Willie Nelson

Photo of Willie Nelson

Biography

One of the most prolific and respected figures in American music, multiple Grammy winner Willie Nelson was a singer, songwriter and occasional actor whose five-decade career produced some of the most memorable country and pop songs of the postwar era, including "Crazy," "Funny How Time Slips Away," "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," "Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" and "On the Road Again. " He was also a founding member of the …
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Job Title

Actor, Producer, Writer, Music, Other

Born

William Hugh Nelson on April 30, 1933 in Abbott, Texas, USA

Career Milestones

2010

Earned a Grammy nomination for the album Country Music

2009

Earned three Grammy nominations, including one for his album, Willie and the Wheel, and one for his collaboration with Norah Jones, "Baby, It's Cold Outside"

2008

Appeared in the comedy "Surfer, Dude" starring Matthew McConaughey

2007

Second collaboration with Dukes' co-star Jessica Simpson, "Blonde Ambition"

2006

Released You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker, featuring songs written by the late Cindy Walker; earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album

2005

Cast as Uncle Jesse in the big-screen version of "The Dukes of Hazzard" based on the 1970's hit show

2004

Released the album, Outlaws & Angels; earned two Grammy nominations

1998

Had a cameo in "Half Baked" as an elderly 'Historian Smoker'

1996

Featured on the Beach Boys' now out-of-print album Stars and Stripes Vol. 1, singing a cover of their 1964 song "The Warmth of the Sun"

1993

Released Across the Borderline, with guests Bob Dylan, Sinéad O'Connor, David Crosby, Bonnie Raitt, Kris Kristofferson and Paul Simon

1990

Seven-year dispute with the IRS ended with IRS agents seizing Nelson's possessions (including the Pedernales Country Club and Recording Studio near Austin TX and his 44-acre Dripping Springs ranch, as well as properties in four other states and his instruments, recordings and memorabilia) in November, claiming he owed $16.7 million in back taxes, penalties and interest

1986

First credit as producer, "Red-Headed Stranger"

1983

Appeared in the documentary, "Hells Angels Forever"

1982

Made TV acting debut in the docudrama, "Coming Out of the Ice"

1980

First leading role in a film, "Honeysuckle Rose"; also wrote songs and music; earned Oscar nomination for Best Song for "On the Road Again"

1980

In the mid-1980s, Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash formed a group called The Highwaymen

1979

Made feature film acting debut in "The Electric Horseman"

1975

Became established star with release of Red Headed Stranger album

1973

Released what is considered breakthrough album, Shotgun Willie

1970

Moved from Nashville back to Texas after his Tennessee home was destroyed in a fire

1964

Debuted at the Grand Old Opry (November 28)

1962

Duets with second wife Shirley Collie hit the charts

1961

Had first success as a songwriter with the Patsy Cline song, "Crazy"

Moved to Nashville

Moved to Texas in the late 1950s; settled in Houston and worked as a disc jockey

1956

Released first album, the self-financed No Place for Me; sold over the radio in Vancouver, Washington

1943

Joined first band, John Raycjeck's Bohemian Polka Band

1937

First public performance, recited a poem at a church picnic at age four

Raised by his paternal gradparents after parents' divorce

Awards

2007

Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals

2002

Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals

1982

Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male

1980

Grammy Award for Best Country Song

1980

Academy Award for Music (Original Song) in Honeysuckle Rose

1978

Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group

1978

Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male

1975

Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male