Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson, originally, Willie Hugh Nelson, an American musician, songwriter, singer, poet, activist and an actor was born on April 29, 1933. He is well recognized for his country music albums, Shotgun Willie (1973) along with the success of Red Headed Stranger (1975) and Stardust (1978). A subgenre of the country music, outlaw country, had Willie as a main figures, developed in late 60s. Nelson performed in more than 30 movies, and has active participation in activism of biofuels use and the legalisation of marijuana and co-authored several books. He was just seven year old when he wrote his first song and joined his band at the age of ten. He toured as lead singer and guitar player, locally with the Bohemian Polka during his high school. In 1950, he joined Air force but discontinued due to his back problems, after graduating from high school. He attended Baylor University on his return.

Since his music was succeeding, he dropped out after two years from college. In the same duration, he worked in Texas radio stations as a disc jockey and a singer in honky-tonks. In 1956, he moved to Vancouver, Washington and wrote "Family Bible" along with the recording of "Lumberjack" song. He recorded his first album in 1962, ‘And Then I Wrote’. In 1972, he retired and moved to Austin, Texas. The motivation for Nelson to return from retirement was the ongoing music scene of Austin performing frequently at the Armadillo World Headquarters. Nelson released ‘The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?’; the gains of the double album and the auction of Nelson's possessions cleared his debt in 1992. He continued to perform tours at different destinations along with release of new songs each year.

He uses a hybrid of jazz, pop, rock, blues and folk to create a distinctive blend of country music in his own style of singing behind the beat and gut string guitar. He made his debut in 1979 movie, The Electric Horsemen. Nelson is a co-chair of NORML advisory board, he fought for legalisation of Marijuana. In 2001, he was a participant of benefit telethon America: a tribute to heroes, following the September 11 attacks. In 2004, Nelson and his wife partnered in the building of two pacific bio-diesel plants. He has constantly supported LGBT community rights and released a version of Ned Sublette's "Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other" by Ned Sublette on itunes which faced an instant success. Nelson has proved his grounds at every level of his life from being a singer to an activist.