Profiles in Time: Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson: The Early Years

Willie Nelson is now one of the most widely celebrated musicians of all time, but that wasn’t always the case. For years, his talents went unrecognized because his style challenged the more conservative and traditional aspects of the country music genre. He’s pursued his craft relentlessly for over five decades, regardless of popular opinion. Although he’s in his 80’s, Nelson still records and tours to this day.

Nelson was born during the Great Depression and primarily raised by his grandparents. They encouraged him to play instruments and sing, as both were musicians. He got his first guitar in 1939 at six years old. He then started writing his own songs, like his famous gospel hit “The Family Bible.” In 1947, at the age of fourteen, he joined a gospel group and played with them for the next few years while still attending school.

After graduating from high school, Nelson enlisted in the Air Force and relocated from his hometown of Abbott, Texas to San Antonio. He received an honorable discharge less than a year later due to a back injury. At the time, Nelson didn’t intend to continue to pursing his music professionally, so he enrolled at Baylor University. However, music continued to be a part of his life. To help make ends meet, he worked as a DJ at several radio stations. Eventually, he left school to refocus his life on his music.

His music career began like many others, playing gigs at local clubs or wherever he could. Even in these early days, he composed some of his most memorable works, like “Night Life,” “Crazy,” and “Funny How Time Slips Away.” By 1960, Nelson relocated to Nashville, Tennessee to work as a songwriter for Pamper Music. It was here that some of his songs became top hits for other artists.

Returning to Texas

Despite the successes of the songs he wrote for other artists, his own recordings didn’t receive the same recognition. His unique, gritty sound didn’t fit in with the more established sound of the country music genre, and his first two albums flopped. In 1970, his Tennessee home burned down, and he took it as a sign that he needed a change.

Nelson decided to return to his home state of Texas and settled in Austin. He quickly rose to the top of the city’s country music scene and began hosting his now famous Fourth of July picnic gatherings where he and other artists in the “outlaw country” movement performed. By 1975, the Texas State Senate declared July 4^th to also be Willie Nelson Day. He was starting to develop a following.

In 1975, Nelson finally received recognition for his work. His album Red-Headed Stranger reached number one on the country charts and crossed over to the pop Top 40. He also won his first Grammy Award for best country vocal performance. From that moment forward, Nelson was a star.

The Watch

After receiving the recognition he deserved, Nelson has remained grounded and used his success to give back, hosting charity concerts and countless other philanthropic endeavors. However, he did reward himself with one frivolous purchase: a yellow gold Rolex Day Date. Although he’s now in his 80’s, Nelson shows no signs of slowing down, and you can still find him wearing the iconic watch.

Check out our other “Profiles in Time,” like Johnny Cash

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Image Credits: Rolex Magazine.