by David Epley, Charger Staff
Willie Nelson is more than a country singer--he's also a performer and actor.
Willie Nelson's musical career began before he could even read. His father bought him a beat-up guitar at the age of six, and Willie started learning from his family's collection of records.
In his teen years, his playing really took off.
An older man, Bud Fletcher, gave Willie the opportunity to play at dances and honkytonks on the weekends while he was a teenager.
Becoming a popular local act, Willie had his own radio show. After high school, Willie had a brief stint in the Air Force.
Afterwards, he moved back to Texas and began working on his first recordings with D Records.
The recordings of Willie's first album never hit the charts, but a cover of his song, "Family Bible," went top 10.
Inspired by the success of this song, Nelson moved to Nashville where he took up songwriting.
Many of his songs had commercial success with other artists, but Nelson's own recordings never received any acclaim.
After being diasappointed by his failure to become and instant success, Nelson took his house burning down as an omen, and moved back to Texas.
With local support from fans and clubs, Nelson signed with Atlantic Records and recorded two of his most acclaimed albums, Shotgun Willie and Phases and Stages.
In 1975, Willie defied all of expectations of a country album when he signed with Columbia Records and recorded Red Headed Stranger, which yielded a pop hit, "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain."
He followed up this album with Wanted: The Outlaws. It became the first million-selling country album in history.
By 1978, Nelson had changed his course again and not only released "Stardust" (a collection of country standards that stayed on the charts for more than a decade), but embarked on his acting career.
Nelson played a small role in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me in 1998.
Now at the age of 63, Nelson still tours endlessly, but he says that lately he has found more time to "sit back and enjoy life."
Even still, Nelson is faithful to his muse, and has recorded a new album, Spirit.
One listen to this new record tells you that once again, Nelson has created a timeless masterpiece for the American people.
If you are interested in contacting Willie please write to...
Willie Nelson Fan Club
P.O. Box 7104
Lancaster, PA 17604-7104