Willie Nelson Facts about his Music Career
Willie was a member of The Highwaymen super group – In 1985, The Highwayman song became the inspiration for the naming of the supergroup the Highwaymen, which featured Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. It was a rare time in country music history that so much talent amassed for a single song. This song became the only song to reach #1 on the country chart by The Highwaymen supergroup.
The Willie Nelson On The Road Again song gained special honors – the original song was released August 7, 1980 and won a Grammy Award for Best Country song. Several decades later, this tune was honored to be selected as one of the three songs to be featured in the “Forever Country Song” as a tribute to the 50th Annual CMA Awards. In Forever Country, Thirty Country artists trade lines on three legendary Country Tunes including Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again”.
Willie has interesting musical influences – Willie credits Hank Williams and Frank Sinatra as important influences on his music career. “I learned a lot about phrasing listening to Frank Sinatra. He didn’t worry about behind the beat or in front of the beat, or whatever – he could sing it either way, and that’s the feel you have to have.” Nelson said.
Willie Nelson wrote the song “Crazy” – . Patsy Cline made “Crazy” famous and Willie Nelson wrote it. However a persistent husband and record plugger are credited with getting it recorded. Patsy’s husband heard Willie on a Jukebox and was the main person that pushed Patsy to record this Willie tune.
Remember to “share” these interesting Willie Nelson facts with other Country Music fans