The Simpsons]]''; ''[[Monk (TV series)|Monk]]''; ''[[Adventures in Wonderland (1992 TV series)|Adventures in Wonderland]]''; ''[[Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman]]''; ''[[King of the Hill (TV series)|King of the Hill]]''; ''[[The Colbert Report]]''; ''[[Swing Vote]]''; and ''[[Space Ghost Coast to Coast]]''.{{sfn|Yahoo! Movies staff|2011}}

[[Image:Willie's Place near Hillsboro, TX IMG 4050.JPG|right|thumb|In 2008, Nelson reopened the truck stop [[Willie's Place]] near [[Hillsboro, Texas]]|alt=A store with a sign that reads "Willie's Place". The apostrophe is replaced in the sign by a bullet hole. The structure of the store is constructed in wooden with three columns. There are four windows and there are a red and a grey car in the parking lot.]]
In 1988 his first book, ''[[Willie: An Autobiography]]'', was published.{{sfn|Nelson|Shrake|Shrake|2000}} ''[[The Facts of Life: And Other Dirty Jokes]]'', a personal recollection of tour and musical stories from his career, combined with song lyrics, followed in 2002. In 2005 he co-authored ''Farm Aid: A Song for America'', a commemorative book about the twentieth anniversary of the foundation of Farm Aid.{{sfn|George-Warren|Hoekstra|2005}} His third book, co-authored with long-time friend [[Turk Pipkin]], ''The Tao of Willie: A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart'', was published in 2006.{{sfn|NPR staff|2010}} In 2007 a book advocating the use of bio-diesel and the reduction of gas emissions, ''On the Clean Road Again: Biodiesel and the Future of the Family Farm'', was published.{{sfn|Nelson|2007a|p=29}} His next book, ''A Tale Out of Luck'', published in 2008 and co-authored by Mike Blakely, was Nelson's first fictional book.{{sfn|Nelson|2008}} In 2012, a new autobiography by Nelson, ''[[Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings from the Road]]'', was announced. Released on November&nbsp;13, it was named after the song from his album ''Heroes''. The book contained further biographical details, as well as family pictures and stories about Nelson's political views, as well as his marijuana advocacy. The artwork of the book was designed by Nelson's son, Micah, and the foreword written by Kinky Friedman.{{sfn|Whitaker|2012}} A second Nelson autobiography, ''[[It's a Long Story: My Life]]'' co-authored with [[David Ritz]], was published on May&nbsp;5, 2015.{{sfn|Hachette staff|2015}} ''[[Pretty Paper (book)|Pretty Paper]]'', another collaboration with Ritz, was published the following year.{{sfn|Nelson|Ritz|2016}}

In 2002, Nelson became the official spokesman of the [[Texas Roadhouse]], a chain of steakhouses. Nelson heavily promoted the chain and appeared on a special on [[Food Network]]. The chain installed ''Willie's Corner'', a section dedicated to him and decked out with Willie memorabilia, at several locations.{{sfn|Carey|2003}} In 2004, Nelson and his wife Annie became partners with Bob and Kelly King in the building of two Pacific bio-diesel plants, one in [[Salem, Oregon]], and the other at Carl's Corner, Texas (the Texas plant was founded by Carl Cornelius, a longtime Nelson friend and the eponym for Carl's Corner). In 2005, Nelson and several other business partners formed [[Willie Nelson Biodiesel]] ("Bio-Willie"), a company that markets biodiesel bio-fuel to truck stops.{{sfn|SmithTaylor|2008|p=173}} The fuel is made from vegetable oil (mainly soybean oil) and can be burned without modification in [[diesel engine]]s.{{sfn|Associated Press staff|2005}} Nelson registered his company with Earth Biofuels and he became a board member. In 2007, Nelson forfeited six million shares of the company as he left the board.{{sfn|Brick, Michael|2014}} By 2008, he reopened [[Willie's Place]], a truck stop in [[Carl's Corner, Texas]]. The [[U.S. Bankruptcy Court]] allowed Nelson to invest in it. The establishment had about 80 employees,{{sfn|Dunn|2011}} and was used as a concert hall with a bar and a {{convert|1000|sqft}} dance floor.{{sfn|Willie's Place staff|2010}} Willie's Place also featured BioWillie pumps. At the time, the government of the United States offered a one dollar tax credit to producers of biodiesel. As the competition grew, the tax credit was discontinued while the prices of fossil fuels continued to drop. Nelson and his partners defaulted the $4.75&nbsp;million loan they took for the construction of Willie's Place. Nelson then paid $35,000 back, while a judge later rejected the request of his creditors to receive more money from him. [[TravelCenters of America]] bought Willie's Place during its foreclosure in 2011. The BioWillie plant was then put on the market for sale. Nelson kept the trademark for BioWillie, which is sold on the islands of Maui and Hawaii. Meanwhile, Nelson owns shares of Big Island Biodiesel in Hawaii and SeQuential-Pacific Biodiesel in Oregon.{{sfn|Brick, Michael|2014}}

In 2010, Nelson founded, with the collaboration of producers and filmmakers [[Luck Films]], a company dedicated to producing feature films, documentaries, and concerts.{{sfn|Chagollan|2010}} The next year, he created the [[Willie's Roadhouse]] show which aired on channel 56 of [[SiriusXM]] radio. The channel was a result of the merger of his two other channels ''The Roadhouse'' and ''Willie's Place''.{{sfn|Opry.com staff|2011}} In November 2014, it was announced that Nelson would be the host of the television series ''Inside Arlyn'', shot at Arlyn Studio in Austin, Texas. The thirteen-episode first season would feature artists being interviewed by Nelson and [[Dan Rather]], followed by a performance. The series concept received attention from cable channels that requested to see the pilot episode.{{sfn|Swiatecki|2014}} Following the legalization of marijuana in different states, Nelson announced in 2015 through spokesman Michael Bowman the establishment of his own marijuana brand, [[Willie's Reserve]]. Plans to open chain stores in the states where marijuana was legalized were announced, to be expanded state-to-state if marijuana legalization further expanded. Bowman called the brand "a culmination of (Nelson's) vision, and his whole life".{{sfn|Guardian Music staff|2015}}

In 2017, Nelson appeared as himself in [[Woody Harrelson]]'s live film, ''[[Lost in London]]''.{{sfn|Lodderhose|2016}} In June 2017, he appeared alongside Merle Haggard in the documentary ''[[The American Epic Sessions]]'' directed by [[Bernard MacMahon (filmmaker)|Bernard MacMahon]]. They performed a song Haggard had composed for the film, "The Only Man Wilder Than Me",{{sfn|Solomon|2017}}{{sfn|Hautzinger|2017}} and [[Bob Wills]]'s classic "Old Fashioned Love",{{sfn|Hautzinger|2017}} which they recorded live direct to disc on the first [[History of sound recording#The electrical era (1925 to 1945) (including sound on film)|electrical sound recording]] system from the 1920s.{{sfn|Locke|2017}} It was the last filmed performance of the pair. ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' commented that "in the final performance of Sessions, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard perform the duet 'The Only Man Wilder Than Me.' Haggard has a look of complete joy on his face throughout the session in the old-timey recording setup once used by his musical heroes."{{sfn|Appleford|2017}}

==Musical style==
Nelson uses a variety of music styles to create his own distinctive blend of country music, a hybrid of jazz, pop, blues, rock and folk.{{sfn|Erlewine|2015}} His style incorporates a "relaxed, behind-the-beat singing style and gut-string guitar."{{sfn|Encyclopædia Britannica staff|2011}} His "nasal voice and jazzy, off-center phrasing"{{sfn|Erlewine|2015}} has been responsible for his wide appeal, and has made him a "vital icon in country music", influencing the "[[Country music|new country]], [[Neotraditional country|new traditionalist]], and [[alternative country]] movements of the 1980s and 1990s".{{sfn|Erlewine|2015}}

===Guitars===
{{Main|Trigger (guitar)}}

[[File:Trigger-Willie Nelson.jpg|thumb|left|Nelson's guitar, Trigger, has been signed by several of Nelson's friends|alt=A classical guitar. There are several damages in the soundboard, near the sound hole there is a big hole and the wood is worn out in the surrounding areas of it. The guitar has several signatures on it. there is a blue and white strap in the soundhole.]]

In 1969, the Baldwin company gave Nelson an amplifier and guitar with their "Prismatone" [[Pickup (music technology)|pickup]]. During a show in [[Helotes, Texas]], Nelson left the guitar on the floor of the stage, and it was later stepped on by a drunk man.{{sfn|Nelson|2005}}
He sent it to be repaired in Nashville by [[Shot Jackson]], who told Nelson that the damage was too great. Jackson offered him a [[C. F. Martin & Company|Martin]] N-20 [[classical guitar]], and, at Nelson's request, moved the pickup to the Martin. Nelson purchased the guitar unseen for $750 and named it after [[Roy Rogers]]' horse [[Trigger (horse)|"Trigger"]].{{sfn|Willie Nelson General Store staff|2010}} The next year Nelson rescued the guitar from his burning ranch.{{sfn|Reinert|1976|p=103}}{{sfn|Draper|1991|p=103}}

Constant strumming with a [[guitar pick]] over the decades has worn a large sweeping hole into the guitar's body near the sound hole—the N-20 has no [[pickguard]] since classical guitars are meant to be played fingerstyle instead of with picks.{{sfn|NPR staff|1996}} Its soundboard has been signed by over a hundred of Nelson's friends and associates, ranging from fellow musicians to lawyers and football coaches.{{sfn|Willie Nelson General Store staff|2010}} The first signature on the guitar was [[Leon Russell]]'s, who asked Nelson initially to sign his guitar. When Nelson was about to sign it with a marker, Russell requested him to scratch it instead, explaining that the guitar would be more valuable in the future. Interested in the concept, Nelson requested Russell to also sign his guitar.{{sfn|Nelson|2005}} In 1991, during his process with the IRS, Nelson was worried that Trigger could be auctioned off, stating: "When Trigger goes, I'll quit". He asked his daughter, Lana, to take the guitar from the studio before any IRS agent arrived there, and then deliver it to him in [[Maui]].{{sfn|Draper|1991|p=103}} Nelson then concealed the guitar in his manager's house until his debt was paid off in 1993.{{sfn|Willie Nelson General Store staff|2010}}

==Political views and activism==
Nelson has supported of a number of causes. Along with [[Neil Young]] and [[John Mellencamp]], he set up [[Farm Aid]] in 1985 to assist and increase awareness of the importance of family farms, after [[Bob Dylan]]'s comments during the [[Live Aid]] concert that he hoped some of the money would help American farmers in danger of losing their farms through mortgage debt.{{sfn|Durchholz|Graff|2010|p=134}} The first concert included Dylan, [[Billy Joel]], [[B.B. King]], [[Roy Orbison]], and Neil Young among many others, and raised over $9&nbsp;million for America's family farmers.{{sfn|Durchholz|Graff|2010|p=135}} Besides organizing and performing in the annual concerts, Nelson is the president of the board of Farm Aid.{{sfn|Richmond|2000|p=94}}

Nelson is a co-chair of the [[National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws]] (NORML) advisory board.{{sfn|NORML staff|2009}} He has worked with NORML for years, promoting marijuana legalization. In 2005 Nelson and his family hosted the first annual "Willie Nelson & NORML Benefit Golf Tournament", leading to a cover appearance and inside interview in the January 2008 issue of ''[[High Times]]'' magazine.{{sfn|High Times staff|2007}} After Nelson's arrest for possession of marijuana in 2010, he created Willie Nelson's TeaPot Party under the motto "Tax it, regulate it and legalize it!"{{sfn|Thomson|2010}} Nelson got 19 write-in votes for President of the United States in the Minnesota [[Legal Marijuana Now Party|Legal Marijuana Now]] presidential [[2024 Minnesota Legal Marijuana Now presidential primary|primary held on March&nbsp;5]], 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Certification of Results of 2024 Presidential Nomination Primary |url=https://officialdocuments.sos.state.mn.us/Files/GetDocument/141483 |website=[[Minnesota Secretary of State]] |date=March 12, 2024 |access-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326145200/https://officialdocuments.sos.state.mn.us/Files/GetDocument/141483 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2001, following the [[September 11 attacks]], Nelson participated in the benefit telethon ''[[America: A Tribute to Heroes]]'', leading the rest of the celebrities singing the song "[[America the Beautiful]]".{{sfn|Quay|Damico|2010|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=lx7i4YHl_NoC|page=149}} 149]}} In 2010, during an interview with [[Larry King]], Nelson expressed his [[9/11 conspiracy theories|doubts]] with regards to the attacks and the official story. Nelson explained that he could not believe that the buildings could collapse due to the planes, attributing instead the result to an implosion.{{sfn|O'Reilly|2010}}

[[File:Willie Nelson 930 club 2012 - 12.jpg|thumb|upright|Nelson, and his guitar "[[Trigger (guitar)|Trigger]]", performing in 2012|alt=A man with long white hair and white beard playing a guitar. He wears a black T-shirt, which is crossed by the red, white and blue strap of the guitar. He also wears black pants.]]
Nelson supported [[Dennis Kucinich]]'s campaign in the [[Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2004|2004 Democratic presidential primaries]]. He raised money, appeared at events, and composed the song "Whatever Happened to Peace on Earth?", criticizing the [[Iraq War|war in Iraq]].{{sfn|Reuters staff|2004}} He recorded a radio advertisement asking for support to put musician/author [[Kinky Friedman]] on the ballot as an independent candidate for the [[2006 Texas gubernatorial election]].{{sfn|Hamilton|2010}} Friedman promised Nelson a job in Austin as the head of a new Texas Energy Commission due to his support of bio-fuels.{{sfn|Burt|2005}} In January 2008, Nelson filed a suit against the [[Texas Democratic Party]], alleging that the party violated the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First]] and [[Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Fourteenth Amendments]] of the [[United States Constitution]] by refusing to allow co-plaintiff Kucinich to appear on the primary ballot because he had scratched out part of the [[loyalty oath]] on his application.{{sfn|Selby|2009}}

Nelson is an advocate for better treatment for horses and has been campaigning for the passage of the [[Horse slaughter#Federal bills|American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act]] (H.R. 503/S. 311) alongside the [[Animal Welfare Institute]].{{sfn|Nelson|2007b}} He is on its board of directors and has adopted a number of horses from ''Habitat for Horses''.{{sfn|Habitat for Horses staff|2011}} In 2008, Nelson signed on to warn consumers about the cruel and illegal living conditions for calves raised to produce milk for dairy products. He wrote letters to [[Land O'Lakes]] and Challenge Dairy, two of the major corporations that use milk from calves raised at California's Mendes Calf Ranch, which employs an intensive confinement practice that was the subject of a lawsuit and campaign brought by the [[Animal Legal Defense Fund]].{{sfn|Nelson|2008}} Nelson is seen in the film ''[[The Garden (2008 film)|The Garden]]'' supporting the impoverished community South Central Farm in Southern Los Angeles.{{sfn|Kennedy|2019}}

A supporter of the [[LGBT]] movement, Nelson published in 2006 through [[iTunes]] a version of [[Ned Sublette]]'s "[[Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other]]", that met instant success.{{sfn|Neu|2006}} During an interview with ''[[Texas Monthly]]'' in 2013, regarding the [[Defense of Marriage Act]] and [[same-sex marriage in the United States]], Nelson responded to a comparison the interviewer made with the [[Civil Rights Movement|civil rights movement]], stating: "We'll look back and say it was crazy that we ever even argued about this". He also presented two logos with the pink equal sign, symbol of the LGBT movement. The first one, featured the sign represented with two long braids; while the second one, featured the sign represented with two marijuana cigarettes. The use of the logos became popular quickly in social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.{{sfn|Langer|2013}}

In June 2018, Nelson deplored the [[Trump administration family separation policy]].{{sfn|Hudak|2018}} During his Fourth of July Picnic, he performed a song with [[Beto O'Rourke]], the Democratic candidate for the [[United States Senate election in Texas, 2018|Senate election in Texas]]. Nelson endorsed O'Rourke, and received negative reactions from the conservative part of his followers.{{sfn|Taylor|2018}} On September&nbsp;29, 2018, Nelson offered a free concert in Austin supporting the candidate's run. The last number he performed was "[[Vote 'Em Out]]", a new track that was subsequently released as a single.{{sfn|Hudak|2018}}

==Personal life==
Nelson has been married four times and has eight children.{{sfn|Hollabaugh|2010}} His first marriage was to Martha Matthews from 1952 to 1962. The couple had three children: Lana, Susie, and Willie "Billy" Hugh Jr. The latter died by suicide in 1991.{{sfn|Hall|2008}} The marriage was marked by violence, with Matthews assaulting Nelson several times,{{sfn|Cartwright|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=FBRbZWBZolUC|page=276}} 276]|2000}} including one incident when she sewed him up in bedsheets and beat him with a broomstick.{{sfn|Goldman|2012}} Nelson then married [[Shirley Collie]] in 1963. The couple divorced in 1971, after Collie found a bill from the maternity ward of a Houston hospital charged to Nelson and Connie Koepke for the birth of [[Paula Nelson|Paula Carlene Nelson]].{{sfn|Cartwright|2000|p=[{{google books|plainurl=y|id=FBRbZWBZolUC|page=276}} 276]}} Nelson married Koepke the same year, and they had another daughter, Amy Lee Nelson. Following a divorce in 1988, he married his current wife, Annie D'Angelo, in 1991. They have two sons, [[Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real|Lukas Autry]] and Jacob Micah.{{sfn|Riggs|2007|p=239}} In 2012, Nelson learned that he fathered a daughter with his friend Mary Haney. Born on January&nbsp;22, 1953, Rene Butts (born Lynda Renee Barley) met Nelson and she shared a picture of both of them on Father's Day in 2016. Butts died in 2017.{{sfn|Krauser, Emily|2023}}

Nelson owns "Luck, Texas", a ranch in [[Spicewood, Texas|Spicewood]],{{sfn|Rolling Stone staff|2017}}{{sfn|Parker|2014}} and also lives in Maui, Hawaii{{sfn|Kane|2008}} with several celebrity neighbors.{{sfn|Grigoriadis|p=57|2007}} While swimming in Hawaii in 1981, Nelson's [[Pneumothorax|lung collapsed]]. He was taken to the Maui Memorial Hospital and his scheduled concerts were canceled.{{sfn|Krebs|1981}} Nelson temporarily stopped smoking cigarettes each time his lungs became congested, and resumed when the congestion ended.{{sfn|O'Hare|2010}} He was then smoking between two and three packs per day. After suffering from pneumonia several times, he decided to quit either marijuana or tobacco. He chose to quit tobacco.{{sfn|NPR staff|2012}} In 2008, he started to smoke marijuana with a carbon-free system to avoid the effects of smoke.{{sfn|Patoski|2011}} In 2004, Nelson underwent surgery for [[carpal tunnel syndrome]], as he had damaged his wrists by continuously playing the guitar.{{sfn|Associated Press staff|2002}} On the recommendation of his doctor, he canceled his scheduled concerts and only wrote songs during his recovery.{{sfn|Miller Loncaric|2008}} In 2012, he canceled a fund-raising appearance in the Denver area. He suffered from breathing problems due to high altitude and emphysema and was taken to a local hospital. His publicist Elaine Schock confirmed soon after that Nelson's health was good and that he was heading to his next scheduled concert in Dallas, Texas.{{sfn|McKinnley|2012}} After repeated instances of pneumonia and emphysema through the years, Nelson underwent [[stem-cell therapy]] in 2015 to improve the state of his lungs.{{sfn|Heim|2015}}

During his childhood, Nelson grew interested in martial arts. He ordered self-defense manuals on [[jujitsu]] and judo that he saw advertised in ''[[Batman]]'' and ''[[Superman]]'' comic books. Nelson started to formally practice [[kung fu]] after he moved to Nashville, in the 1960s.{{sfn|Nelson|Shrake|Shrake|2000|p=55}} During the 1980s, Nelson began training in [[tae kwon do|taekwondo]] and now holds a second-degree black belt in that discipline.{{sfn|Chilton|2012}} During the 1990s, Nelson started to practice the Korean martial art [[GongKwon Yusul]].{{sfn|Hall|2014}} In 2014, after 20 years in the discipline, his Grand Master Sam Um presented him with a fifth-degree black belt in a ceremony held in Austin, Texas.{{sfn|Chilton|2014}} A 2014 ''[[Tae Kwon Do Times]]'' magazine interview revealed that Nelson had developed an unorthodox manner of training during the lengthy periods of time he was on tour. Nelson would conduct his martial arts training on his tour bus "The Honeysuckle Rose" and send videos to his supervising Master for review and critique.{{sfn|Zirogiannis|2014}}

In March 2021, Nelson recorded a version of the popular standard "[[I'll Be Seeing You (song)|I'll Be Seeing You]]" that was used on a [[public service announcement]] by the [[Ad Council]] to encourage [[COVID-19 vaccination in the United States]].{{sfn|Weisholtz, Drew|2021}} Earlier in January 2021, Nelson and his sister received the [[Moderna COVID-19 vaccine]].{{sfn|Doyle, Patrick|2021}} In May 2022, Nelson postponed several shows after he contracted [[COVID-19]]. Nelson's wife detailed that he was severely affected by the illness, and that he received a treatment including [[Paxlovid]], [[Monoclonal antibody|monoclonal antibodies]], and steroids. Nelson resumed his tour in September 2022.{{sfn|Goldstein, Tiffany|2022}} During June 2024, Nelson had to cancel his performances at Outlaw Music Festival due to health complications and was ordered to rest for four days by a doctor.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morrow |first=Brendan |title=Willie Nelson cancels Outlaw Music Festival performances for health reasons |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/06/23/willie-nelson-illness-outlaw-music-festival/74185542007/ |access-date=June 23, 2024 |newspaper=USA Today}}</ref>

===Legal issues===
Nelson has been arrested several times for marijuana possession. The first occasion was in 1974 in [[Dallas]], Texas.{{sfn|Goddard|2010}} In 1977, after a tour with Hank Cochran, Nelson traveled to [[The Bahamas]]. Nelson and Cochran arrived late to the airport and boarded the flight without luggage.{{sfn|Nelson|Ritz|2015|p=247}} The bags were later sent to them. As Nelson and Cochran claimed their luggage in the Bahamas, a customs officer questioned Nelson after marijuana was found in a pair of his jeans. Nelson was arrested and jailed. As Cochran made arrangements to pay the bail, he took Nelson a six-pack of beer to his cell.{{sfn|Nelson|Ritz|2015|p=248}} Nelson was released a few hours later. Inebriated, he fell after he jumped celebrating and was taken to the emergency room. He then appeared before the judge, who dropped the charges but ordered Nelson to never return to the country.{{sfn|Nelson|Ritz|2015|p=249}}

In 1994, [[Texas Highway Patrol|Texas Highway patrolmen]] found marijuana in his car near Waco, Texas. His requirement to appear in court prevented his attending the Grammy awards that year.{{sfn|Patoski|2011}} While traveling to [[Ann W. Richards]]' funeral in 2006, Nelson, along with his manager and his sister, Bobbie, were arrested in [[St. Martin Parish, Louisiana]], and charged with possession of marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms.{{sfn|People staff|2006}} Nelson received six months probation.{{sfn|Patoski|p=471|2008}}

On November&nbsp;26, 2010, Nelson was arrested in [[Sierra Blanca, Texas]], for possession of six ounces of marijuana found in his tour bus while traveling from Los Angeles back to Texas. He was released after paying bail of $2,500.{{sfn|Cline|2010}} Prosecutor Kit Bramblett supported not sentencing Nelson to jail due to the small amount of marijuana involved, but suggested instead a $100 fine and told Nelson that he would have him sing "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" for the court. Judge Becky Dean-Walker said that Nelson would have to pay the fine but not to perform the song, explaining that the prosecutor was joking.{{sfn|Caulfield|2011}} Nelson's lawyer Joe Turner reached an agreement with the prosecutor. Nelson was set to pay a $500 fine to avoid a two-year jail sentence with a 30-day review period, which in case of another incident would end the agreement.{{sfn|Amter|2011}} The judge later rejected the agreement, claiming that Nelson was receiving preferential treatment for his celebrity status; the offense normally carried a one-year jail sentence.{{sfn|TMZ staff|2011}} Bramblett declared that the case would remain open until it was either dismissed or the judge changed her opinion.{{sfn|Cohen|2012}}

===Issues with the Internal Revenue Service===
In 1990, the IRS seized most of Nelson's assets, claiming that he owed $32&nbsp;million. In addition to the unpaid taxes, Nelson's situation was worsened by the weak investments he had made during the early 1980s.{{sfn|Draper|1991|p=177}} In 1978, after Nelson fired his manager Neil Reshen, Dallas lawyer Terry Bray introduced Nelson to the accounting firm [[PricewaterhouseCoopers|Price Waterhouse]]. To repay the debt Reshen had created with the IRS, Nelson was recommended to invest in tax shelters that ultimately flopped.{{sfn|Patoski|p=407|2008}} While the IRS disallowed his deductions for 1980, 1981 and 1982 (at a time that Nelson's income multiplied),{{sfn|Patoski|p=407|2008}} due to penalties and interests, the debt increased by the end of the decade.{{sfn|Patoski|p=406|2008}}

His lawyer, [[Jay Goldberg]], negotiated the sum to be lowered to $16&nbsp;million. Later, Nelson's attorney renegotiated a settlement with the IRS in which he paid $6&nbsp;million, although Nelson did not comply with the agreement.{{sfn|Draper|1991|p=177}} Nelson released ''[[The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?]]'' as a double album, with all profits destined for the IRS. Many of his assets were auctioned and purchased by friends, who donated or rented his possessions to him for a nominal fee. He sued Price Waterhouse, contending that they put his money in illegal tax shelters.{{sfn|Cowan|1991}} The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount and Nelson cleared his debts by 1993.{{sfn|Johnston|1995}}

==Legacy==
{{See also|List of awards and nominations received by Willie Nelson}}
[[Image:Willie Nelson BLVD.jpg|thumb|Willie Nelson boulevard in Austin, Texas|alt=A sign of a street that reads "2nd street, Willie Nelson BLVD 100". It is night time and the sign is lighted. The borders and letters are white and the inside is red.]]
Nelson is widely recognized as an American icon.{{sfn|PBS staff|2011}}{{sfn|Hamilton|2010}} He was inducted into the [[Country Music Hall of Fame]] in 1993,{{sfn|Edwards|1993}} and he received the [[Kennedy Center Honors]] in 1998.{{sfn|Kennedy Center staff|2011}} In 2011, Nelson was inducted to the [[National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame|National Agricultural Hall of Fame]], for his labor in Farm Aid and other fund raisers to benefit farmers.{{sfn|Treolo|2011}} In 2015 Nelson won the [[Gershwin Prize]], the lifetime award of the [[Library of Congress]].{{sfn|Leahey|2015}} In 2018, [[Texas Institute of Letters|The Texas Institute of Letters]] inducted him among its members for his songwriting.{{sfn|Merschel|2018}} He was included by ''[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]'' on its ''100 Greatest Singers'' and ''100 Greatest Guitarists'' lists.{{sfn|Rolling Stone staff|2010}}{{sfn|Rolling Stone staff|2011}}

In 2003, Texas Governor Perry signed bill No.&nbsp;2582, introduced by State Representative [[Elizabeth Ames Jones]] and Senator [[Jeff Wentworth]], which funded the ''Texas Music Project'', the state's official music charity. Nelson was named honorary chairman of the advisory board of the project.{{sfn|Texas Music Project staff|2011}} In 2005, Democratic Texas Senator [[Gonzalo Barrientos]] introduced a bill to name {{convert|49|mi|km}} of the [[Travis County, Texas|Travis County]] section of [[Texas State Highway 130|State Highway 130]] after Nelson, and at one point 23 of the 31 state senators were co-sponsors of the bill.{{sfn|Ward|2005}} The legislation was dropped after two Republican senators, [[Florence Shapiro]] and Wentworth, objected, citing Nelson's lack of connection to the highway, his fund raisers for Democrats, his drinking, and his marijuana advocacy.{{sfn|Fort Worth Star-telegram staff|2005}}

An important collection of Willie Nelson materials (1975–1994) became part of the [[Wittliff collections]] of Southwestern Writers, [[Texas State University]], [[San Marcos, Texas]]. The collection contains lyrics, screenplays, letters, concert programs, tour itineraries, posters, articles, clippings, personal effects, promotional items, souvenirs, and documents. It documents Nelson's IRS troubles and how Farm Aid contributions were used. Most of the material was collected by Nelson's friend [[Bill Wittliff]], who wrote or co-wrote ''Honeysuckle Rose'', ''Barbarosa'' and ''Red Headed Stranger''.{{sfn|Alkek Library staff|2010}} In 2014, Nelson donated his personal collection to the [[Dolph Briscoe Center for American History]]. The items include photographs, correspondence, song manuscripts, posters, certificate records, awards, signed books, screenplays, personal items and gifts and tributes from Nelson's fans.{{sfn|Briscoe Center staff|2014}}

In April 2010, Nelson received the "Feed the Peace" award from [[The Nobelity Project]] for his extensive work with Farm Aid and overall contributions to world peace. On June&nbsp;23, 2010, he was inducted into the Library of Congress's [[National Recording Registry]].{{sfn|Donahue|2010}} Nelson is an honorary trustee of the [[Dayton International Peace Museum]].{{sfn|Dayton Peace Museum staff|2010}}
In 2010, Austin, Texas renamed Second Street to Willie Nelson Boulevard. The city also unveiled [[Willie Nelson statue|a life-size statue]] to honor him, placed at the entrance of ''Austin City Limits''' new studio.{{sfn|BBC News staff|2010}} The non-profit organization Capital Area Statues commissioned sculptor Clete Shields to execute the project.{{sfn|Houston Chronicle staff|2010}} The statue was unveiled on April&nbsp;20, 2012.{{sfn|Tomlinson|2012a}} The date selected by the city of Austin unintentionally coincided with the number 4/20, [[420 (cannabis culture)|associated with cannabis culture]]. In spite of the coincidence and Nelson's advocacy for the legalization of marijuana, the ceremony was scheduled also for 4:20&nbsp;pm. During the ceremony, Nelson performed the song "[[Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die]]".{{sfn|Tomlinson|2012b}} The same year, Nelson was honored during the 46th Annual Country Music Association Awards as the first recipient of the [[Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award|Lifetime Achievement Award]], which was also named after him.{{sfn|Lewis|2012}} In 2013, he received an honorary doctorate from the [[Berklee College of Music]].{{sfn|Sullivan|2013}} The following year, he was part of the inaugural class inducted into the ''Austin City Limits'' Hall of Fame. Also included among the first inductees was his friend Darrell Royal, whose jamming parties that Nelson participated in were the source of inspiration for the show.{{sfn|Associated Press staff|2014}}

For many years, Nelson's image was marked by his red hair, often divided into two long braids partially concealed under a bandanna. In the April 2007 issue of [[Stuff Magazine]] Nelson was interviewed about his long locks.{{sfn|Everett|2010}} "I started braiding my hair when it started getting too long, and that was, I don't know, probably in the 70's." On May&nbsp;26, 2010, the Associated Press reported that Nelson had cut his hair,{{sfn|Associated Press staff|2010}} and Nashville music journalist Jimmy Carter published a photograph of the pigtail-free Nelson on his website. Nelson wanted a more maintainable hairstyle, as well helping him stay cool more easily at his Maui home.{{sfn|Carter|2010}} In October 2014, the braids of Nelson were sold for $37,000 at an auction of the Waylon Jennings estate. In 1983, Nelson cut his braids and gave them to Jennings as a gift during a party celebrating Jennings' sobriety.{{sfn|New York Post staff|2014}}

Nelson's touring and recording group, the Family, is full of longstanding members. The original lineup included his sister Bobbie Nelson, drummer Paul English, harmonicist [[Mickey Raphael]], bassist Bee Spears, drummer/percussionist Billy English (Paul's younger brother), and guitarist [[Jody Payne]].{{sfn|Scobey|1982|pp=198, 358}} The current lineup only includes Nelson himself, Raphael, and Billy English from the classic lineup, as Jody Payne retired (before dying in 2013), Bee Spears died in 2011, Paul English died in 2020, and Willie's sister [[Bobbie Nelson]] died in 2022.{{sfn|Kerns|2012}} ''Willie & Family'' tours North America in the bio-diesel bus ''Honeysuckle Rose'', which is fueled by Bio-Willie.{{sfn|Vancouver Province staff|2007}} Nelson's tour buses were customized by Florida Coach since 1979. The company built the ''Honeysuckle Rose I'' in 1983, which was replaced after a collision in [[Nova Scotia]], Canada, in 1990. The interior was salvaged and reused for the second version of the bus the same year. Nelson changed his tour bus in 1996, 2005 and 2013, and is touring on the ''Honeysuckle Rose V''.{{sfn|Langer|2014}}

==Discography==
{{Further|Willie Nelson albums discography|Willie Nelson singles discography|List of songs written by Willie Nelson}}
;Solo studio albums
<!--This section is just for solo studio albums. For a listing of additional albums recorded by Nelson, including collaborations, compilation and live albums, see the article on his full discography.-->
{{div col}}
*''[[...And Then I Wrote]]'' (1962)
*''[[Here's Willie Nelson]]'' (1963)
*''[[Country Willie: His Own Songs]]'' (1965)
*''[[Country Favorites-Willie Nelson Style|Country Favorites: Willie Nelson Style]]'' (1966)
*''[[Make Way for Willie Nelson]]'' (1967)
*''[[The Party's Over and Other Great Willie Nelson Songs|The Party's Over]]'' (1967)
*''[[Texas in My Soul]]'' (1968)
*''[[Good Times (Willie Nelson album)|Good Times]]'' (1968)
*''[[My Own Peculiar Way]]'' (1969)
*''[[Both Sides Now (Willie Nelson album)|Both Sides Now]]'' (1970)
*''[[Laying My Burdens Down]]'' (1970)
*''[[Willie Nelson and Family|Willie Nelson & Family]]'' (1971)
*''[[Yesterday's Wine]]'' (1971)
*''[[The Words Don't Fit the Picture]]'' (1972)
*''[[The Willie Way]]'' (1972)
*''[[Shotgun Willie]]'' (1973)
*''[[Country Winners]]'' (1973)
*''[[Phases and Stages]]'' (1974)
*''[[Red Headed Stranger]]'' (1975)
*''[[The Sound in Your Mind]]'' (1976)
*''[[The Troublemaker (album)|The Troublemaker]]'' (1976)
*''[[To Lefty from Willie]]'' (1977)
*''[[Stardust (Willie Nelson album)|Stardust]]'' (1978)
*''[[Sings Kristofferson|Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson]]'' (1979)
*''[[Pretty Paper (album)|Pretty Paper]]'' (1979)
*''[[Family Bible (Willie Nelson album)|Family Bible]]'' (1980)
*''[[Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Willie Nelson album)|Somewhere Over the Rainbow]]'' (1981)
*''[[Always on My Mind (Willie Nelson album)|Always on My Mind]]'' (1982)
*''[[Tougher Than Leather (Willie Nelson album)|Tougher Than Leather]]'' (1983)
*''[[Without a Song (album)|Without a Song]]'' (1983)
*''[[City of New Orleans (album)|City of New Orleans]]'' (1984)
*''[[Angel Eyes (Willie Nelson album)|Angel Eyes]]'' (1984)
*''[[Me and Paul|Me & Paul]]'' (1985)
*''[[Partners (Willie Nelson album)|Partners]]'' (1986)
*''[[The Promiseland]]'' (1986)
*''[[Island in the Sea]]'' (1987)
*''[[What a Wonderful World (Willie Nelson album)|What a Wonderful World]]'' (1988)
*''[[A Horse Called Music]]'' (1989)
*''[[Born for Trouble (album)|Born for Trouble]]'' (1990)
*''[[The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?]]'' (1992)
*''[[Across the Borderline]]'' (1993)
*''[[Moonlight Becomes You (album)|Moonlight Becomes You]]'' (1994)
*''[[Healing Hands of Time]]'' (1994)
*''[[Just One Love]]'' (1994)
*''[[Spirit (Willie Nelson album)|Spirit]]'' (1996)
*''[[Teatro (Willie Nelson album)|Teatro]]'' (1998)
*''[[Night and Day (Willie Nelson album)|Night and Day]]'' (1999)
*''[[Me and the Drummer]]'' (2000)
*''[[Milk Cow Blues (album)|Milk Cow Blues]]'' (2000)
*''[[Rainbow Connection (album)|Rainbow Connection]]'' (2001)
*''[[The Great Divide (Willie Nelson album)|The Great Divide]]'' (2002)
*''[[Nacogdoches (album)|Nacogdoches]]'' (2004)
*''[[It Always Will Be]]'' (2004)
*''[[Countryman (album)|Countryman]]'' (2005)
*''[[You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker]]'' (2006)
*''[[Songbird (Willie Nelson album)|Songbird]]'' (2006)
*''[[Moment of Forever]]'' (2008)
*''[[American Classic (Willie Nelson album)|American Classic]]'' (2009)
*''[[Country Music (Willie Nelson album)|Country Music]]'' (2010)
*''[[Remember Me, Vol. 1]]'' (2011)
*''[[Heroes (Willie Nelson album)|Heroes]]'' (2012)
*''[[Let's Face the Music and Dance (album)|Let's Face the Music and Dance]]'' (2013)
*''[[To All the Girls...]]'' (2013)
*''[[Band of Brothers (Willie Nelson album)|Band of Brothers]]'' (2014)
*''[[Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin]]'' (2016)
*''[[For the Good Times: A Tribute to Ray Price]]'' (2016)
*''[[God's Problem Child]]'' (2017)
*''[[Last Man Standing (Willie Nelson album)|Last Man Standing]]'' (2018)
*''[[My Way (Willie Nelson album)|My Way]]'' (2018)
*''[[Ride Me Back Home]]'' (2019)
*''[[First Rose of Spring]]'' (2020)
*''[[That's Life (Willie Nelson album)|That's Life]]'' (2021)
*''[[The Willie Nelson Family]]'' (2021)
*''[[A Beautiful Time]]'' (2022)
*''[[I Don't Know a Thing About Love]]'' (2023)
*''[[Bluegrass (album)|Bluegrass]]'' (2023)
*''[[The Border (album)|The Border]]'' (2024)
*''[[Last Leaf on the Tree]]'' (2024)
*''[[Oh What a Beautiful World]]'' (2025)
* ''[[Workin' Man]]'' (2025)
{{div col end}}

==Filmography==
{{Further|Willie Nelson filmography}}

==Bibliography==
* ''Willie: An Autobiography'', Simon & Schuster, 1988, with [[Bud Shrake]]
* ''The Facts of Life and Other Dirty Jokes'', Random House, 2002
* ''Farm Aid: A Song for America'', Rodale Books, foreword by Willie Nelson, 2005
* ''The Tao of Willie: A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart'', Gotham, 2006, with Turk Pipkin
* ''On the Clean Road Again: Biodiesel and the Future of the Family Farm'', Fulcrum Publishing, 2007
* ''A Tale Out of Luck'' (a novel), Center Street, 2008, with Mike Blakely
* ''Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings From the Road'', William Morrow, foreword by Kinky Friedman, 2012
* ''It's a Long Story: My Life'', Little, Brown and Company, 2015 with David Ritz
* ''Pretty Paper'', Penguin Random House, 2016 with David Ritz
* ''Willie Nelson's Letters to America'', HarperCollins, 2021 with Turk Pipkin
* ''Me and Sister Bobbie: True Tales of the Family Band'', Penguin Random House, 2021 with Bobbie Nelson and David Ritz
* ''Sister, Brother, Family: An American Childhood in Music'', Penguin Random House, 2021 with Bobbie Nelson and Chris Barton
* ''Me And Paul: Untold Stories of a Fabled Friendship'', HarperCollins, 2022 with David Ritz
* ''Energy Follows Thought: The Stories Behind My Songs'', HarperCollins, 2023 with Mickey Raphael and David Ritz

==See also==
* [[List of celebrities who own cannabis businesses]]
* [[List of Country Music Hall of Fame inductees]]
* [[List of country music performers]]
* [[Music of Austin, Texas]]

==References==
{{Reflist|20em}}

===Sources===
{{div col }}
*{{cite web |author=Alkek Library staff |url=http://alkeklibrarynews.typepad.com/alkek/willie-nelson/ |title=Largest Willie Nelson collection now at Texas State |work=Alkek Library News |date=September 22, 2010 |access-date=February 20, 2011}}
*{{cite web |website=Allmusic |year=2008 |title=The Electric Horseman |publisher=Rovi Corporation |url=https://allmusic.com/album/the-electric-horseman-r93318 |access-date=February 8, 2011}}
*{{cite web |author=Allmovie staff |year=2011 |url=https://allmovie.com/artist/willie-nelson-104264/filmography |title=Willie Nelson |publisher=Rovi Corporation |work=AllMovie |access-date=February 14, 2011}}
*{{cite news |last=Amter |first=Charlie |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/willie-nelson-dodges-jail-texas-195693 |title=Willie Nelson Dodges Jail in Texas |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=June 7, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2011}}
*{{Cite magazine |last=Appleford |first=Steve |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/american-epic-inside-jack-whites-new-roots-music-doc-w482170 |title='American Epic': Inside Jack White and Friends' New Roots-Music Doc |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=May 15, 2017 |access-date=February 4, 2018 |archive-date=December 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230230152/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/american-epic-inside-jack-whites-new-roots-music-doc-w482170 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Asker |first=Jim |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/willie-nelson-new-album-gods-problem-child-charts/ |title=No 'Problem': Willie Nelson's New Album Bows at No. 1 |date=May 9, 2017 |access-date=May 10, 2017 |magazine=Billboard}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Asker |first=Jim |date=June 2, 2019 |access-date=January 13, 2021 |magazine=Billboard |title=Lee Brice's 'Rumor' Tops the Country Airplay Chart, Willie Nelson Takes a New 'Ride' |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/lee-brice-rumor-tops-country-airplay-chart/}}
*{{cite news |author=Associated Press staff |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2004-05-11-nelson-cancels_x.htm |title=Willie Nelson cancels concerts |date=May 13, 2002 |access-date=May 22, 2011 |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press}}
*{{cite news |author=Associated Press staff |url=https://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,66288,00.html |title=Willie Nelson Bets on Biodiesel Publications |work=Wired Magazine |agency=Associated Press |date=January 14, 2005 |access-date=March 27, 2011}}
*{{cite news |author=Associated Press staff |title=The pigtails are gone: Willie Nelson cuts his hair |date=May 26, 2010 |url=http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_15166128 |work=Las Cruces Sun-News |access-date=February 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802034455/http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_15166128 |archive-date=August 2, 2010}}
*{{cite news |author=Associated Press staff |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/matthew-mcconaughey-and-others-celebrate-willie-nelson/ |title=Matthew McConaughey and others celebrate Willie Nelson |agency=Associated Press |work=Fox News |date=April 27, 2014 |access-date=April 27, 2014}}
*{{cite news |author=BBC News staff |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4160707.stm |title=Willie Nelson stages tsunami gig |access-date=February 15, 2011 |date=January 10, 2005 |work=BBC News}}
*{{cite news |author=BBC News staff |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10182790 |title=Willie Nelson to have street named after him in Texas |date=May 28, 2010 |access-date=March 27, 2011 |work=BBC News}}
*{{cite magazine |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=xCQEAAAAMBAJ|page=61}} |title=Singles |magazine=Billboard |author=Billboard |date=December 25, 1976 |volume=88 |issue=52 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=February 8, 2011}}
*{{cite magazine |author=Billboard staff |year=2012 |url=https://www.billboard.com#/album/willie-nelson/heroes/1647607 |title=Chart listing for ''Heroes'' |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=May 24, 2012}}
*{{cite web |author=Biography staff |year=2011 |url=http://www.biography.com/articles/Toby-Keith-16549809 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704103928/http://www.biography.com/articles/Toby-Keith-16549809 |archive-date=July 4, 2011 |title=Toby Keith Biography |work=Biography |publisher=A&E Television Networks. |access-date=February 15, 2011}}
*{{cite news |author=BMI staff |url=http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233783 |title=BMI Cheers 'Beer for My Horses' with Willie, Toby and Scotty |work=BMI |publisher=Broadcast Music |access-date=February 15, 2011 |date=July 15, 2003}}
*{{cite news |author=Brick, Michael |date=October 30, 2014 |title=For Willie Nelson, a biodiesel dream deferred |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/For-singer-a-biodiesel-dream-deferred-5859382.php#/0 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=May 13, 2021}}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.soundslikenashville.com/news/elton-john-biggest-hits-album/ |title=Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert to Honor Elton John on Biggest Hits Cover Albums |last=Brickey |first=Kelly |website=Soundslikenashville.com |date=March 15, 2018 |access-date=October 15, 2020}}
*{{cite book |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=aHOZjx0C8CsC}} |title=Whiskey River (Take My Mind): The True Story of Texas Honky-Tonk |isbn=978-0-292-71490-8 |publisher=University of Texas Tech |year=2007 |first1=Johnny |last1=Bush |first2=Rick |last2=Mitchell}}
*{{cite news |author=Briscoe Center staff |url=http://www.cah.utexas.edu/news/press_release.php?press=nelson_willie |title=Briscoe Center Acquires Willie Nelson Collection |date=May 8, 2014 |access-date=May 9, 2014 |work=Dolph Briscoe Center for American History |publisher=The University of Texas at Austin |archive-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519224925/https://www.cah.utexas.edu/news/press_release.php?press=nelson_willie |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite news |first=Jim |last=Burt |url=http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1014487_kinky-friedman-to-name-willie-nelson-as-texas-energy-czar |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913095106/http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1014487_kinky-friedman-to-name-willie-nelson-as-texas-energy-czar |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 13, 2012 |title=Kinky Friedman To Name Willie Nelson as Texas Energy Czar |work=The Car Connection |date=August 22, 2005 |access-date=February 2, 2011}}
*{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Jimmy |title=Willie cuts his hair |date=May 26, 2010 |url=http://askjimmycarter.blogspot.com/2010/05/willie-cuts-his-hair.html}}
*{{cite book |last=Cartwright |first=Gary |year=2000 |title=Turn Out the Lights: Chronicles of Texas in the 80's and 90's |publisher=University of Texas Press |isbn=978-0-292-71226-3}}
*{{cite web |last=Carey |first=Brian |title=Legendary Food, Legendary Service, and Legendary People |date=September 28, 2003 |url=http://www.epinions.com/review/rest-Chain_Restaurants-All-Texas_Road_House/content_114053123716 |work=Epinions |publisher=Shopping.com |access-date=February 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219111844/http://www.epinions.com/review/rest-Chain_Restaurants-All-Texas_Road_House/content_114053123716 |archive-date=February 19, 2011}}
*{{cite news |last=Caulfield |first=Phillip |title=Judge says request for Willie Nelson to sing 'Blue Eyes' in court was a joke |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2011/03/30/2011-03-30_willie_nelson_wont_be_performing_blue_eyes_crying_in_the_rain_in_court_to_get_ou.html |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York |agency=News Wire Services |date=March 30, 2011 |access-date=April 4, 2011}}
*{{cite news |author=CBS Music staff |url=http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/02/03/last-fm-trends-willie-nelson%E2%80%99s-on-grammy-road-again-2/ |title=Last.fm Trends: Willie Nelson's On Grammy Road Again |work=Last.fm |publisher=CBS |date=February 3, 2011 |access-date=May 22, 2011 |archive-date=February 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222012306/http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/02/03/last-fm-trends-willie-nelson%E2%80%99s-on-grammy-road-again-2/ |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite news |last=Chagollan |first=Steve |url=https://variety.com/2010/film/markets-festivals/willie-nelson-launches-luck-films-1118016497/ |title=Willie Nelson launches Luck Films: Musician-actor in joint venture that aims to make up to five pics a year |date=March 15, 2010 |access-date=November 27, 2012}}
*{{cite news |last=Chilton |first=Martin |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/worldfolkandjazz/9738338/Willie-Nelson-interview-Dont-fret-about-the-end-of-the-world.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/worldfolkandjazz/9738338/Willie-Nelson-interview-Dont-fret-about-the-end-of-the-world.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Willie Nelson interview: Don't fret about the end of the world |work=The Telegraph Limited |date=December 14, 2012 |access-date=December 14, 2012}}{{cbignore}}
*{{cite news |last=Chilton |first=Martin |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/worldfolkandjazz/10794872/Willie-Nelson-gets-5th-degree-black-belt-at-81.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/worldfolkandjazz/10794872/Willie-Nelson-gets-5th-degree-black-belt-at-81.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Willie Nelson gets 5th-degree black belt at 81 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |date=April 29, 2014 |access-date=April 30, 2014}}{{cbignore}}
*{{cite book |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=vRY27FkGJAUC|page=392}} |title=Culture wars: an encyclopedia of issues, viewpoints, and voices, Volume 1 |last=Chapman |first=Roger |publisher=M.E. Sharpe |year=2010 |access-date=July 5, 2011 |isbn=978-0-7656-1761-3}}
*{{cite news |first=Georgette |last=Cline |url=http://www.theboot.com/2010/11/27/willie-nelson-arrested-for-marijuana-possession/ |title=Willie Nelson Arrested for Marijuana Possession |date=November 27, 2010 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=AOL |work=The Boot |access-date=February 27, 2011}}
*{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=Jason |url=http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/win-weekend-was-willies-case-ever-settled |title=Win the Weekend: Was Willie's Case Ever Settled? |work=Texas Monthly |date=February 3, 2012 |access-date=April 9, 2013}}
*{{cite news |last=Cooper |first=Peter |url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/peter-cooper/2014/06/25/buddy-cannon-witnesses-willie-nelsons-magic/11379661/ |title=Buddy Cannon witnesses Willie Nelson's magic |date=June 26, 2014 |work=The Tennessean |access-date=July 1, 2014}}
*{{cite news |last=Cowan |first=Alison Leigh |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CEFD7113FF931A3575AC0A967958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all |work=The New York Times |title=Willie Nelson Hopes for a Hit; So Does the I.R.S |date=September 2, 1991 |access-date=February 15, 2011}}
*{{cite news |author=Cummings, Tommy |date=December 20, 2022 |title='Willie Nelson and Family' documentary to premiere at Sundance Film Festival |work=Dallas Morning News |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/music/2022/12/20/willie-nelson-and-family-documentary-to-premiere-at-sundance-film-festival/ |accessdate=January 1, 2023}}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-josh-homme-new-track-red-dead-redemption-2-soundtrack-2396784 |title=Listen to Josh Homme's new track 'Cruel, Cruel World', taken from 'Red Dead Redemption 2' soundtrack |first=Rhian |last=Daly |date=November 4, 2018 |website=NME}}
*{{cite web |author=Dayton Peace Museum staff |year=2010 |url=http://www.daytonpeacemuseum.org/willie_nelson_dayton_peace_museu.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725222005/http://www.daytonpeacemuseum.org/willie_nelson_dayton_peace_museu.htm |archive-date=July 25, 2011 |title=Dayton International Peace Museum |publisher=Dayton International Peace Museum |access-date=May 15, 2015}}
*{{cite web |last=Deusner |first=Stephen M |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/5906-countryman/ |title=Willie Nelson: Countryman |date=July 25, 2005 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |access-date=June 20, 2019}}
*{{cite book |last=Dicair |first=David |year=2007 |title=The First Generation of Country Music Stars |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-3021-5}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Dingus |first=Anne |magazine=Texas Monthly |title=Ernest Tubb Goes Electric and 51 More Moments to Remember Texas' Rich Musical Past |year=1992 |volume=19 |issue=2 |issn=0148-7736}}
*{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957665/tupac-willie-nelson-rem-among-inductees-to-national-recording-registry |last=Donahue |first=Ann |title=Tupac, Willie Nelson, R.E.M. Among Inductees To National Recording Register |date=June 23, 2010 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 14, 2011}}
*{{cite magazine |author=Doyle, Patrick |date=January 14, 2021 |title=It's All Going to Shot: Willie Nelson Gets the Covid Vaccine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/willie-nelson-covid-vaccine-1114870/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=May 6, 2021}}
*{{cite magazine |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=eysEAAAAMBAJ103|page=100}} |page=100 |title=Texas Monthly |first=Robert |last=Draper |journal=Domain: The Lifestyle Magazine of Texas Monthly |date=May 1991 |volume=19 |issue=5 |issn=0148-7736 |access-date=February 8, 2011}}
*{{cite web |last=Dunn |first=Jill |title=A Creditor forecloses Willie's Place |access-date=February 15, 2011 |url=http://www.overdriveonline.com/creditor-forecloses-willie%E2%80%99s-place/comment-page-1/ |date=January 27, 2011 |work=Overdrive Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514200307/http://www.overdriveonline.com/creditor-forecloses-willie%E2%80%99s-place/comment-page-1/ |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite book |last1=Durchholz |first1=Daniel |last2=Graff |first2=Gary |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=VicchWAszssC|page=134}} |title=Neil Young: Long May You Run |publisher=Voyageur Press |year=2010 |access-date=May 24, 2011 |isbn=978-0-7603-3647-2}}
*{{cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=David |last2=Callahan |first2=Mike |url=http://www.bsnpubs.com/liberty/liberty.html |title=The Liberty Records Story |year=2001 |work=Both Sides Now |publisher=Both Sides Now Publications |access-date=February 7, 2011}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Edwards |first=Gavin |year=2015 |title='We Are the World': A Minute-by-Minute Breakdown on Its 30th Anniversary |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/we-are-the-world-a-minute-by-minute-breakdown-30th-anniversary-20150306#ixzz3aExLBnp5 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=May 15, 2015 |archive-date=May 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506011150/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/we-are-the-world-a-minute-by-minute-breakdown-30th-anniversary-20150306#ixzz3aExLBnp5 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite news |last=Edwards |first=Joe |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ip4zAAAAIBAJ&dq=willie-nelson&pg=2163%2C4242908 |title=Willie Nelson inducted in Hall of Fame |agency=Associated Press |date=September 30, 1993 |access-date=May 23, 2011 |work=Bangor Daily News}}
*{{cite news |last=Everett |first=Christina |title=Willie Nelson haircut: Country singer chops off trademark long tresses and debuts shorter new look |access-date=February 15, 2011 |date=May 27, 2010 |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/05/27/2010-05-27_willie_nelsons_new_haircut_country_singer_chops_off_trademark_long_tresses_and_d.html |work=New York Daily News |archive-date=August 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820040238/http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/05/27/2010-05-27_willie_nelsons_new_haircut_country_singer_chops_off_trademark_long_tresses_and_d.html |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite encyclopedia |author=Encyclopædia Britannica staff |year=2011 |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/408390/Willie-Nelson |title=Willie Nelson (American musician) |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica}}
*{{cite AV media notes |author=Entertainment One staff |title=Ringo Rama |others=[[Ringo Starr]] |year=2003 |type=Booklet |publisher=[[Koch Records|Koch]], [[Entertainment One]] |id=038 411-0, 038 412–2, 038 413–9}}
*{{cite book |last=Erlewine |first=Michael |year=1997 |title=All Music Guide to Country: The Experts' Guide to the Best Recordings in Country Music |publisher=Miller Freeman |isbn=978-0-87930-475-1}}
*{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |year=2000 |url=https://allmusic.com/album/vh1-storytellers-r1826477 |title=VH1 Storytellers |website=AllMusic |access-date=February 14, 2011}}
*{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |year=2005 |title=WWII |publisher=Rovi Corporation |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r107217 |access-date=February 8, 2011}}
*{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |year=2007 |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/shotgun-willie-phases-and-stages-r184407 |title=Shotgun Willie/Phases and Stages |publisher=Rovi Corporation |access-date=February 20, 2011}}
*{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |year=2008 |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-troublemaker-mw0000691140 |title=The Troublemaker – Willie Nelson |publisher=Rovi Corporation |access-date=May 18, 2015}}
*{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |year=2010 |url=https://allmusic.com/album/country-music-r1716369/charts-awards |title=Country Music: Billboard albums |access-date=July 3, 2011 |work=Allmusic |publisher=Rovi Corporation}}
*{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |year=2015 |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/willie-nelson-mn0000583959/biography |title=Willie Nelson – Biography |work=Allmusic |publisher=Rovi Corporation |access-date=May 20, 2015}}
*{{cite book |year=2006 |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=4JH4e8BNIY4C|page=70}} |title=Country Music Facts, Figures & Fun |page=70 |last=Evans |first=Mike |publisher=AAPPL |access-date=June 21, 2011 |isbn=978-1-904332-53-4}}
*{{cite web |last=Evans-Price |first=Deborah |url=http://www.theboot.com/2010/04/21/wille-nelson-album-interview/ |title=Willie Nelson Delivers True 'Country Music' |date=April 21, 2010 |access-date=May 22, 2011 |work=The Boot |publisher=AOL}}
*{{cite news |author=Farias, Robbie |date=February 6, 2023 |title=Willie Nelson wins Grammy for best country album and best country solo performance |work=Austin American-Statesman |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/02/06/willie-nelson-wins-grammy-awards-best-country-album-2023-austin/69875405007/ |accessdate=February 6, 2023}} 
*{{cite web |author=Farm Aid Staff |year=2011 |url=http://www.farmaid.org/site/c.qlI5IhNVJsE/b.2723673/k.8C39/Past_Concerts.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523191508/http://www.farmaid.org/site/c.qlI5IhNVJsE/b.2723673/k.8C39/Past_Concerts.htm |archive-date=May 23, 2011 |title=Past concerts – Farm Aid |work=Farm Aid |access-date=February 14, 2011}}
*{{cite web |author=Fort Worth Star-telegram staff |url=https://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3157662.html |title='Nelson Highway' isn't a hit with GOP |work=The Houston Chronicle |date=April 28, 2005 |access-date=March 27, 2011}}
*{{cite news |last=France |first=Lisa Respers |date=April 17, 2020 |title=Willie Nelson hosting 'Come and Toke It' variety show on 4/20 |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/17/entertainment/willie-nelson-come-toke-variety/index.html}}
*{{cite book |first1=Holly |last1=George-Warren |first2=Dave |last2=Hoekstra |title=Farm Aid: A Song for America |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=dsM-zlN_XJQC}} |date=October 7, 2005 |publisher=Rodale Books |isbn=978-1-59486-285-4}}
*{{cite news |last=Goddard |first=Steve |title=Willie Nelson's Mug Shot From Last Friday Night |url=http://kool.radio.com/2010/11/30/willie-nelsons-mug-shot-from-last-friday-night/ |work=94.5 KOOL FM |publisher=CBS Radio |date=November 30, 2010 |access-date=June 13, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712045915/http://kool.radio.com/2010/11/30/willie-nelsons-mug-shot-from-last-friday-night/ |archive-date=July 12, 2012}}
*{{cite news |last=Goldman |first=Andrew |title=Willie Nelson, the Silver-Headed Stranger |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/magazine/willie-nelson-the-silver-headed-stranger.html |access-date=December 16, 2012 |work=The New York Times Magazine |date=December 14, 2012 |format=Interview}}
*{{cite news |author=Goldstein, Tiffany |date=August 29, 2022 |title=Willie Nelson's Wife Annie Opens Up About Her Husband's Nerve-Wracking Battle With COVID-19 |work=CMT News |url=https://www.cmt.com/news/q4e5hh/willie-nelson-opens-up-about-his-nerve-wracking-battle-with-covid-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117202424/https://www.cmt.com/news/q4e5hh/willie-nelson-opens-up-about-his-nerve-wracking-battle-with-covid-19 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |accessdate=January 17, 2023}}
*{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/may/17/30-minutes-with-willie-nelson |title=Willie Nelson: 'If We Made Marijuana Legal, We'd Save a Whole Lotta Money and Lives' |last=Hann |first=Michael |date=May 17, 2012 |access-date=May 20, 2012 |work=The Guardian}}
*{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/willie-nelsons-studio-version-vote-em-out-736172/ |title=Hear Willie Nelson's Studio Version of New Song 'Vote 'Em Out' |last=Hudak |first=Joseph |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=October 11, 2018 |access-date=October 11, 2018}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Grigoriadis |first=Vannessa |title=Move to a Fantasy Island |date=January 14, 2007 |magazine=New York Magazine |volume=40 |issue=1–7}}
*{{cite news |author=Guardian Music staff |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/27/willie-nelson-to-open-chain-of-marijuana-stores |title=Willie Nelson to open chain of marijuana stores |work=Guardian Music |date=March 27, 2015 |access-date=March 27, 2015}}
*{{cite web |author=Habitat for Horses staff |year=2011 |url=http://www.habitatforhorses.org/adoptahorse/willie2full.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003160022/http://www.habitatforhorses.org/adoptahorse/willie2full.html |archive-date=October 3, 2011 |title=Habitat for Horses signature series |work=Habitat for Horses |access-date=March 27, 2011}}
*{{cite book |author=Hachette staff |year=2015 |url=https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/willie-nelson/its-a-long-story/9780316403559/ |title=It's a Long Story: My Life by Willie Nelson |publisher=Hachette Book Group; Little, Brown and Company |access-date=January 26, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509155344/http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/willie-nelson/its-a-long-story/9780316403559/ |archive-date=May 9, 2015}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Hall |first=Michael |url=http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/%E2%80%9Cwillie%E2%80%99s-god-willie%E2%80%99s-god-we-love-willie%E2%80%9D |title=Willie's God! Willie's God! We Love Willie! |date=May 1, 2008 |access-date=April 12, 2011 |magazine=Texas Monthly}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Hall |first=Michael |url=http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/master-nelson-receives-his-black-belt |title=Master Nelson Receives His Black Belt |date=April 30, 2014 |access-date=April 30, 2014 |magazine=Texas Monthly}}
*{{cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Reeve |url=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/richard-kinky-friedman/willie-nelson-ad-for-kinky-friedman-valued-highly/ |title=Willie Nelson Ad for Kinky Friedman Valued Highly |work=The Texas Tribune |date=February 24, 2010 |access-date=February 22, 2011}}
*{{cite book |last1=Harden |first1=Lydia Dixon |last2=Hoekstra |first2=Dave |last3=McCall |first3=Michael |last4=Morris |first4=Edward |last5=Williams |first5=Janet |year=1996 |title=The Stars of Country Music:The Legends & The New Breed |publisher=Publications International |isbn=978-1-56173-697-3}}
*{{cite book |last=Hartman |first=Gary |year=2008 |title=The History of Texas Music |publisher=Texas A&M University Press |isbn=978-1-60344-002-8}}
*{{Cite news |last=Hautzinger |first=Daniel |url=http://interactive.wttw.com/playlist/2017/06/05/performers-american-epic-sessions |title=The Performers in 'The American Epic Sessions' |date=June 6, 2017 |work=WTTW Chicago Public Media - Television and Interactive |access-date=February 4, 2018 |language=en-US}}
*{{cite book |author=Harrison, Thomas |year=2011 |title=Music of the 1980s |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-36599-7}}
*{{cite news |last=Heim |first=Joe |year=2015 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/willie-nelson-keeps-on-rollin/2015/11/10/cfc5699e-7448-11e5-8d93-0af317ed58c9_story.html |title=Willie Nelson keeps on rollin' |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] Magazine |access-date=November 13, 2015}}
*{{cite news |author=High Times staff |url=http://www.hightimes.com/ht/entertainment/content.php?bid=1497&aid=24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070615083158/http://www.hightimes.com/ht/entertainment/content.php?bid=1497&aid=24 |archive-date=June 15, 2007 |title=The Pope of Austin, Texas Interview: Willie Nelson |work=High Times |date=November 27, 2007 |access-date=March 27, 2011}}
*{{Cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-27-ca-29172-story.html |title=ALBUM REVIEWS / POP : 'Twisted Willie' Gives Nelson Grunge Honors Treatment |last=Hochman |first=Steve |date=January 27, 1996 |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=August 1, 2019}}
*{{cite web |last=Hollabaugh |first=Lorie |url=http://www.theboot.com/2010/05/05/willie-nelson-wives/ |title=Willie Nelson Still Cares for His 'Additional Wives' |publisher=AOL |work=TheBoot |date=May 5, 2010 |access-date=February 22, 2011}}
*{{cite news |last=Holden |first=Larry |url=http://www.hngn.com/articles/52123/20141208/rhonda-vincent-and-willie-nelson-top-the-charts.htm |title=Rhonda Vincent And Willie Nelson Top The Charts |work=HNGN.com |publisher=Headlines & Global News |date=December 8, 2014 |access-date=December 9, 2014}}
*{{cite news |author=Houston Chronicle staff |url=https://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6994415.html |title=Willie Nelson statue and boulevard planned for Austin |date=May 7, 2010 |access-date=March 27, 2011 |work=The Houston Chronicle}}
*{{cite web |last=Hunt |first=Ernest E. IV |url=http://www.mindspring.com/~eehiv/nelson/d5711.htm |year=2009 |title=Sixth Generation (Descendants of Alfred Nelson) |publisher=Mindspring.com |access-date=March 27, 2011 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222114/http://www.mindspring.com/~eehiv/nelson/d5711.htm |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite book |last1=Jennings |first1=Waylon |last2=Kaye |first2=Lenny |year=1996 |title=Waylon: An Autobiography |publisher=Warner Brooks |isbn=978-0-446-51865-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/waylonautobiogra00jenn}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Jessen |first=Wade |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/willie-nelson-extends-record-for-most-top-10-country-albums/ |title=Willie Nelson Extends Record For Most Top 10 Country Albums |date=October 24, 2013 |access-date=October 24, 2013 |magazine=Billboard}}
*{{cite news |last=Johnston |first=David Cay |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D04E6DF1739F937A35752C1A963958260 |work=The New York Times |title=Tax Shelter of Rich and Famous Has Final Date in Court |date=November 4, 1995 |access-date=February 15, 2011}}
*{{cite web |last=Jurek |first=Thom |year=2008 |title=Honeysuckle Rose [CBS] |publisher=Rovi Corporation |url=https://allmusic.com/album/honeysuckle-rose-cbs-r84383 |access-date=February 8, 2011}}
*{{cite news |last=Kane |first=Coleen |url=http://www.plentymag.com/blogs/dirt/2008/05/woody_harrelson_plans_a_40day.php |title=Woody Harrelson plans a 40-day desert-island starvation |work=Plenty |publisher=MNN Holdings |date=May 30, 2008 |access-date=September 20, 2011}}
*{{cite web |author=Kennedy Center staff |year=2011 |url=http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/specialevents/honors/history/ |publisher=John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts |work=The Kennedy Center |title=List of Kennedy Center Honorees |access-date=February 14, 2011}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.thegardenmovie.com/about-the-film/ |title=The Garden Movie » About The Film |first=Scott Hamilton |year=2019 |last=Kennedy |website=Thegardenmovie.com |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-date=July 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703131249/http://www.thegardenmovie.com/about-the-film/ |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite news |last=Kerns |first=William |url=http://lubbockonline.com/entertainment/2012-03-04/willie-nelson-has-near-sellout-crowd-palm-his-hand-sunday-review-and-photo#.T2ZOp3lqKXk |title=Willie Nelson has Near-Sellout Crowd in Palm of his Hand Sunday |date=March 4, 2012 |access-date=March 18, 2012 |work=Lubbock Online |publisher=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal}}
*{{cite book |last=Kienzle |first=Richard |title=Southwest Shuffle: Pioneers of Honky-Tonk, Western Swing, and Country Jazz |year=2003 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-94103-7}}
*{{cite book |last=Kosser |first=Michael |title=How Nashville Became Music City, U.S.A.: 50 Years of Music Row |year=2006 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |isbn=978-0-634-09806-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/hownashvillebeca00mich}}
*{{cite news |author=Krauser, Emily |date=February 2, 2023 |title=Willie Nelson's 8 Children: Everything to Know |work=People |url=https://people.com/parents/all-about-willie-nelson-kids/ |accessdate=May 15, 2023}} 
*{{cite news |last=Krebs |first=Albin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/08/25/nyregion/notes-on-people-a-nelson-slowdown.html |title=A Nelson Slowdown |work=The New York Times |date=August 25, 1981 |access-date=April 11, 2011}}
*{{citation |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |title=Willie Nelson to Host 'Come and Toke It' Livestream Variety Show on 4/20 |date=April 16, 2020 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/willie-nelson-420-livestream-985531/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}
*{{cite news |last=Kroll |first=Jacklyn |date=January 26, 2020 |title=Willie Nelson Wins 2020 Grammys Best Country Solo Performance For 'Ride Me Back Home' |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/2020-grammys-willie-nelson-best-country-solo-performance |work=Taste of Country |access-date=January 13, 2021}}
*{{cite news |author=KWTX staff |year=2012 |title=Curtain Falls on Willie's Place |access-date=August 28, 2012 |url=http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/114624459.html |publisher=KWTX |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625204105/http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/114624459.html |archive-date=June 25, 2013}}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.nts.live/shows/guests/episodes/the-music-of-red-dead-redemption-2-feat-daniel-lanois-21st-august-2019 |title=The Music of Red Dead Redemption 2 Featuring Daniel Lanois |last=Lanois |first=Daniel |author-link=Daniel Lanois |publisher=[[NTS Radio]] |date=August 21, 2019 |access-date=October 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827110513/https://www.nts.live/shows/guests/episodes/the-music-of-red-dead-redemption-2-feat-daniel-lanois-21st-august-2019 |archive-date=August 27, 2019 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite book |url={{google book|plainurl=y|id=mzTW9Nitee4C|page=473}} |title=Entertainment Celebrities |last=Laufenberg |first=Norbert |publisher=Trafford Publishing |year=2005 |access-date=June 23, 2011 |isbn=978-1-4120-5335-8}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Langer |first=Andy |url=http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/exclusive-willie-nelson-same-sex-marriage |title=EXCLUSIVE: Willie Nelson on same-sex marriage |magazine=Texas Monthly |date=March 28, 2013 |access-date=March 28, 2013}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Langer |first=Andy |url=http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/last-word-willie-nelson-bus-thats-not-willie-nelsons-bus |title=The Last Word on the Willie Nelson Bus That's NOT Willie Nelson's Bus |date=June 8, 2014 |access-date=June 25, 2014 |magazine=Texas Monthly}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Leahey |first=Andrew |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/band-of-brothers-shoots-shotgun-willie-to-top-of-the-charts-20140625 |title='Band of Brothers' Shoots Shotgun Willie to Top of the Charts |date=June 25, 2014 |access-date=June 26, 2014 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=November 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111063503/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/band-of-brothers-shoots-shotgun-willie-to-top-of-the-charts-20140625 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Leahey |first=Andrew |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/willie-nelson-to-receive-gershwin-prize-for-songwriting-20150709 |title=Willie Nelson to Receive Gershwin Prize for Songwriting |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=July 9, 2015 |access-date=July 9, 2015 |archive-date=October 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012091355/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/willie-nelson-to-receive-gershwin-prize-for-songwriting-20150709 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=Randy |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-cma-awards-blake-shelton-entertainer-2012-20121101,0,6091358.story |title=Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert and Eric Church win CMA Awards |date=November 2, 2012 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 15, 2015}}
*{{Cite news |last=Locke |first=Charley |url=https://www.wired.com/2017/05/american-epic-return-of-the-lathe/ |title=The Long-Lost, Rebuilt Recording Equipment That First Captured the Sound of America |work=[[Wired (website)|Wired]] |date=May 17, 2017 |access-date=February 4, 2018 |language=en-US}}
*{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/12/woody-harrelson-lost-in-london-live-owen-wilson-willie-nelson-live-event-cinema-fathom-events-1201871311/ |title=Woody Harrelson Writes, Directs & Stars In Live-Event Film 'Lost In London' With Owen Wilson & Willie Nelson |first=Diana |last=Lodderhose |date=December 15, 2016 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=January 14, 2017}}
*{{citation |last=Margolis |first=Lynne |title=Toke along with Willie Nelson on 4/20 |date=April 17, 2020 |url=https://americansongwriter.com/willie-nelson-come-and-toke-it-event/ |work=[[American Songwriter]]}}
*{{cite news |last=McKinnley |first=James Jr |url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/20/willie-nelson-is-fine-after-canceling-a-show/ |title=Willie Nelson Is 'Fine' After Canceling a Show |date=August 20, 2012 |access-date=August 25, 2012 |work=The New York Times}}
*{{cite book |url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=id=CR63ED_FH_AC|page=303}} |title=Country music, U.S.A. |page=303 |last=Malone |first=Bill |publisher=University of Texas Press |year=2002 |access-date=June 22, 2011 |isbn=978-0-292-75262-7}}{{Dead link|date=April 2023|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}
*{{cite news |last=Merschel |first=Michael |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/arts/books/2018/01/26/willie-nelson-officially-literary-star-says-texas-institute-letters |title=Willie Nelson is officially a literary star: So says the Texas Institute of Letters |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=January 26, 2018 |access-date=February 25, 2017}}
*{{cite news |last=Miller Loncaric |first=Melissa |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1591696/willie-nelson-and-bb-king-mesmerize-atlanta.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080806102329/http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1591696/willie-nelson-and-bb-king-mesmerize-atlanta.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 6, 2008 |title=Willie Nelson and B.B. King Mesmerize Atlanta |work=CMT |publisher=MTV Networks |date=July 28, 2008 |access-date=May 22, 2011}}
*{{cite book |last=Milner |first=Jay Dunston |title=Confessions of a Maddog: A Romp Through the High-Flying Texas Music and Literary Era of the Fifties to the Seventies |publisher=University of North Texas Press |year=1998 |isbn=978-1-57441-050-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/confessionsofmad00miln}}
*{{cite web |last=Monkman |first=Martin |year=2008 |title=Pancho & Lefty |publisher=Rovi Corporation |url=https://allmusic.com/album/pancho--lefty-r92522 |access-date=February 8, 2011}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Myers |first=Judy |magazine=Country Song Roundup |year=1969 |title=Willie Nelson: His Own Story, in his own words |publisher=Charlton Publications}}
*{{cite interview |last=Nelson |first=Willie |title=How I Ended Up With a Classical |url=http://www.losthighwayrecords.com/artist/releases/release.aspx?pid=1675&aid=61 |work=iTunes Originals |date=December 13, 2005 |access-date=February 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921064533/http://www.losthighwayrecords.com/artist/releases/release.aspx?pid=1675&aid=61 |archive-date=September 21, 2012}}
*{{cite book |first=Willie |last=Nelson |title=The Facts of Life: and Other Dirty Jokes |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=c_hE-G_OLWEC}} |date=March 12, 2009 |publisher=Random House Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-307-52320-4}}
*{{cite book |first1=Willie |last1=Nelson |first2=Bud |last2=Shrake |first3=Edwin |last3=Shrake |title=Willie: An Autobiography |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=sfQ5AQAAIAAJ}} |year=2000 |publisher=Cooper Square Press |isbn=978-0-8154-1080-5}}
*{{cite book |first=Willie |last=Nelson |title=On the Clean Road Again: Biodiesel and the Future of the Family Farm |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=o5euCvzAWAEC}} |year=2007a |publisher=Fulcrum Publishing |isbn=978-1-55591-624-4}}
*{{cite book |first1=Willie |last1=Nelson |first2=Mike |last2=Blakely |title=A Tale Out of Luck: A Novel |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=sm4z04b6Iy8C}} |date=September 3, 2008 |publisher=Center Street |isbn=978-1-59995-176-8}}
*{{cite web |last=Nelson |first=Willie |url=http://willienelsonpri.com/peace/474/willie-nelson-writes-to-prevent-horse-slaughter.html |title=Willie Nelson Writes to Prevent Horse Slaughter |publisher=Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute |work=WillieNelsonpri.com |date=October 27, 2007b |access-date=July 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629194154/http://willienelsonpri.com/peace/474/willie-nelson-writes-to-prevent-horse-slaughter.html |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite news |last=Nelson |first=Willie |url=http://www.aldf.org/article.php?id=512 |title=Willie Nelson Urges Land O'Lakes, Challenge Dairy to Stop Using Milk Products that Come from Confined Calves |work=[[Animal Legal Defense Fund]] |date=March 26, 2008 |access-date=March 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725000114/http://www.aldf.org/article.php?id=512 |archive-date=July 25, 2011}}
*{{cite book |last1=Nelson |first1=Willie |last2=Ritz |first2=David |year=2015 |title=It's A Long Story: My Life |publisher=Little, Brown and Company |isbn=978-0-316-33931-5}}
*{{cite book |last1=Nelson |first1=Willie |last2=Ritz |first2=David |url=http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/545086/pretty-paper-by-willie-nelson-with-david-ritz/9780735211544/ |title=Pretty Paper |publisher=Penguin Random House |year=2016 |isbn=9780735211544 |access-date=October 28, 2016}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Neu |first=Clayton |url=http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1168901,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014908/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1168901,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |title=Brokeback Balladeer: Willie Nelson talks to TIME about his gay cowboy song |magazine=Time |access-date=March 28, 2013 |date=March 1, 2006}}
*{{cite news |author=New York Post staff |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/willie-nelsons-braids-sold-for-37g-at-auction |title=Willie Nelson's braids sold for $37G at auction |date=October 8, 2014 |access-date=November 29, 2014 |work=New York Post |publisher=Fox News}}
*{{cite web |author=NORML staff |year=2009 |title=NORML Advisory Board |publisher=NORML |url=http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5471 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216110709/http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5471 |archive-date=February 16, 2011 |access-date=February 14, 2010}}
*{{cite news |author=NPR staff |year=1996 |title=Willie Nelson, Live from the 'Fresh Air' Studios |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90066056 |work=NPR Music |publisher=National Public Radio |access-date=September 9, 2009}}
*{{cite web |author=NPR staff |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5430460 |title=Willie Nelson's Guide to Happiness |date=May 25, 2010 |work=National Public Radio}}
*{{cite news |author=NPR staff |url=https://www.npr.org/2012/11/18/165223056/willie-nelson-road-rules-and-deep-thoughts |title=Willie Nelson: Road Rules and Deep Thoughts |work=National Public Radio |date=November 18, 2012 |access-date=November 18, 2012}}
*{{cite news |last=O'Hare |first=Kevin |url=http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2010/05/the_willie_nelson_interview_life_aging_and_making_music.html |title=The Willie Nelson interview: Life, aging and making music |work=The Republican |location=Springfield, Mass. |date=May 12, 2010 |access-date=April 11, 2011}}
*{{cite news |author=Opry.com staff |url=http://www.opry.com/news/2011/05-05b.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509081630/http://www.opry.com/news/2011/05-05b.html |archive-date=May 9, 2011 |title=Opry Broadcasts Move To New Willie's Roadhouse Channel on SiriusXM |date=May 5, 2011 |access-date=November 12, 2012 |work=Opry.com |publisher=Grand Ole Opry}}
*{{cite news |last=O'Reilly |first=Bill |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/why-americans-do-not-trust-the-federal-government |title=Why Americans Do Not Trust the Federal Government |date=April 20, 2010 |work=Fox News |access-date=April 9, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120152740/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,591296,00.html |archive-date=January 20, 2011}}
*{{cite news |last=Pareles |first=Jon |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801E2D8143BF931A25757C0A9659C8B63 |title=POP REVIEW; Marathon of Music To Celebrate Nelson, 70 |access-date=February 14, 2011 |date=April 9, 2003 |work=The New York Times}}
*{{cite news |last1=Parker |first1=Kolten |title=Willie Nelson to rebuild central Texas ranch town after heavy damage from storm |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Willie-Nelson-s-central-Texas-ranch-damaged-in-5564275.php |date=June 19, 2014 |access-date=November 5, 2017 |work=San Antonio Express}}
*{{cite book |last=Patoski |first=Joe Nick |year=2008 |title=Willie Nelson: An Epic Life |publisher=Hachette Digital |isbn=978-0-316-01778-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/willienelsonepic00pato}}
*{{cite news |title=The Gospel According to Willie: The Resurrection of the Abbott Methodist Church |author=Patoski, Joe Nick |year=2008 |url=http://www.texascooppower.com/texas-stories/life-arts/the-gospel-according-to-willie |access-date=December 6, 2011}}
*{{cite news |last=Patoski |first=Joe Nick |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/03/us/03ttwillie.html?_r=2 |title=When It Comes to Marijuana, Willie's Punishment Seems to Vaporize |work=The New York Times |date=April 2, 2011 |access-date=April 10, 2011}}
*{{cite web |author=PBS staff |year=2011 |title=American Masters, lesson 19 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/classroom-resources/5379/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628204343/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/education/index.html |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |url-status=live |work=PBS}}
*{{cite news |author=People staff |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1536119,00.html |title=Willie Nelson Cited for Drug Possession |date=September 18, 2006 |work=People |access-date=May 23, 2011 |archive-date=March 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110330041314/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1536119,00.html |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite book |last=Poe |first=Randy |year=2012 |title=Stalking the Red Headed Stranger |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |isbn=978-1-4584-7151-2}}
*{{cite book |last1=Quay |first1=Sara |last2=Damico |first2=Amy |title=September 11 in Popular Culture: A Guide |year=2010 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-35505-9}}
*{{cite book |last=Reid |first=Jan |year=2004 |title=The Improbable Rise of Redneck Rock: New Edition |publisher=University of Texas Press |isbn=978-0-292-70197-7}}
*{{cite book |last1=Reid |first1=Jan |last2=Sahm |first2=Shawn |year=2010 |title=Texas Tornado: The Times and Music of Doug Sahm |publisher=University of Texas Press |isbn=978-0-292-72196-8}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Reinert |first=Al |url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=xSwEAAAAMBAJ|page=103}} |title=Texas Monthly |magazine=Domain: The Lifestyle Magazine of Texas Monthly |date=August 1976 |issn=0148-7736 |volume=4 |number=8 |access-date=May 24, 2011}}
*{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/01/music.nelson.reut/ |title=New Willie Nelson song condemns Iraq war |date=January 1, 2004 |work=CNN |agency=Reuters |access-date=February 22, 2011 |ref={{SfnRef|Reuters staff|2004}}}}
*{{cite web |author=RIAA staff |year=2010 |title=RIAA certification |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=The%20sound%20in%20your%20mind&artist=&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2011&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |work=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=February 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828224140/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=The%20sound%20in%20your%20mind&artist=&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2011&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |archive-date=August 28, 2013}}
*{{cite web |author=RIAA staff 2 |year=2010 |title=RIAA certification |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=troublemaker&artist=&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2011&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |work=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=February 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829025016/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=troublemaker&artist=&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2011&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |archive-date=August 29, 2013}}
*{{cite web |author=RIAA staff 3 |year=2010 |title=RIAA certification |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Stardust&artist=&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=on&before=on&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1977&endYear=1979&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |work=RIAA |access-date=February 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829021503/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Stardust&artist=&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=on&before=on&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1977&endYear=1979&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |archive-date=August 29, 2013}}
*{{cite book |last=Richmond |first=Clint |year=2000 |title=Willie Nelson: Behind the Music |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-0-671-03960-8}}
*{{cite book |last=Riggs |first=Thomas |title=Contemporary Theatre, Film, and television |publisher=Gale Research Co. |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-7876-9049-6}}
*{{cite web |author=RockHall |year=2023 |title=Willie Nelson - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |url=https://www.rockhall.com/willie-nelson-0 |work=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |accessdate=May 3, 2023}}
*{{cite magazine |author=Rolling Stone staff |year=2010 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-singers-of-all-time-19691231/willie-nelson-20101202 |title=100 Greatest Singers |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=June 11, 2015 |archive-date=March 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309054622/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-singers-of-all-time-19691231/willie-nelson-20101202 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite magazine |author=Rolling Stone staff |year=2011 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-20111123/willie-nelson-20111122 |title=100 Greatest Guitarists |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=June 11, 2015 |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618175434/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-20111123/willie-nelson-20111122 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite magazine |author=Rolling Stone staff |title=Willie Nelson, Margo Price Lead 2017 Luck Reunion Lineup |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/country/news/willie-nelson-margo-price-lead-2017-luck-reunion-lineup-w462119 |access-date=November 5, 2017 |date=January 20, 2017 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107031256/http://www.rollingstone.com/country/news/willie-nelson-margo-price-lead-2017-luck-reunion-lineup-w462119 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite news |last=Rosenthal |first=Abigail |date=April 17, 2020 |title=Willie Nelson is hosting 'Come and Toke It,' a live stream celebrating 4/20 |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |url=https://www.chron.com/entertainment/willienelson/article/Willie-Nelson-is-hosting-Come-and-Toke-It-a-15208064.php}}
*{{cite book |last=Scobey |first=Lola |year=1982 |title=Willie Nelson: Country Outlaw |publisher=Kensington Pub Corp |isbn=978-0-89083-936-2}}
*{{cite web |last=Selby |first=W. Gardner |url=http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/01/04/0104kucinich.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607231554/http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/01/04/0104kucinich.html |archive-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Kucinich sues Texas Democrats over loyalty pledge he won't sign |access-date=September 25, 2009 |date=January 4, 2009 |work=Austin American Statesman}}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/red-dead-redemption-2-official-score-launches-digital-platforms-1230363 |title='Red Dead Redemption 2' Official Score Launches on Digital Platforms |last=Shanley |first=Patrick |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=August 9, 2019 |access-date=August 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809191352/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/red-dead-redemption-2-official-score-launches-digital-platforms-1230363 |archive-date=August 9, 2019 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Michael William |date=April 25, 2013 |url=https://www.houstonpress.com/music/mr-record-man-willie-nelson-6597950?showFullText=true |title=Mr. Record Man: Willie Nelson |access-date=October 11, 2021 |work=Houston Press}}
*{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Zachary Alden |last2=Taylor |first2=Katrina |year=2008 |title=Renewable and alternative energy resources: a reference handbook |url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=OlA-fN3Bd4QC|page=173}} |isbn=978-1-59884-089-6 |publisher=ABC-Clio}}
*{{Cite news |last=Solomon |first=Dan |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-daily-post/watch-willie-nelson-merle-haggard-studio-new-footage/ |title=Watch Willie Nelson And Merle Haggard in The Studio in All-New Footage |date=June 6, 2017 |work=[[Texas Monthly]] |access-date=February 4, 2018 |language=en-US}}
*{{cite news |last=Sugimoto |first=Minna |url=http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=14419382 |title=Star-studded concert raises $1.6&nbsp;million for Japan earthquake, tsunami relief efforts |work=Hawaii News Now |publisher=Raycom Media |date=April 11, 2011 |access-date=April 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320025312/http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=14419382 |archive-date=March 20, 2012}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Sullivan |first=James |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/willie-nelson-the-hippest-octogenarian-honored-at-berklee-20130511 |title=Willie Nelson, the 'Hippest Octogenarian,' Honored at Berklee |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=May 11, 2013 |access-date=May 13, 2013 |archive-date=November 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118052340/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/willie-nelson-the-hippest-octogenarian-honored-at-berklee-20130511 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite magazine |last=Swiatecki |first=Chad |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/news/willie-nelson-tv-show-inside-arlyn-20141106 |title=Willie Nelson to Host New TV Show 'Inside Arlyn' |date=November 6, 2014 |access-date=November 6, 2014 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=December 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202175124/http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/news/willie-nelson-tv-show-inside-arlyn-20141106 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/sep/14/willie-nelson-beto-orourke-rally-performance-fans-upset |title=Willie Nelson upsets fans with plans to perform at Beto O'Rourke rally |last=Taylor |first=David |work=The Guardian |date=September 14, 2018 |access-date=October 11, 2018}}
*{{cite web |author=Texas Music Project staff |year=2011 |url=http://www.texasmusicproject.org/WhatTMPHasAccomplished.html |title=What TMP Has Accomplished |access-date=February 21, 2011 |work=Texas Music Project |publisher=The Texas Music Project |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913034156/http://www.texasmusicproject.org/WhatTMPHasAccomplished.html |archive-date=September 13, 2012}}
*{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Dave |url=http://www.austin360.com/music/40-years-ago-dripping-springs-reunion-helped-create-2242726.html |title=40 Years Ago, Dripping Springs Reunion Helped Create Austin's Musical Identity |date=March 16, 2012 |work=American-Statesman |publisher=Austin 360 |access-date=May 28, 2012}}
*{{cite news |last=Thomson |first=Gayle |title=Wille Nelson Creates 'Teapot Party' for Marijuana Legalization |url=http://www.theboot.com/2010/11/29/wille-nelson-teapot-party/ |date=November 29, 2010 |access-date=February 20, 2011 |publisher=AOL |work=The Boot}}
*{{cite book |last=Thomson |first=Graeme |year=2012 |title=Willie Nelson: The Outlaw |publisher=Virgin Books |isbn=978-0-7535-1184-8}}
*{{cite book |last=Tichi |first=Cecilia |year=1998 |url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=p_gYzRsNNbEC}} |title=Reading country music: steel guitars, opry stars, and honky-tonk bars |publisher=Duke University Press |access-date=July 5, 2011 |isbn=978-0-8223-2168-2}}
*{{cite news |author=TMZ staff |url=https://www.tmz.com/2011/07/07/willie-nelson-pot-marijuana-charge-case-judge-reject-plea-deal-fine-jail-sentence/ |title=Judge Crushes Plea Deal in Willie Nelson Pot Case |date=July 7, 2011 |access-date=July 12, 2011 |work=TMZ |publisher=EHM Productions}}
*{{cite news |last=Tomlinson |first=Chris |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/21/willie-nelson-statue-unve_n_1442705.html |title=Willie Nelson Statue Unveiled in Austin, Texas on 4/20 |agency=Associated Press |date=April 21, 2012a |access-date=May 15, 2015 |work=Huffington Post}}
*{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/17630239/willie-nelson-unveils-statue-of-himself-on-420 |title=Willie Nelson unveils statue of himself on 4/20 |date=April 21, 2012b |last=Tomlinson |first=Chris |agency=Associated Press |publisher=CBS Atlanta |access-date=April 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317225824/http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/17630239/willie-nelson-unveils-statue-of-himself-on-420 |archive-date=March 17, 2014 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite web |author=[[Toots and the Maytals]] |url=http://www.tootsandthemaytals.net/linear-cd-notes/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161110054527/http://www.tootsandthemaytals.net/linear-cd-notes/ |url-status=dead |title=Linear CD Notes |date=November 10, 2016 |archive-date=November 10, 2016 |website=Archive.is |access-date=June 20, 2019}}
*{{cite news |last=Treolo |first=Melissa |url=http://www.basehorinfo.com/news/2011/aug/18/nelson-shares-ag-hall-honor-farm-aid-partners/ |title=Nelson shares Ag Hall honor with Farm Aid partners |date=August 18, 2011 |work=Basehor Sentinel |access-date=August 21, 2011 |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531075605/http://www.basehorinfo.com/news/2011/aug/18/nelson-shares-ag-hall-honor-farm-aid-partners/ |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite book |last=Tribe |first=Ivan |year=2006 |url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=ZlBIJt_bRJAC|page=1}} |title=Country: a regional exploration |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-313-33026-1}}
*{{cite news |author=Vancouver Province staff |url=http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=da0cd4de-9c39-462b-a43b-1644eb5bd63d&k=72998 |title=Willie Nelson's had a 'Crazy' career IN CONCERT – Willie Nelson and Family |work=The Vancouver Province |publisher=Postmedia Network |date=June 28, 2007 |access-date=February 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628214301/http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=da0cd4de-9c39-462b-a43b-1644eb5bd63d&k=72998 |archive-date=June 28, 2011}}
*{{cite news |last=Vinson |first=Christina |url=http://tasteofcountry.com/willie-nelson-to-all-the-girls-album-collaborations/ |title=Carrie Underwood, Loretta Lynn + More Duet With Willie Nelson on Upcoming 'To All the Girls' Album |work=Taste of Country |publisher=Townsquare Media |date=July 26, 2013 |access-date=July 29, 2013}}
*{{cite book |last1=Wolff |first1=Kurt |last2=Duane |first2=Orla |year=2000 |title=Country Music: The Rough Guide |publisher=Rough Guides |isbn=978-1-85828-534-4}}
*{{cite web |last=Ward |first=Mike |url=http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/legislature/entries/2005/04/27/no_highway_for_willie.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329012537/http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/legislature/entries/2005/04/27/no_highway_for_willie.html |archive-date=March 29, 2012 |date=April 27, 2005 |access-date=March 27, 2011 |title='No highway for Willie |work=Austin American Statesman}}
*{{cite news |first=Sterling |last=Whitaker |url=http://tasteofcountry.com/willie-nelson-memoir/ |title=Willie Nelson to Share Musings From the Road in New Memoir |access-date=October 7, 2012 |work=Taste of Country |publisher=Townsquare Media |date=September 26, 2012}}
*{{cite news |author=Weisholtz, Drew |date=March 23, 2021 |title=Willie Nelson teams up with pro sports leagues in new PSA for COVID-19 vaccine |url=https://www.today.com/health/willie-nelson-teams-sports-leagues-psa-covid-19-vaccine-t212559 |work=Today |access-date=May 6, 2021}} 
*{{cite web |author=Willie Nelson.com staff |year=2011 |title=Here We Go Again: Celebrating the Genius of Ray Charles |url=http://www.willienelson.com/release/all/here_we_go_again_celebrating_the_genius_of_ray_charles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530050441/http://www.willienelson.com/release/all/here_we_go_again_celebrating_the_genius_of_ray_charles |archive-date=May 30, 2011 |publisher=WillieNelson.com |access-date=March 22, 2011}}
*{{cite news |author=Willie Nelson.com staff |url=http://www.willienelson.com/story/news-2012/willie-nelson-signs-historic-new-deal-with-legacy-recordings |title=Willie Nelson Signs Historic New Deal With Legacy Recordings |date=February 1, 2012 |work=Legacy Recordings |publisher=Willie Nelson.com |access-date=February 5, 2012 |archive-date=August 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822192604/http://www.willienelson.com/story/news-2012/willie-nelson-signs-historic-new-deal-with-legacy-recordings |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite web |author=Willie Nelson General Store staff |year=2010 |url=http://www.willienelsongeneralstore.com/trigger.html |title=Willie Nelson's Guitar Trigger! |access-date=March 27, 2011 |work=Willienelsongeneralstore.com |publisher=Willie Nelson and Friends Museum and General Store |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718052925/http://www.willienelsongeneralstore.com/trigger.html |archive-date=July 18, 2011}}
*{{cite web |author=Willie's Place staff |year=2010 |title=Willie's Place |access-date=February 15, 2011 |url=http://www.williesplacetheater.com/ |publisher=Willie's Place |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208013743/http://williesplacetheater.com/ |archive-date=February 8, 2011}}
*{{cite news |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=April 20, 2020 |title=Music Live-Streams: Willie Nelson, Wiz Khalifa 4/20 Potfests Lead the Week, with Springsteen-Fronted NJ Benefit to Follow |work=[[Variety (newspaper)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/music-live-streams-willie-nelson-wiz-khalifa-week-1234584952/}}
*{{cite web |author=Yahoo! Movies staff |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800026700/bio |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628201555/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800026700/bio |year=2011 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |title=Willie Nelson Biography |publisher=Yahoo! Movies |access-date=February 14, 2011}}
*{{cite magazine |last1=Zirogiannis |first1=Marc |title=Willie Nelson: Master of Country Music and Gongkwon Yusul |magazine=Tae Kwon Do Times Magazine |date=September 2014 |issue=September 2014 |pages=49–52 |url=http://www.taekwondtimes.com |access-date=May 24, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510075405/http://www.taekwondtimes.com/ |archive-date=May 10, 2017}}
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite encyclopedia |last=Allen |first=Bob |date=2012 |title=Willie Nelson |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofco0000unse_w1b8/page/360/mode/2up |url-access=registration |editor1-last=Kingsbury |editor1-first=Paul |editor2-first=Michael |editor2-last=McCall |editor3-last=Rumble |editor3-first=John Woodruff |editor4-last=Gray |editor4-first=Michael |editor5-last=Orr |editor5-first=Jay |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of Country Music: The Ultimate Guide to the Music |edition=Second  |location=New York |publisher=Oxford University Press |pages=360–361 |isbn=9780195395631 |oclc=671491821 |access-date=June 2, 2024}}
* {{Cite book |last=Nelson |first=Susie |date=1987 |title=Heart Worn Memories: A Daughter's Personal Biography of Willie Nelson |url=https://archive.org/details/heartwornmemorie0000nels |url-access=registration |edition=First |location=Austin, Tex. |publisher=Eakin Press |isbn=0-89015-608-5 |oclc=16093022 |access-date=June 2, 2024}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|Willie Nelson|wikt=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|s=no|n=no|d=Q206112}}
* {{official website|http://www.willienelson.com/}}
* [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p1743|pure_url=yes}} Willie Nelson] at [[AllMusic]]
* {{IMDb name|0005268|Willie Nelson}}
* [https://texasarchive.org/2010_03315 Willie Nelson Interview with reporter Jim Ruddy about "A Horse Called Music" in 1989] from [[Texas Archive of the Moving Image]].
* [https://texasarchive.org/2010_02539 Willie Nelson performs with Dallas Symphony Orchestra], 1989 from [[Texas Archive of the Moving Image]]
{{Archival records

| qid=Q206112

| title=Willie Nelson Papers

| fetchwikidata=all

| description_URL=https://www.thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu/research/a-z/nelson.html}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-ach|aw}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Rodney Crowell]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[Americana Music Association|AMA Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting]]|years=2007}}
{{S-aft|after=[[John Hiatt]]}}
{{S-end}}

{{Willie Nelson}}
{{Willie Nelson singles}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Willie Nelson|Awards for Willie Nelson]]
|list =
{{Academy of Country Music Award for Entertainer of the Year}}
{{American Music Award for Favorite Country Male Artist}}
{{American Music Award for Favorite Country Song}}
{{American Music Award of Merit}}
{{CMA Album of the Year}}
{{CMA Entertainer of the Year}}
{{CMA Duo of the Year}}
{{1990s Country Music Hall of Fame}}
{{Gershwin Prize}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Country Album}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Country Song}}
{{Grammy Legend Award}}
{{Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award}}
{{Kennedy Center Honorees 1990s}}
{{2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
{{CMA Lifetime Achievement}}
}}
{{Grand Ole Opry members}}
{{Highwaymen}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Film|Literature|Music|Texas}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nelson, Willie}}
[[Category:Willie Nelson| ]]
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[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
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[[Category:Guitarists from Hawaii]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Texas]]
[[Category:Hawaii Democrats]]
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[[Category:Liberalism in the United States]]
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[[Category:Outlaw country singers]]
[[Category:American political music artists]]
[[Category:Progressive country musicians]]
[[Category:People from Hill County, Texas]]
[[Category:People from Maui]]
[[Category:RCA Victor artists]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from Hawaii]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from Texas]]
[[Category:Texas Democrats]]
[[Category:The Highwaymen (country supergroup) members]]
[[Category:Third Man Records artists]]
[[Category:United States Air Force airmen]]
[[Category:Writers from Austin, Texas]]
[[Category:LGBTQ rights activists from Texas]]