The creation of new directions in country music is difficult. Some vocalists come up with a unique image, others are capable of a special sound. However, the influence of one singer can overshadow the merits of all of his colleagues. Willie Nelson belongs to such artists.
William Hugh Nelson's first music teachers were his grandparents. Previously, both were engaged in vocals. The child's first guitar appeared at the age of six, at the same time his grandfather taught him the basic techniques of playing. At seven, Willie wrote the first single.
The first steps
The biography of the future country star began in 1933. The boy was born in the town of Abbott on April 29. Parents parted early. Mom took up the arrangement of her personal life, and my father did the same. The grandmother and grandfather were engaged in the upbringing of the grandson and his sister.
The boy became interested in music early. His stage career began at the age of 9. At first, Willie performed with the local band Bohemian Polka. From the age of thirteen he performed alone in local entertainment establishments.
Recognized country stars of his time became a source of inspiration for the aspiring musician. Nelson became a member of The Texans, a group formed by his sister's husband. The young singer devoted his Sundays to concerts at the KHBR radio station. At the same time, the teenager worked as a tree trimmer, an operator at a telephone exchange, and even was an employee of a pawnshop. Finally, he decided to go to serve in the army.
During this time, interest in music has diminished. Willie decided that he would receive education in another field. After demobilization in 1951, he entered the university and even managed to become a family man. But he very quickly realized that his calling was not in routine work. Willie left school to return to the stage again.
Before gaining popularity, he managed to visit a bouncer in a nightclub, a driller, and a storekeeper. In 1953, the guy was accepted into the Johnny Bush group. Then on the radio he was offered a place as a DJ. After gaining experience at several local small stations, Willie settled in Vancouver. He got a job as a presenter on the radio "KVAN".
Successes and failures
Soon, attention was paid to the young singer on television. His songs became popular in clubs. In the studio, Nelson recorded the single "No Place For Me" in 1956. However, the first attempt was unsuccessful. The refusal of the organizers of the show "Ozark Jubilee" did not add optimism either.
For almost a year, the desperate Willie did not touch the guitar. Finally, he tried to transfer the rights to his songs to Larry Butler, lead singer of the Esquire Ballroom. But a colleague not only refused to take advantage of the singer's plight, but also helped him with work, taking him to his group.
Willie began his career as a radio DJ again. He recorded several singles at the same time. "What a Way to Live" and "Man With the Blues" drew the attention of local professionals.
Inspired by his successes, Nelson tried to settle in Nashville, but failures awaited him in the new place. Then the vocalist decided to give concerts in the popular Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge bar. Many country songwriters started with him. The tactics were completely justified. Hank Corain drew attention to the young musician. Very soon he helped Nelson with the contract.
Several Willie's songs were recorded at Pamper Studios, and after Ray Price left the band as bassist Nelson took his place. He started composing again. "Funny How Time Slips Away", "Pretty Paper", "Crazy" became successful.
Willie's recognition as a singer was not far off. His single "Willingly" hit the charts. The song "Touch Me" became even more successful. They became the basis for writing the debut album "… And Then I Wrote". The audience received it a year later.
Confession
The musician left his job with "Liberty Records" and "Pamper Records" and completely switched to creativity. In 1964 "Monument Records" presented his composition "I Never Cared For You". In 1965, the collection "Country Willie - His Own Songs" was released. The vocalist met at Waylon Jennings. A couple of years later, Nelson created The Record Men and released new hits.
The arrival of the seventies turned into a collapse again. Willie not only lost his popularity, but also broke up with his wife. He ended up moving to Austin. The hippie scene inspired the singer to combine folk, jazz and country music. The music received a unique sound, which began to be called Nelson's. Interest in the singer's work has increased again.
He was invited to the annual Dripping Springs Reunion festival. The musician decided to organize his own event of the same plan. His "Fourth of July Picnic" ended at one of the most famous country concerts in the country.
Willie began working with Atlantic Records. He formed the group "The Family" and began working with them on the disc "Shotgun Willie". It premiered in May 1973 and went great. The basis for the new collection "Phases and Stages" was the events from the author's life, and the music was enriched with the hit "Bloody Mary Morning".
A new conceptual experience was the 1975 Red Headed Stranger with the single Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain. In sound and appearance, Nelson was so different from the already established standards that the direction was called "outlaw country" or "country outlaw". One of the first examples of the new genre was the 1976 disc “Wanted! The Outlaws”, which went platinum.
Family and stage
An increased interest arose in the new direction. As a result, the "illegality" manifested itself in the lyrics, and in the melodies, and in the audience. The compilations "Waylon & Willie", "Stardust", and the disc "The Sound in Your Mind", and the gospel album "Troublemaker" also went platinum.
Most famous in the early 2000s was Nelson's single "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys", based on the soundtrack of a popular computer game. The composer wrote tracks from the film "Honeysuckle", actively collaborated with other performers. Among them is Julio Iglesias. The pinnacle of success was the supergroup "The Highwaymen", which released three platinum discs in a row and went on a world tour.
The musician constantly gave concerts, recorded new albums. In the Billboard Parade, his hit "Beer for My Horses" peaked at number one for a month and a half.
The artist made several attempts to arrange his personal life. His first chosen one in 1952 was Martha Matthews. Their marriage lasted until 1962. They had three children, Suzy, Lana and Billy.
The singer began a new relationship with Shirley Colley in 1963. The couple separated in 1971. Nelson's new wife was Connie Coerk. She gave her husband daughters Paulo Carlin and Amy Lee. After parting with his wife in 1988, the singer found happiness with Annie D'Angelo. She pleased her husband with her sons Jacob Mick and Lukasz Outri.
Willie takes part in charity work. The musician is fond of martial arts. He has a black belt in taekwondo.
