W illie and his sister Bobbie Lee Nelson were raised by their paternal grandparents. It was from them they received their love of music, and at the age of 6, Willie received his first guitar.

G rowing up, Willie was fascinated by various types of music, but had a great fondness for big band, country (Texas style), and especially the music of Frank Sinatra.

A s a teenager, Willie played honkey-tonks, and earned his money as a door to door salesman, and eventually got a job at a radio station. By his graduating year he had his own radio show.

A fter a brief time serving in the Air Force, Willie, at the age of twenty-three, single handedly, recorded, financed and sold his first song, "No Place For Me. By 1959, Willie had married, divorced, and had 2 children. He worked full-time as a DJ, and wrote songs in his spare time. One of the best of these was "Family Bible" which he sold for a little more than $100.00.

T he following year, things changed, and Willie started making some decent money, in particular, selling the song "Night Life" for an undisclosed amount of money to three Texas businessman. Willie bought himself a Buick convertible and took off for Nashville. Willie loved Nashville, and after only two years, he had established himself as a writer, selling two number one hits to Faron Young and Patsy Cline.

T ragedy struck in December 1970, when Willie's house burned down. Willie packed up his things and moved back to Texas. After living in Nashville for ten years, he had forgotten about the lack of musicians in Texas. With fewer candidates to buy his music, Willie soon became hard pressed to sell anything. Since he couldn't sell his songs, Willie did the next logical thing. He began performing his own work. During his first year back in Texas, Willie recorded two albums, "Shotgun Willie" and "Phases And Stages".

B y 1973, Willie's popularity had grown, and he started the first of many Independence Day picnics, which continue today. By 1975, his Red Headed Stranger album brought him to the charts, and really pushed him into the spotlight.

I n 1978, Willie started his acting career. He played roles in several films, including "Red Headed Stranger", "Thief", "Honeysuckle Rose", "Barbarosa", "Pair of Aces", "Songwriter", "Electric Horseman", "Stagecoach", and many more. Add to this television acting, and cameo appearances.

T he eighties brought duets with talents such as Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Neil Young, and many others. In 1993, Willie's "On the Road Again" was used in the critically acclaimed soundtrack to the movie "Forrest Gump".

W illie's latest release is Teatro which you can purchase in my Country Music Bookstore.