Willie Nelson
- Willie Hugh Nelson gave his first public performance when he was four and got his first guitar at the age of six. He played honky-tonks as a teen and earned his money as a door-to-door salesman, eventually getting a job at a radio station. By the time he graduated he had his own radio show.
- After a brief stint in the Air Force, Willie, at the age of 23, single handedly, recorded, financed and sold his first song, “No Place For Me.” His first charting single was 1962’s Top 10 hit “Willingly,” a duet with Shirley Collie. His first No. 1 hit was 1975’s “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.”
- Nelson’s career has spanned six decades and more than 200 albums. He is the president and one of the founding members of Farm Aid. He has charted over 80 times on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles, including more than 20 No. 1s. He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993.
- In 2009, Nelson’s releases included “Naked Willie,” “Willie and the Wheel” and the critically acclaimed “American Classic.”
- Willie Nelson signed with Rounder Records last year and released the album “Country Music,” a compilation of standards produced by T-Bone Burnett. The album peaked at No. 4 in Billboard’s Top Country Albums, and No. 20 on the Billboard 200. It was nominated for Best Americana Album in the 2011 Grammy Awards.
- In May 2010, Nelson quietly cut off his signature back-length braided hair.
- Nelson is a major liberal activist and the co-chair of the advisory board of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. He also owns the bio-diesel brand Willie Nelson Biodiesel, which 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.
- Willie Nelson was recently inducted into the Agricultural Hall of Fame for his role as founder and president of Farm Aid. His induction coincided with the 26th annual Farm Aid concert.
- Official Web site: www.willienelson.com
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