A Biography of Willie Nelson: Country Music's Infamous Hippie

Willie Nelson is arguably one of the most influential, talented and controversial figures in country music. Although opinions vary widely on his singing ability and political views, most can agree that his songwriting is unparalleled and his guitar playing impressive.

Willie Nelson was born in Abbot, Texas on April 30, 1933. His love of music showed early. He was singing in church by age four, and it is said he wrote his first song at seven. He then began performing with John Raycjeck’s Bohemian Polka Band when he was ten. He was soon regularly playing honky-tonks and eventually ended up as disc jockey of his own radio show by his senior year of high school.

After high school, he joined the Air Force for a time, but was discharged due to back problems. He then enrolled in a farming program at Baylor University. Although he did not finish his degree, he continued playing honky-tonks, DJing, and writing songs during the 1950s. Willie Nelson’s first song, “No Place for Me” was released when he was 23-years old. He financed its recording and production himself. He married Martha Matthews in 1952 and had three children with her. They would divorce in 1962.

He moved to Nashville in 1960 and began writing songs for Pamper Music. Before long, his talent as a songwriter became apparent. In 1961, three Nashville artists had hit songs written by Willie Nelson—Faron Young with “Four Walls,” Patsy Cline with “Crazy,” and Billy Walker with “Funny How Time Slips Away.” He also signed a recording contract with Liberty Records in 1961, releasing the minor hits “Willingly” and “TouchMe.” The song “Willingly” was recorded with his second wife Shirley Collie, whom he married in 1963.