Willie Hugh Nelson was born April 30, 1933. He and his older sister Bobbie were raised by their grandparents in Abbott, Texas after his parents separated. Willie was exposed to music from a very young age due to the influence of his musically inclined grandparents.
This is the video Willie talked about his early years before he moved to Nashville: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1162207/m1/?q=Willie%20Nelson
In this video Willie reminded that he used to perform and spend a lot of time in the Broken Spoke. This is Texas’s most definitive dance hall opened since 1964. In 60s, this dancehall played host to a lot of country legends such as Roy Acuff, Tex Ritter or Bob Wills.
After sold some several first songs such as “Family Bible” and “Night Life” he moved to Nashville to established himself in the root/cradle of Country Music. Despite receiving a lot of recognition and appreciation from other Nashville artists for his talent; Nelson still can’t get the public’s notice at that time. After about 10 years struggling in Nashville, he has found ‘the promised land’ for his talent when he decided to back in Central Texas in 1971. Willie popularity recognized not only for his music but also his calm and warm presence on stage. Compared to other country or Western singers of the same time, who appeared with a neat and elegant appearance. Nelson gives a different look with long hair, beard, jeans and bandana; although this is somewhat informal, but very close and easily creates sympathy for his younger audience.
Back to his music, Willie’s unique musicality blends from many genres of music and delivery styles from many other legends. Recording to the description of the Country Music Hall of Fame official page:
“Growing up in central Texas, Nelson came under the influence of a wide diversity of abiding musical influences—not just the Grand Ole Opry stars of the day, but also more indigenous sounds: the Texas honky-tonk of Ernest Tubb, the western swing of Bob Wills, and even the German-American polka bands he often played in as a youth.”
some of his biggest hits:
His music challenged the music industry conservatism of Nashville at that time. Because it known as the ‘outlaw country’ subgenre. Another interesting thing that follow Willie Nelson throughout his music performing career is his part of Cherokee root (Willie’s mom, Myrle Marie Greenhaw Nelson, was three-quarters Cherokee). This brought him many fans among Indians around the nation and it’s also a part of himself that he always treasures and cherish. He once said: “My appearances at various Indian events over the decades have made me closer to my Indian heritage and helped me to understand more about who I am and why I think the way I do.”
This Native American headdress was given to Willie Nelson in honor of his American Indian heritage. He also was honored as the “Outstanding Indian of the Year” by the American Indian Exposition (an annual ceremonial and cultural event since 1936).
In the 1980s, when talk about Willie Nelson’s performance, people will obviously first think about the annual 4th of July picnic in Dripping Springs, Texas. Which attracts a huge amount of audience every year and now became part of Texas culture on and of for over 40 years. It was at first gathering hippies and rednecks converged in the Texas Hill Country.
Video: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1482937/m1/?q=Willie%20Nelson
Here is a video reportage about Dripping Springs from the KXAS-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas.
Through the reporter’s words, we can partly feel the craziness and the heat of it:
“That might sound simple, but it’s not the crowd and no one knows for sure how many people were here covered one hundred acres of Texas Hill Country.”
“The pastor said Willie’s not the president of the United States, but pastors were needed to go almost anywhere on the grounds.”
“Remember to keep your cool eye or to keep from being carried away.”
Nelson and some other entertainers organized Farm Aid concerts in order to raised money to help failing family farms keep their land. Even their effort relieved to many individuals, but the family farms in general somehow still disappeared with the flow of time. However the legacy and inspiration it brought is a wonderful thing, and is cherished to this day.
In addition to an illustrious music career with 17 Grammy Awards, Willie Nelson also gained a lot of attention and appreciation in the field of acting. Willie has been in quite a few films, and many of them have been successful, making him a highly regarded and well-liked actor. Among them, the role that brought Willie the greatest success and also ranks among the all-time classic roles is ‘Barbarosa’. Critic Pauline Kael once said in her interview of ‘Barbarosa’ movie: “Willie is probably the most acceptable noble American in modern movies”. Also, Bill Wittliff, who wrote and produced Barbarosa talked about Willie’s acting ability: “Willie is a natural actor in that he can deliver the truth of a scene if he can identify with that truth. He wants to be directed. He is open and giving and enormously hungry to learn and do well.”
This sombrero worn by Nelson in Barbarosa movie.
Barbarosa depicts the story of Barbarosa, who unwillingly joins forces with Karl. After inadvertent bloodshed, they two both are dragged into the Texas wilderness and chased by people they once called family. Nelson also confirmed that this is one of his favorite roles, he said: “Barbarosa was just like me, misunderstood.” perhaps the reason for this saying is because of his nomadic and traveling life. It is also possible that he easily attached to this character because of the lack of affection from his parents and the hardships of his childhood and adolescence.
Work cites:
“Sombrero from Barbarosa.” Bullock Texas State History Museum, https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/artifacts/sombrero-from-barbarosa-spotlight-4-1-20.
“American Indian Headdress.” Bullock Texas State History Museum, https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/artifacts/willie-nelson-american-indian-headdress.
Nelson. “Willie Nelson.” The Wittliff Collections, The Wittliff Collections, 27 Oct. 2017, https://www.thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu/research/a-z/nelson.html.
Cartwright, Gary. “Willie, the Actor.” Texas Monthly, 1 May 1991, https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/willie-the-actor/.
