Willie Nelson, The Main Figure of The Country Music Subgenre

Baca Juga

Photo Source: AFP via Getty Images

FEMUSINDO.com - Willie Hugh Nelson, with his famous name Willie Nelson, was born in Abbott, Texas, USA, on April 29, 1933.

He is an American country singer, guitarist, and songwriter and one of the main figures of the country music subgenre that developed in the late 1960s.

The success of his album Shotgun Willie (1973), combined with the commercial success of Red Headed Stranger (1975) and Stardust (1978), made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music.

In addition to playing music and singing, Nelson is a producer, author, poet, activist and actor who has acted in more than 30 films.

Writing Songs and Joining a Band

Nelson wrote his first song at the age of seven and joined his first band at the age of ten.

During high school, he toured locally with Bohemian Polka as lead singer and guitarist.

After graduating from high school in 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, but was discharged due to health problems.

Musical Success; Singer and Songwriter

After returning, Nelson attended Baylor University for two years but dropped out due to his musical success.

He worked as a disc jockey for radio stations in his native Texas and at several stations in the Pacific Northwest, while working as a singer and songwriter throughout the late 1950s.

In 1962, he recorded his first album, ...And Then I Wrote. This success led Nelson to sign with RCA Victor in 1964 and join the Grand Ole Opry the following year.

After having mid-chart hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Nelson grew weary of the corporate music scene in Nashville, and in 1972 he moved to Austin, Texas. 

Concert and Touring

The growing Austin music scene motivated Nelson to return to performing, and he frequently performed at Armadillo World Headquarters.

In 1985, he helped organize the first Farm Aid concert to benefit American farmers.

The concerts have been held annually since then and Nelson has been a regular, performing at every one.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Nelson continued to tour extensively and released an album each year.

Film Appearances and Notable Liberal Activist

Nelson first appeared in the 1979 film The Electric Horseman, followed by other appearances in film and television.

In addition to music and film, Nelson is a prominent liberal activist. On the environmental front, Nelson owns the biodiesel brand Willie Nelson Biodiesel, which is made from vegetable oil.

Nelson is also the honorary chairman of the advisory board of the Texas Music Project, the official music charity of the state of Texas. (*)