Willie Nelson was born and raised in Abbott, Texas.  In 1960, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee.  He was unable to land a recording deal but signed a publishing contract with Pamper Music.  He joined country and western singer Ray Price as a backup singer.

Willie Nelson

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The Early Years

Willie Nelson was born and raised in Abbott, Texas.  In 1960, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee.  He was unable to land a recording deal but signed a publishing contract with Pamper Music.  He joined country and western singer Ray Price as a backup singer.  During the time he was performing with Ray Price and the Cherokee Cowboys, Nelson was writing songs for other artists.  Some of these early songs included Billy Walker's Funny How Time Slips Away and Roy Orbison's Pretty Paper.

In 1965, Nelson signed with RCA Records and joined the Grand Ole Opry.  He released a series of seventeen albums, mostly produced by Chet Atkins.  The albums enjoyed only moderate success. Nelson retired and moved to Austin, Texas.  

Building his Niche

In Austin, he signed a contract with Atlantic Records and released the album, Shotgun Willie, in 1973.  The album received raves from critics but was not a commercial success.  After a few more releases, in 1975, Willie Nelson released Red Headed Stranger, which went multi-platinum.

Twelve more albums in the 1970s enjoyed varying amounts of commercial success.  His 1978 release, was his biggest selling album of all time.  The album included classics, such as Gershwin's Someone to Watch Over Me and Duke Ellington's Don't Get Around Much Anymore.  Rolling Stone Magazine eventually named the album #257 on their list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.  

The 1980s saw fifteen more albums and a burgeoning acting career.  His 1982 album, Always on my Mind, peaked at #1 on the US Country charts and sold multi-platinum.  The album included the title track, one of his biggest hits during that time.  He starred in multiple movies:  The Electric Horseman, Honeysuckle Rose, and Barbarosa.

Farm Aid and Forward

As Willie Nelson became more popular, he was able to use his fame and popularity to bring attention and success to charity efforts like Farm Aid.  The Farm Aid series and efforts became a passion of Nelson's over the years.  Nelson's collaborations with fellow artists in performances and recordings successfully raised millions for the cause.

Since the 1960s, Willie Nelson has released 81 studio albums, 7 live albums, and 15 compilation albums.  He released 22 #1 singles in the United States, and 30 overall.  He collaborated with many other artists, such as Julio Eglasias, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Juice Newton.  His next album is due to be released in 2010.

Did you know . . .

1. In 2007, Ben & Jerry's released the flavor, Willie Nelson's Country Peach Cobbler Ice Cream.  Nelson's share of the proceeds go to the Farm Aid fund.

2. Shortly after the premier of the movie, Brokeback Mountain, Nelson released the single, Cowboys are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other.  It is only available through iTunes for mp3 download, and he released it to increase homosexual awareness and acceptance.

3. Willie Nelson has been married four times and has nine children.

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