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Willie Nelson Birthday Fun Facts: 25 Things You May Not Know About the Country Icon

Legacy Recordings

Happy Birthday, Willie Nelson! The country legend turns 79 today. In a career that has encompassed performing, songwriting, acting and activism, there are so many highlights to consider when looking back at the American icon's first eight decades. However you may choose to celebrate this special day (and we have a few ideas of how you might), we're commemorating it by pointing to 25 of our favorite things you might not know about Willie.

1. Willie Hugh Nelson was born April 30, 1933 in Abbott, Texas. Also born in Texas that same month were future TV stars Carol Burnett and Carolyn Jones ("The Addams Family").

2. Because he was born close to midnight, some sources list Willie's birth date as April 29.

3. Willie's sister Bobbie, who plays piano in his band, is two years older.

4. Willie was raised by his grandparents, Alfred and Nancy Nelson, who both studied music courses through the mail from the Chicago Music Institute.

5. The first song Willie ever learned was "Amazing Grace."

6. For his first-ever public performance, at 5 years old, Willie recited a poem.

7. Because he was so nervous about reciting the poem, Willie picked his nose until it bled, earning him the nickname "Booger Red."

8. Willie wrote his first song at 7 years old.

9. At just 13 years old, Willie performed with Bob Wills, the inventor of Western swing music.

10. In 1950, Willie played the role of Uncle Billy Babcock in the senior-class production of "Oh, Aunt Jerusha."

11. In addition to a stint in the Air Force, Willie has worked as a cotton picker, saddle maker, disc jockey and Bible, vacuum cleaner and encyclopedia salesman.

12. Willie was signed to Pamper Music as a songwriter. His $50-a-week salary was paid from a raise that fellow songwriter Hank Cochran was due to get but had sacrificed so Willie could be signed.

13.Willie's first album was titled And Then I Wrote. It included "Crazy," "Hello Walls" and "Funny How Time Slips Away," songs that would initially become huge hits for Patsy Cline, Faron Young and Billy Walker, respectively.

14. One night, Willie and Hank Cochran wrote seven songs together in the basement of Willie's home in Ridgetop, Tenn. Among the songs was one called "What Can You Do to Me Now?" The next day, Willie's house burned down.

15. After his house burned, Willie moved to Austin and later to Hawaii.

16. His first Fourth of July Picnic was held in Dripping Springs, Texas in 1973.

17. Willie's 1978 album of pop standards, Stardust, remained on the country album chart for 540 weeks -- that's 10 consecutive years.

18. In 1979, Willie made his big-screen acting debut in "The Electric Horseman," starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda.

19. The following year, Willie starred in "Honeysuckle Rose."

20. Willie wrote one of his most famous songs, "On the Road Again," while on an airplane with director Sydney Pollack.

21. In 1980, Willie played a concert at the White House for President Jimmy Carter and performed a duet with First Lady Rosalynn Carter. The song they performed: "Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother."

22. Willie Nelson's trusty acoustic guitar, named Trigger after cowboy star Roy Rogers' horse, is a 1969 Martin N-20.

23. While "Trigger" carries the signatures of many fellow artists, the first person to sign it was Leon Russell.

24. Willie worked to settled his 1990s IRS tax debt by releasing a double-album called The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?

25. Among his many honors, Willie was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993 and, for his support of family farms, the National Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2011.

Watch Willie Nelson Discuss Heroes

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Jackie Denney

when they had the Outlaw Concert on the Steiner Ranch I lived there and became friends with Doyle, Willies 1/2 brother? step brother .? some brother..and I got to go on the bus. I would say more, but what happens on Willie's Bus, stays on Willie's Bus.

June 28 2012 at 6:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Margie

Here's a true story about Willie: Most of his die-hard fans know that Willie still connects with his Abbott and West friends to this day. In the late 70's, the Wolf brothers of West owned a large club just outside of West by Scott Chevrolet. On Halloween weekend they held a" Best Costume" contest in which my brother, Larry Mashek, was a judge. I was visiting with my brother that night as he was standing at the entrance greeting each contestant when a fellow came in and shook Larry's hand. Larry took a double take at the guy and in his usual foul-mouth style announced: "I'll be got-damned! You look exactly like Willie Nelson!" in which the fellow replied, " I AM Willie Nelson!" It was classic Willie! Of course, I was thrilled because after that, Willie acknowledged me by giving me a big hug. He hung out at Wolf's until the wee hours of the night just like a regular. It was a fun evening for all.

June 28 2012 at 11:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jerry

Happy belated birthday Willie! I'm super excited to pick up Heroes on Tuesday!

May 14 2012 at 3:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mikey62

Happy Belated Birthday Willie, blazin for ya

May 03 2012 at 3:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jo Anne Turner

Happy Birthday Willie, you are my most favorite country singer and have been since I first heard you when I was maybe 11 years old. You have a style no one can imitate or copy. You are truly one of a kind. Love you and wish you many more Birthdays.

May 01 2012 at 4:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
freemanivey

i love willie nelson and norah jones my radio is always on channel 56 when i am on the road and off, keep it up guys your super. ivey

May 01 2012 at 3:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Michael Porter

Happy Birthday Willie !!! Your A Class Act & I Enjoy Your Music & Your Stance On Pot [I'm A Medical Pot Patient With A Liver Disease , I Get Tired Of Authorities Looking Down On Me, Because I Have A Medical Condition & Require Med Pot To Function, We're Not Criminals Because We Have A Disease - That False Perception Needs To Change ] - People Need To Not Judge You & Let You Do What You Do Best , Play & Write Great Music - Keep Rock N On !!! Michael Porter [The Celestial Realm]

May 01 2012 at 3:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ward Benedict

happybirthday have a purple bud on me

May 01 2012 at 2:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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