Willie Nelson, 89, may be known as one of the most talented country singers in the music industry, but he's also the proud dad of eight children! [136], In 2017, Nelson appeared as himself in Woody Harrelson's live film, Lost in London. [53], 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. Thousands of tickets . [192] In 1977, after a tour with Hank Cochran, Nelson traveled to The Bahamas. Nelson has acted in over 30 films, co-authored several books, and has been involved in activism for the use of biofuels and the legalization of marijuana. The couple had three children together: daughters Lana and Susie and son Willie "Billy" Hugh Jr., who passed away unexpectedly on Christmas Day 1991 (per People ). [146][147], Constant strumming with a guitar pick over the decades has worn a large sweeping hole into the guitar's body near the sound holethe N-20 has no pick-guard since classical guitars are meant to be played fingerstyle instead of with picks. [1] He was named Willie by his cousin Mildred, who also chose Hugh as his middle name, in honor of her recently deceased younger brother. The establishment had about 80 employees,[131] and was used as a concert hall with a bar and a 1,000 square feet (93m2) dance floor. First, to a woman named Martha Matthews, and the two were together from 1952-1962. Willie and Martha Nelson's son Billy had a child of his own before passing away, a daughter named Raelyn (per Eat, Play, Rock). [76], In 1996, Nelson re-recorded the tracks "Hello Walls" with the band The Reverend Horton Heat, and "Bloody Mary Morning" with the Supersuckers for His following release was Band of Brothers, in 2014, the first Nelson album to feature the most newly self-penned songs since 1996's Spirit. [165] During his Fourth of July Picnic, he performed a song with Beto O'Rourke, the Democratic candidate for the Senate election in Texas. The album included a cover of 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. [179] In 2004, Nelson underwent surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, as he had damaged his wrists by continuously playing the guitar. Thom Zimny and Oren Moverman, the directors of the first authorized documentary project about Willie, were tasked with telling his story in a way that's never been told before. "I have an old, dear friend, Mary Haney, who I'd lost touch with but recently met again after decades," Nelson said. 7). Willie worried for years that he was not the best father and admitted to Rolling Stonein an interview, Ive been gone most of the time due to a lifelong series of tours. [175] While swimming in Hawaii in 1981, Nelson's lung collapsed. Nelson and Cochran arrived late to the airport and boarded the flight without luggage. [133] The next year, he created the Willie's Roadhouse show which aired on channel 56 of SiriusXM radio. [15] When nobody picked him up, he ended up sleeping in a ditch[19] before hopping a freight train bound for Eugene. He raised money, appeared at events, and composed the song "Whatever Happened to Peace on Earth? "Willie Nelson & Family" features both archival footage and new interviews with Nelson, his late sister Bobbie, and many other fellow musicians and friends. Nelson attended Abbott High School, where he was a halfback on the football team, guard on the basketball team, and shortstop in baseball. [128] The fuel was made from vegetable oil (mainly soybean oil), and can be burned without modification in diesel engines. [12] His musical influences were Hank Williams, Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell, Ray Price, Ernest Tubb, Hank Snow, Django Reinhardt, Frank Sinatra, and Louis Armstrong.[13][14]. In June 2021, a collection of his thoughts on America, family, faith and music hits shelves as a new book titled Willie Nelson's Letters to America.These creative endeavors as well as new songs and performances that add to his classic catalog, find Willie Nelson rolling at an artistic peak, writing and singing and playing with the seasoned . [20], Nelson was hired by KVAN in Vancouver, Washington, and appeared frequently on a television show. So, with eight children spanning several decades, many are left wondering how many grandchildren Willie Nelson truly has we reveal that number below. His grandfather, William, worked as a blacksmith, while his father worked as a mechanic. I have an old, dear friend Mary Haney, who Id lost touch with but recently met again after decades, he said. Later, Nelson's attorney renegotiated a settlement with the IRS in which he paid $6million, although Nelson did not comply with the agreement. [234] The current lineup includes all the members but Jody Payne, who retired, Bee Spears, who died in 2011, and Willie's sister Bobbie Nelson, who died in 2022. Released on November 13, it was named after the song from his album Heroes. Dick liked a song of Nelson's he heard on the bar's jukebox. Nelson explained that he could not believe that the buildings could collapse due to the planes, attributing instead the result to an implosion. Bobbie Nelson, an original member of her younger brother . The use of the logos became popular quickly in social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. [203] Nelson released The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories? [145], Nelson is active in a number of issues. [211] In 2015 Nelson won the Gershwin Prize, the lifetime award of the Library of Congress. [199] Nelson's lawyer Joe Turner reached an agreement with the prosecutor. Billy died in 1991. [74] In 1985, Nelson had another success with Half Nelson, a compilation album of duets with a range of artists such as Ray Charles and Neil Young. However,. Bobbie Nelson, a longtime member of Willie Nelson's Family Band, has died at 91. In 2005, Nelson and several other business partners formed Willie Nelson Biodiesel ("Bio-Willie"), a company that was marketing bio-diesel bio-fuel to truck stops. [233], Nelson's touring and recording group, the Family, is full of longstanding members. [115][116] In December 2022, Mark Rothbaum announced the release of a five-part documentary entitled Willie Nelson and Family to be released at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. He has also dabbled in TV, appearing in everything from "Half Baked," "The Simpsons," and "The Colbert Report.". [145] The first signature on the guitar was Leon Russell's, who asked Nelson initially to sign his guitar. [111][112][113] The same year, Nelson was approached by Karen O of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs to collaborate. After those two divorced, he went on to marry Connie Kopeke and the two share two daughters, Lana and Amy Lee. Wyatt Beard - background vocals; Melonie Cannon - background vocals; Jim "Moose" Brown - piano, synthesizer, B-3 organ, Wurlitzer; Mike Johnson - steel guitar In 1992, Nelson released The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories? In addition to the unpaid taxes, Nelson's situation was worsened by the weak investments he had made during the early 1980s. [226] The same year, Nelson was honored during the 46th Annual Country Music Association Awards as the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was also named after him. Willie Nelson's personal life has been a rollercoaster, as he admitted in his memoir "Me and Sister Bobbie: True Tales of the Family Band." Per People , the singer shared how his second marriage . On the environmental front, Nelson owns the biodiesel brand Willie Nelson Biodiesel, whose product is made from vegetable oil. [225] The date selected by the city of Austin unintentionally coincided with the number 4/20, associated with cannabis culture. In 1985, he helped organize the first Farm Aid concert to benefit American farmers; the concerts have been held annually ever since and Nelson has been a fixture, appearing at every one. [201] Bramblett declared that the case would remain open until it was either dismissed or the judge changed her opinion. Words and music: Mae Axton, Ed Honeycut, and Roger Alan Wade, Video related to willie nelsons kids & family: 5 fast facts you need to know, I have an old, dear friend Mary Haney, who Id lost touch with but recently met again after decades, he said. 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 moved to a ranch near Bandera, Texas, and married Connie Koepke. [164], In June 2018, Nelson deplored the Trump administration family separation policy. He was released after paying bail of $2,500. [217] 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. I consider them as much a part of Willie Nelson and Family as I do my other children. [186] 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. [129] Nelson registered his company with Earth Biofuels and he became a board member. We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. but thats just the way it is. [150], Nelson is a co-chair of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) advisory board. [148] The first concert included Dylan, Billy Joel, B.B. Then in 2012, Nelson discovered he had a daughter Renee with his "Stagecoach" co-star Mary Haney. [227] In 2013, he received an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music. We Love Willie! On June 23, 2010, he was inducted into the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry. [198] 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. The Nelson family is large and varied, but they all appear to remain connected through the years; quite the feat with so many members! Heres what we know about Nelsons children: Nelsons eldest son Billy committed suicide by hanging in 1991, according to People. He was one of the main figures of outlaw country, a subgenre of country music that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restrictions of the Nashville sound. He then appeared before the judge, who dropped the charges but ordered Nelson to never return to the country. [214][215], In 2003, Texas Governor Perry signed bill No. In addition to the problems in his career, Nelson divorced Shirley Collie in 1970. [187] 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. [197], On November 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. To repay the debt Reshen had created with the IRS, Nelson was recommended to invest in tax shelters that ultimately flopped. [126], In 2002, Nelson became the official spokesman of the Texas Roadhouse, a chain of steakhouses. Even though each of their projects strays far from their dads chosen sound, the boys give their credit of inspiration toWillies freewheeling philosophy that acts as their beacon and guide. Nelson heavily promoted the chain and appeared on a special on Food Network. Father-daughter duo Paula Nelson and Willie Nelson Re-record "Slow Down Old World" [58] Later that year Nelson released The Sound in Your Mind (certified gold in 1978 and platinum in 2001)[59] and his first gospel album Troublemaker[60] (certified gold in 1986). His requirement to appear in court prevented his attending the Grammy awards that year. A badass American outlaw cowboy who transcended his humble beginnings in small-town Abbott, Texas, he remains beloved in blue states, red states, and let's . [204] While the IRS disallowed his deductions for 1980, 1981 and 1982 (at a time that Nelson's income multiplied),[204] due to penalties and interests, the debt increased by the end of the decade. Getty Images. [193] The bags were later sent to them. [91], In 2010, Nelson released Country Music, a compilation of standards produced by T-Bone Burnett. Later that night Dick played the tape for Cline, who decided to record it. Here's How Many Grandchildren Willie Nelson Has, Me and Sister Bobbie: True Tales of the Family Band. Despite the failure to reach the expected attendance, the concept of the festival inspired Nelson to create the Fourth of July Picnic, his own annual event, starting the following year. [62] In June, a package containing cocaine was sent from Reshen's office in New York to Jennings in Nashville. Willie Nelson was born in Abbott, Texas, on April 29, 1933. The city also unveiled a life-size statue to honor him, placed at the entrance of Austin City Limits' new studio. He recorded the song for his debut album, Introduction of the song "Shotgun Willie", opening track of the album of the, sfn error: no target: CITEREFAllmusic_staff2008 (, sfn error: no target: CITEREFReuters_staff2004 (, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys, If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time, The Presidents of the United States of America, Here We Go Again: Celebrating the Genius of Ray Charles, Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance, Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings from the Road, Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other, Trump administration family separation policy, COVID-19 vaccination in the United States, List of awards and nominations received by Willie Nelson, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker, For the Good Times: A Tribute to Ray Price, List of Country Music Hall of Fame inductees, "Largest Willie Nelson collection now at Texas State", "No 'Problem': Willie Nelson's New Album Bows at No. The last number he performed was "Vote 'Em Out", a new track that was subsequently released as a single. <style type="text/css"> .event, .event-header__more-button, .event-header__menu-button, .menu, .page__wrapper, #edp-ticket-loader, #modal-dialog { display:none . Amini-documentary released in October 2017 called Willie Nelson and the Boysfeatures the brothersdiscussing their family dynamic and the influence of their father. [230] "I started braiding my hair when it started getting too long, and that was, I don't know, probably in the 70's." 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. 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. [178] In 2008, he started to smoke marijuana with a carbon-free system to avoid the effects of smoke. 3/7 @ 10am EST*. economy. With a career spanning seven decades, Willie Nelson is widely recognized as one of the greatest singer-songwriter-guitar players in the history of popular music. And the star loves his family dearly, telling The Daily Texan in March, "I'm proud of my (kids). [151] He has worked with NORML for years, promoting marijuana legalization. Willie Nelson revealed more about his extensive family tree in his 2012 autobiography "Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings from the Road," specifically about discovering his great-grandchildren with Mary Haney. [115] In 2023, Nelson was nominated to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. [24] Cannon acquainted Nelson earlier, during the production of his collaboration with Kenny Chesney on the duet "That Lucky Old Sun", for Chesney's album of the same name. Powered by. Micah and Lukas, Nelsons two youngest children with wife Annie DAngelo, both toured with their father and have sang on stage with him on several occasions, which they credit as their inspiration to pursue their own music careers, according to Country Fancast. [189] Earlier in January 2021, Nelson and his sister received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Billy was planning on releasing the album himself before his death. In spite of the coincidence and Nelson's advocacy for the legalization of marijuana, the ceremony was scheduled also for 4:20pm. The 89-year-old is. [162], 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. [195], In 1994, highway patrolmen found marijuana in his car near Waco, Texas. He went on to say, They had their mother there, and I wasnt there. [149] Besides organizing and performing in the annual concerts, Nelson is the president of the board of Farm Aid. Related article: Learn more about Willie Nelsons wife Annie DAngelo. He is nominated for four Grammys at the 2023 ceremony. He sold "Family Bible" to Buskirk for $50 and "Night Life" for $150. ", "Buddy Cannon witnesses Willie Nelson's magic", "Willie Nelson Hopes for a Hit; So Does the I.R.S", "Listen to Josh Homme's new track 'Cruel, Cruel World', taken from 'Red Dead Redemption 2' soundtrack", "Tupac, Willie Nelson, R.E.M. [167] His first marriage was to Martha Matthews from 1952 to 1962. 1", "Lee Brice's 'Rumor' Tops the Country Airplay Chart, Willie Nelson Takes a New 'Ride', "Willie Nelson Bets on Biodiesel Publications", "The pigtails are gone: Willie Nelson cuts his hair", "Matthew McConaughey and others celebrate Willie Nelson", "Willie Nelson to have street named after him in Texas", "BMI Cheers 'Beer for My Horses' with Willie, Toby and Scotty", "For Willie Nelson, a biodiesel dream deferred", "Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert to Honor Elton John on Biggest Hits Cover Albums", "Briscoe Center Acquires Willie Nelson Collection", "Kinky Friedman To Name Willie Nelson as Texas Energy Czar", "Legendary Food, Legendary Service, and Legendary People", "Judge says request for Willie Nelson to sing 'Blue Eyes' in court was a joke", "Last.fm Trends: Willie Nelson's On Grammy Road Again", "Willie Nelson launches Luck Films: Musician-actor in joint venture that aims to make up to five pics a year", "Willie Nelson interview: Don't fret about the end of the world", "Willie Nelson gets 5th-degree black belt at 81", "Willie Nelson Arrested for Marijuana Possession", "Win the Weekend: Was Willie's Case Ever Settled? During the ceremony, Nelson performed the song "Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die". Nelson resumed his tour in September 2022. [134] 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. [171], Nelson owns "Luck, Texas", a ranch in Spicewood,[172][173] and also lives in Maui, Hawaii[174] with several celebrity neighbors. [16] Upon his return in 1952, he married Martha Matthews, 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. Impressed by his attitude, Nelson fired Reshen and hired Rothbaum as his manager. [63] The package was followed by the DEA, and Jennings was arrested. The release reached number five on the Billboard 200, Nelson's highest position on the chart since 1982's Always on My Mind. Contact [109] The third, which was held on April 20, 2020, was a variety show titled Come and Toke It. [2] While still at school, he sang and played guitar in The Texans, a band formed by his sister's husband, Bud Fletcher. [157] Friedman promised Nelson a job in Austin as the head of a new Texas Energy Commission due to his support of bio-fuels. Nelsons third marriage was to Connie Koepke (1971 to 1988) with two daughters from the marriage including Paula Carlene Nelson and Amy Lee Nelson. It also turns out Renee has a daughter, Noelle, who has a daughter, Jordan, who I am happy to now call my great-granddaughter., He called Mary a sweet lady and said he and his wife are happy to have Renee, Noelle and Jordan in their lives. Nelson is a major 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. [49], Shotgun Willie, released in May 1973, earned excellent reviews but did not sell well. On the way, Nelson stopped by the Esquire Ballroom to sell his original songs to house band singer Larry Butler. [89] The same year, Nelson recorded his first album with Buddy Cannon as the producer, Moment of Forever. [90] 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. [34] Its soundboard has been signed by over a hundred of Nelson's friends and associates, ranging from fellow musicians to lawyers and football coaches. Willie Nelson is an American musician, singer, songwriter, author, poet, social activist, and actor. After graduating from high school in 1950, he joined the U.S. Air Force but was later discharged due to back problems. [86] In the following year of 2005, Nelson released a reggae album entitled Countryman which featured Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals on the song "I'm a Worried Man". [203] In 1978, after he fired his manager Neil Reshen, Nelson was introduced by Dallas lawyer Terry Bray to the accounting firm Price Waterhouse. Raelyn went on to have three children, adding to Nelson's great-grandchildren. Thepair openly discuss how playing onstage with their father ultimatelyinspired them to pursue their own careers, to hopefully become something as great as their father one day. Micah and Lukas both started their own bands. Before his marriage to D'Angelo, Nelson had five additional children from two previous marriages Lana, Susie, and Willie "Billy" Hugh Jr. with Martha Matthews, and Paula Carlene and Amy Lee with Connie Koepke. Nelson, for instance, doesn't talk in the documentary at all about his son William "Billy" Nelson Jr.'s suicide at age 33. Susie Nelson, born 1957 in Vancouver, Washington. [96] With the new deal, Buddy Cannon returned to produce the recordings of Nelson. He also presented two logos with the pink equal sign, symbol of the LGBT movement. [6][7] Nelson's grandfather bought him a guitar when he was six, and taught him a few chords,[4] and Nelson sang gospel songs in the local church alongside Bobbie. [17] He worked as a nightclub bouncer, autohouse partsman, saddle maker, and tree trimmer again. Freewheeling through time and space, driven by rhyme as much as reason, Willie Nelson & Family arrives at the day Nelson was born in its second hour, well after covering his Abbott, Texas. The series concept received attention from cable channels that requested to see the pilot episode. [52] The same year, he produced and starred in the pilot episode of PBS' Austin City Limits. [127] 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). The channel was a result of the merger of his two other channels The Roadhouse and Willie's Place. Performance. Aint that something?. Along with an extensive music career, Willie Nelson has also grown quite the family. [163] 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, stating: "We'll look back and say it was crazy that we ever even argued about this". The country music legend has five daughters Lana, 69, Susie, 66, Paula, 53, and Amy, 50, as well as the late Renee Butts and . Nelson frequently talks about Lana on social media and often tags her in photos. The first one, featured the sign represented with two long braids; while the second one, featured the sign represented with two marijuana cigarettes. [83] A USA Network television special celebrated Nelson's 70th birthday,[84] and Nelson released The Essential Willie Nelson as part of the celebration. [185] During the 1990s, Nelson started to practice the Korean martial art GongKwon Yusul. Getty In July 2020, Willie released his album First Rose of Spring - an atmospheric soulful showcase of beautifully-written songs and poignant performances. [224] The statue was unveiled on April 20, 2012. Nelson has eight children altogether, one of whom is Paula Nelson (via the Daily Express ). 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.