Creating new country destinations is a tricky business. Some vocalists come up with a unique image, while others have a special sound. However, the influence of one singer can overshadow the merits of all his colleagues. These artists include Willy Nelson.
The first music teachers of William Hugh Nelson were his grandparents. Previously, both were engaged in vocals. The child’s first guitar appeared at the age of six, while his grandfather taught him the basic techniques of the game. Already at seven, Willy wrote the first single.
First steps
The biography of the future country star began in 1933. The boy was born in the town of Abbot on April 29. Parents broke up early. Mom started arranging her personal life, so did the father. The grandmother and grandfather were engaged in the upbringing of the grandson and his sister.
The boy became interested in music early. His career on stage began at the age of 9. At first, Willy performed with the local ensemble "Bohemian Polka". With thirteen, he performed in local entertainment alone.
Recognized country stars of his time became a source of inspiration for the aspiring musician. Nelson became a member of The Texans, a group created by his sister's husband. Sundays the young singer devoted concerts on the radio station "KHBR". At the same time, the teenager worked as a tree cutter, an operator at a telephone exchange, and even was a pawnshop employee. Finally, he decided to go to serve in the army.
Interest in music has decreased over this time. Willy decided that he would receive an education in a different field. After demobilization in 1951, he entered the university and even managed to become a family man. But he quickly realized that his calling was not in routine work. Willy left his studies to return to the stage again.
Before gaining popularity, he managed to visit a bouncer in a nightclub, a driller, and a storekeeper. In 1953, the guys were accepted into the Johnny Bush group. Then on the radio he was offered the place of a DJ. After gaining experience at several local small stations, Willie donkey in Vancouver. He received the work of the presenter on the radio "KVAN".
Success and failure
Soon, the young singer turned his attention to television. His songs began to enjoy success in clubs. In the studio, Nelson recorded the single "No Place For Me" in 1956. However, the first attempt was unsuccessful. Nor did he refuse optimism from the organizers of the show "Ozark Jubilee".
For almost a year, the desperate Willie did not touch the guitar. Finally, he tried to transfer the rights to his songs to Larry Butler, lead singer of Esquire Ballroom. But a colleague not only refused to take advantage of the plight of the singer, but also helped him with the job, taking him into his group.
Again, Willy began his DJ career on the radio. He simultaneously recorded several singles. "What a Way to Live" and "Man With the Blues" have been noticed by local professionals.
Inspired by success, Nelson tried to settle in Nashville, but failures awaited him in a new place. Then the vocalist decided to give concerts in the famous celebrity bar "Tootsie's Orchid Lounge". Many country songwriters began with it. The tactics were fully justified. Hank Corein drew attention to the young musician. Very soon, he helped Nelson with the contract.
At the Pamper studio, several songs were recorded by Willy, and after the departure of Ray Price's bassist, Nelson took his place. He again set about creating compositions. Successful became "Funny How Time Slips Away", "Pretty Paper", "Crazy".
Not far off was the recognition of Willy as a singer. His single "Willingly" hit the charts. Even more successful was the song "Touch Me". They became the basis for writing the debut album "… And Then I Wrote". His listeners received a year later.
Confession
The musician left work with "Liberty Records" and "Pamper Records" and completely switched to creativity. In 1964, "Monument Records" introduced his song "I Never Cared For You." In 1965, the collection "Country Willie - His Own Songs" was released. The vocalist met in Waylon Jennings. A couple of years later, Nelson created the band "The Record Men", released new hits.
The arrival of the seventies again collapsed. Willie not only lost popularity, but also broke up with his wife. In the end, he went to Austin. The hippie scene inspired the singer to combine folk, jazz and country. The music received a unique sound, which was called Nelson. The interest in the work of the singer again intensified.
He was invited to the annual Dripping Springs Reunion festival. The musician decided to organize his own event of the same plan. His "Fourth of July Picnic" ended at one of the country's most famous country concerts.
Willie began a partnership with Atlantic Records. He created the band "The Family" and began working with her on the disc "Shotgun Willie". Its premiere in May 1973 went great. The basis for the new collection "Phases and Stages" became events from the life of the author, and the music was enriched with the hit "Bloody Mary Morning".
A new conceptual experience was the release of "Red Headed Stranger" in 1975 with the single "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain". In sound and appearance, Nelson was so different from the already established standards that the direction was called "out-country" or "country outlawed." One of the first samples of the new genre was the 1976 disc "Wanted! The Outlaws", which became platinum.
