Post Description

Willie Nelson My Life Biography

Profile of the iconic American troubadour, whose career as a muscian, actor and political activist has spanned five decades and has seen him collaborating with many of music's greats.

“Outlaw” Country music star, songwriter, actor, author and philanthropist, there is little left for Willie Nelson to accomplish during his life-time. With an apparently open and affable character Nelson has always been, nevertheless, a somewhat guarded man. In interviews his natural manner glosses over much information and he reveals only as much, or rather as little, as he feels like. It has been suggested that this stems from his poor Texan childhood.

Born 30th April 1933 in Abbott, Texas, then abandoned by his mother at only 6 months old, he and his older sister Bobbie were raised by their paternal grandparents. Despite the poverty which the family underwent during the Great Depression, Nelson and Bobbie were never deprived of music. They grew-up with Gospel, Country and of course Frank Sinatra. Nelson began scribbling poetry at the age of 5 and when he received his first guitar, aged 6, he began to put his lyrics to music. Both he and Bobbie benefited from the knowledge of their musical grandparents. Sadly, when Nelson was still very young, his grandfather died, leaving a gaping hole in his life. Nelson used his talent and song-writing ability to translate his grief into music. It was this honesty and simplicity that would become an unwavering part of his style and character over the years, earning him devoted fans from all walks of life.

By the age of 10 Nelson was playing his first gigs with a local polka band. Then when his sister married at the age of 16 both Nelson and Bobbie joined her husband Bud Fletcher’s band. Playing local dances and even on the radio Nelson stood out from the rest of the band. So much so that by the time his was 14 he had his own fan-club.