Willie Nelson

The Musical Journey: An Outlaw Country Icon

Willie Nelson is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in country music history. Born in 1933 in Abbott, Texas, Nelson grew up during the Great Depression and started writing songs and playing guitar as a child. After serving in the Air Force, Nelson moved to Nashville in 1960 to pursue a career in music.

Early on, Nelson struggled to find success, writing songs that were rejected by music row publishers. However, in the early 1970s, Nelson helped pioneer the “outlaw country” subgenre, bringing a rougher, more rock-influenced sound to country. Albums like Shotgun Willie (1973), Phases and Stages (1974), and the massively successful Red Headed Stranger (1975) established Nelson as a singular voice in country music.

Throughout his long career, Willie Nelson has released over 100 albums and won countless awards, including multiple Grammys, ACM Awards, and CMA Awards. Some of his most iconic songs include “On the Road Again,” “Always on My Mind,” “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” and “Whiskey River.” He is known for his unique phrasing, distinctive voice, and skillful guitar playing.

Nelson has collaborated with artists across genres, from Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson in the outlaw country movement, to more pop-oriented duets with artists like Julio Iglesias (“To All the Girls I Loved Before”). He co-founded the country supergroup The Highwaymen with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson in the 1980s.

Never one to stand still creatively, Nelson continues to tour and record new music into his 80s. His latest album, First Rose of Spring, was released in 2020. Nelson has won almost every major award in country music, including induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Through his iconic songs and progressive approach to country, Willie Nelson has cemented his legacy as a true American music legend.

Discography

Albums

  • Hill Country Christmas (1997-10-14)
  • Me & Paul (1985)
  • The Great Divide (2002-01-15)
  • Spirit (1996-06-04)
  • Night Life (1984)
  • What a Wonderful World (1988)
  • American Classic (2009-08-24)
  • Stardust (1978-04)
  • Healing Hands of Time (1994-11-10)
  • Covered by Willie (2006-02-01)
  • Family Bible (1980)
  • There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight (1978)
  • Walking the Line (1987)
  • A Horse Called Music (1989)
  • Teatro (1998-09-01)
  • Honky Tonk Heroes (2000-02-15)
  • The Winning Hand (1982-12)
  • Building Heartaches (1998)
  • The Best of Gospel (1989)
  • Six Hours at Pedernales (1995)
  • It Always Will Be (2004-10-26)
  • Laying My Burdens Down (1970)
  • Shotgun Willie (1973)
  • Phases and Stages (1974-03)
  • It’s Magic (2007-10-09)
  • America's Troubadour (2005-07-14)
  • Always on My Mind (1982)
  • Pretty Paper (1979)
  • Somewhere Over the Rainbow (1981)
  • The Eyes of Texas (2002)
  • Willie & Friends (1995)
  • Island in the Sea (1987)
  • Gospel: Old Time Religion (1992)
  • Old Friends (1985)
  • Good Times (1969-09)
  • Country Favorites Willie Nelson Style (1966)
  • Willie Nelson and Family (1971)
  • Brand on My Heart (1985)
  • San Antonio Rose (1980)
  • Seashores of Old Mexico (1987)
  • Funny How Time Slips Away (1985)
  • Rainbow Connection (2001-06-12)
  • …and Then I Wrote (1962-09)
  • Rhino Hi-Five: Willie Nelson (2006-11-28)
  • You Don’t Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker (2006-03-14)
  • The Party’s Over and Other Great Willie Nelson Songs (1967)
  • Danny Davis & Willie Nelson With The Nashville Brass (1980)
  • Good Ol’ Country Singin’ (2000)
  • Augusta (1995-12-12)
  • Angel Eyes (1984)
  • Always On My Mind (1995)
  • The Troublemaker (1976)
  • City of New Orleans (1984-11-25)
  • Just One Love (1995-07-04)
  • Night Life (2004-11-23)
  • Tougher Than Leather (1983)
  • Picture in a Frame (2004-04-27)
  • Nacogdoches (2004)
  • Pancho & Lefty (1982)
  • Together Again (1982-02-25)
  • Here’s Willie Nelson (1963)
  • Across the Borderline (1993-03-19)
  • The Sound in Your Mind (1976)
  • Country Willie: His Own Songs (1965)
  • In the Jailhouse Now (1982)
  • Red Headed Stranger (1975)
  • Waylon & Willie (1978)
  • The Willie Way (1972)
  • My Own Peculiar Way (1969)
  • Old Friends (1982)
  • Make Way for Willie Nelson (1967-05-01)
  • Moonlight Becomes You (1993)
  • Run That by Me One More Time (2003-07-01)
  • Sings Kristofferson (1979)
  • Partners (1987-03-21)
  • Love And Pain (1984)
  • Willie and the Wheel (2009-02-03)
  • Me and the Drummer (2000-06-06)
  • Songbird (2006-10-31)
  • Who Do I Know in Dallas (2007-07-10)
  • Born for Trouble (1990)
  • To Lefty From Willie (1977)
  • Texas in My Soul (1968)
  • Moment of Forever (2008-01-29)
  • Christmas With Willie Nelson (1997-07-29)
  • The Minstrel Man (1981)
  • Who’ll Buy My Memories? The IRS Tapes (1992-03-01)
  • Yesterday’s Wine (1971)
  • Any Old Arms Won’t Do (1992-10-06)
  • One for the Road (1979)
  • Both Sides Now (1970-03)
  • Countryman (2005-07-12)
  • Night and Day (2000)
  • How Great Thou Art (1996-07-09)
  • The Words Don’t Fit the Picture (1972)
  • Without a Song (1983)
  • Last of the Breed (2007-03-20)
  • The Promiseland (1986)
  • Half Nelson (1985-11-29)
  • Milk Cow Blues (2000-09-19)

Singles

  • Still Is Still Moving to Me (2023-08-04)
  • Mendocino County Line (2002-01-21)
  • The Party's Over / Make Way for a Better Man (1967)
  • Just Breathe (2012)
  • Bring Me Sunshine / Don't Say Love or Nothing (1968)
  • Reasons to Quit (1982)
  • Everything’s Beautiful in Its Own Way / Here Comes That Rainbow Again (1982)
  • Pancho and Lefty (1982)
  • On the Road Again (2021-06-01)
  • California Sober (2023-04-28)
  • There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight / Blue Must Be the Color of the Blues (1978)
  • A Woman’s Love (2018-09-28)
  • I’d Want It to Be You (2021-06-04)
  • If I Could Only Fly (1987)
  • Ride Me Back Home (2019-04-25)
  • Hurricane Shirley / Crazy Arms (1979)
  • For Real – For Tom (2019-12-20)
  • Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die (2013-04-20)
  • Dusty Bottles (2022-04-22)
  • Vote 'em Out (2018-10-11)
  • On The Road Again / Jumpin' Cotton Eyed Joe (1980)
  • Forgiving You Was Easy / You Wouldn't Cross the Street (To Say Goodbye) (1985)
  • River Boy / Opportunity to Cry (1964-04-14)
  • Under Pressure (2020-10-28)
  • Energy Follows Thought (2022-03-11)
  • You’re Gonna Love Yourself (In the Morning) / What Do You Think About Lovin’ (1983)
  • Baby, It’s Cold Outside (2017-11-16)
  • Tower of Song (2022-04-01)
  • Back on the Road (2000)
  • Baby, It’s Cold Outside (2010)
  • I'm Not Afraid to Die (2006-05-02)
  • Another Day in America / Let America Be America Again (1986)
  • Red Headed Stranger (2013-10)
  • Okie From Muskogee (Live) (2020-11-12)
  • On The Road Again (Live) (2020-11-19)
  • You Left Me a Long, Long Time Ago (2023-06-22)
  • Ten With a Two (1991-03)
  • The Scientist (2011-08-29)
  • First Rose of Spring (2020-02-21)
  • Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other (2006-02-14)
  • Don't Give Up (1993)
  • If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time / The Sound in Your Mind (1976)
  • I'll Love You Till The Day I Die (2022-02-10)