Willie Nelson, the country music icon, is turning 90 this year and celebrating his birthday by hosting a star-studded concert at the Hollywood Bowl in April.
The birthday celebration has an impressive roster of heavyweights slated to appear, including Chris Stapleton, Snoop Dogg, Miranda Lambert, The Lumineers, Beck, The Avett Brothers, and several more. In fact, there will be more than 35 performers at this two-day event, so you’re bound to love multiple, if not all of them.
Nelson was born on April 29th, 1933 in Abbott, Texas, and was raised by his grandparents along with his older sister, Bobbie. He’s been writing songs since he was seven and joined his first band when he was 10. Bobbie played alongside Willie until she passed away in March of 2022.
Through his decades in the music business, Nelson has earned several nicknames: Red Headed Stranger, Ambassador to Weedville, Shotgun Willie, and Willie the Weedman. Anytime his name is mentioned, most people automatically think about a hippie from the ‘70s with his hair in two long braids and either a cowboy hat or his staple bandana tied around his head. That, and a man who loves his marijuana.
During his 90 years on Earth, Nelson has accomplished a lot, but it wasn’t easy. He struggled during his early years and was often rejected by the music world, but he never gave up and for that we are thankful. He’s authored a few books, helped legalize marijuana, appeared in multiple films, worked as a disc jockey, organized the first Farm Aid (a benefit concert for farmers), served in the U.S. Airforce, and was a member of The Highwaymen, a country music supergroup with Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings.
The number of awards and recognition he has achieved doesn’t do him proper justice. He’s won 13 Grammys, 11 CMA Awards, eight American Music Awards, and ranked as number four in CMT’s Greatest Men of Country Music. He was the first person to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 46th Annual Country Music Association’s awards ceremony and in 1993, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He even received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music. There are many left unmentioned as it would take pages to properly recognize Willie Nelson’s accomplishments and musical talent.
Some of his all-time greatest songs he has either written, performed, or did a cover of include “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up,” “Georgia on My Mind,” “Hello Walls,” “The Troublemaker,” “Whisky River,” “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground,” “Crazy,” “On the Road Again,” and “Always on My Mind.”
Sometimes you have to look back to know where you’re headed, and for Nelson all those hits from yesteryear are part of his past. However, we still have Nelson music to look forward to in the future.
Look for his next album “I Don’t Know a Thing About Love,” which is due out March 3rd. Early reviews are very positive for this cowboy with the single that was released January 17th from the forthcoming album, the single is simply titled, “Busted.”
Willie Nelson will also be performing in a few select cities around his birthday celebration dates. Between February 24th and May 28th, you can catch him in Florida, Texas, and Illinois. SoCal residents should make sure to see the incredible Hollywood Bowl show on April 29th and 30th.
Don’t miss your chance to see the living legend that is Willie Nelson!
