Willie Nelson showed interest and promise in music at a young age. After being gifted a guitar by his grandpa at age six, Willie wrote his first song at age seven. He continued to be involved in music throughout his youth, singing in dance halls and honky-tonks to earn money.
Though talented and hardworking, Willie had trouble finding success at first as a recording artist. But Willie persisted as a songwriter. His popularity soared when he moved to Austin, Texas, in the 1970s and played his own style of country music known as outlaw country. He released iconic albums like Shotgun Willie, Red Headed Stranger, and Stardust, and became known for hit singles including 'Crazy,' 'Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,' and 'On the Road Again.'
Since then, Willie has released countless more popular albums and singles, solidifying him as a country legend. Not only that, he is a businessman, author, and activist - showing support to American farmers through his farm aid fundraising concerts.
Learn the fascinating story of how Willie Nelson has become a beloved American songwriter, well-known activist, and the country superstar we all know and love today.
This is Book 223 in the Who Was? Series. See all Who Was? books here.
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David Stabler is the kid-friendly alter ego of Robert Schnakenberg, a Senior Copywriter at Random House. Schnakenberg has written several books of pop history including Secret Lives of Great Authors (Quirk, 2007), Secret Lives of the Supreme Court (Quirk, 2008) and Distory: A Treasury of Historical Insults. His work has also appeared in The American Writer,
More about David StablerGail Herman has written several biographies and nonfiction books, including Who Was Jackie Robinson? and What Is the World Series?
John Hinderliter is an award-winning illustrator and fine artist living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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