The Will of God
I always knew that the work my dad did as an Episcopal priest and grief counselor was important. But I didn’t understand how important until the birth of my son.
John Spong is a Texas Monthly senior editor who writes primarily about popular culture, and he hosts the magazine’s popular music-history podcast One by Willie. He has been nominated for three National Magazine Awards, most recently in 2021 as coeditor and lead writer on two large Willie Nelson projects: “Willie: Now, More than Ever,” a special issue that was a finalist for best single-topic issue; and “All 146 Willie Nelson Albums, Ranked,” which was nominated for best digital storytelling. He has twice won the Texas Institute of Letters’ O. Henry Award for magazine journalism—for “Holding Garmsir” (January 2009), about a month he spent with a U.S. Marine platoon fighting in Afghanistan, and for “The Good Book and the Bad Book” (September 2006), about a censorship battle at an elite private school in Austin. He is the author of A Book on the Making of Lonesome Dove, and his stories have been collected in The Best American Food Writing and The Best American Sports Writing, among others. He lives in Austin with his wife, Julie Blakeslee, and their two boys, Willie Mo and Leon.
I always knew that the work my dad did as an Episcopal priest and grief counselor was important. But I didn’t understand how important until the birth of my son.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
When parents at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, in Austin—where the Capital City’s moneyed elite have educated their kids for more than fifty years—rebelled against the teaching of ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ it was, you might say, a learning experience for everyone involved.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
My best friend from high school is no longer the uncool, baseball-card-collecting goofball he once was. He’s a Navy surgeon and commander, and for two horrific weeks I got to watch him calmly and bravely save lives in wartime—not just Americans’ and not just soldiers’—in one of the most dangerous
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
He asked me if I was going to be white my whole life. I was, of course. But because of our friendship, I’m no longer the clueless upper-middle-class kid I once was.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Elmo Henderson’s entire life story can be summed up in a single moment: when he stepped into the ring in San Antonio one night in 1972 and knocked out Muhammad Ali. At least that’s the way he tells it. And tells it.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
He’s the brashest, most generous, most foul-mouthed trial attorney in the country. And at 89, Joe Jamail can still command a courtroom, mother%*!$#@.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
How did Guy Clark become the most revered songwriter in Nashville? One hard-won tune at a time.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
A veteran Hollywood screenwriter couldn’t have come up with a better narrative arc: Seeking redemption, 59-year-old reenrolls at university he was once asked to leave, tries out for football team, makes it, becomes one of oldest-ever players in NCAA history. Or at least that’s how the hero wants it to
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The tragedy of the Von Erichs—the state’s first family of pro wrestling—is well known not just to fans of the sport but to the many groupies who oohed and aahed at the matinee-idol athletes over the years. Still, you haven’t really heard the story until it’s told by the sole
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
As a kid I was the pickiest eater you have ever seen, and family meals gave new meaning to the words “food fight.” But I gritted my teeth and overcame it.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Before his anthems had listeners raising their longnecks and singing along, Charlie took me on road trips and taught me there was more to music than country.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
A supergroup of strings player helps take a mix of Willie anthems and deep cuts to a whole new, banjo-picking level.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The Nashville superproducer on “Time of the Preacher” and the one thing artists like Brandi Carlile and Jason Isbell all say about Willie.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
It was October 1992 and the Irish singer, who died earlier this week, was being excoriated in the press following her appearance on ‘Saturday Night Live.’
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The singer-songwriter talks about growing up as country royalty and Willie’s cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.”
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The Foos’ lead guitarist and ‘Shred With Shifty’ podcast host discusses an outlaw anthem and the technical specs of a great Willie guitar solo.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The Grammy-winning founder of Asleep at the Wheel on fifty years of friendship with Willie, with cameos by George Gershwin, Floyd Tillman, and Robert Duvall.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The singer-songwriter and virtuoso fiddle player talks faith, family bands, and her new album of duets with Willie Nelson’s late sister.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
On this special Father’s Day episode, Micah Nelson describes his dad’s “face-melting” guitar playing, plus his favorite sixties-era Willie song that most fans have forgotten.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The revered researcher, author, and TED Talker discusses faith, grace, acceptance, and the world’s favorite gospel hymn.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The legendary producer discusses art that exists only in shadows and the way U2 tries to summon Willie when they write songs.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The legendary singer-songwriter and longtime Willie buddy discusses a song many consider the national anthem of Texas, plus why drummer Paul English was not a fan of the Eagles.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
After years of struggle, Charley Crockett is on the verge of stardom. The story of how he got here would be unbelievable if it weren’t true.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
On this special birthday episode, Lukas Nelson talks about truly timeless songwriting—and the song that first made Leon Russell a Willie fan.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Willie Nelson covers ten songs written by his late friend Harlan Howard in ‘I Don’t Know a Thing About Love.’
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Here’s what Steve Earle, Vince Gill, Margo Price, Kacey Musgraves, and the Austin-born actor told us to cue up—and why.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Decades after Willie Nelson performed on the pilot, the show is now a national institution—but not too national.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The author of a 2014 Texas Monthly profile of King George explains why it was among the few stories in his career that made him cry while writing.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
‘Live at Budokan’ is a mythical lost recording of Willie at the height of his powers.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The musician, author, and columnist needed an idea. Texas Monthly’s then–editor in chief said, “Make something up.” The rest is history.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
It’s a song the California-based singer-songwriter has loved since she was a young girl—but she didn’t really get to know it until she heard Willie’s version.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
How Texas Monthly’s Paul Burka held the powerful to account—and made Texas a better place.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist celebrates two of the greatest players he’s ever heard.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The hard-core honky-tonker talks to us live from Luck, Texas, about “Face of a Fighter” and the other Willie songs he leaned on when he was homeless.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Creating Texas Monthly’s special podcast series ‘One By Willie: Live From Luck!’ showed me that, like Willie himself, the Luck Reunion is all about family.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The three-time Grammy nominee talks to us live from Luck, Texas, about definitive covers, Billie Holiday, and building her family with Willie records playing in the background.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Willie’s longtime producer and writing partner talks about how “Something You Get Through” came together and the way Willie changed country songwriting.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The four-time Oscar nominee talks “Too Sick to Pray” and the way Willie’s music has helped him build his family.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The nine-time Grammy winner talks “Permanently Lonely,” jazzy Django chords, and Willie’s beautifully harsh poetry.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Muscle Shoals bass player David Hood on ‘Phases and Stages,’ producer Jerry Wexler, and “(How Will I Know) I’m Falling in Love Again.”
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The Americana singer-songwriter discusses one of Willie’s first iconic cover songs.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Willie’s longtime harmonica player discusses joining the band, stowaways on the bus, and “The Words Don’t Fit the Picture.”
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
One of America’s greatest songwriters talks Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, and Willie Nelson . . . and the surprising debt they owe “My Sharona.”
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
On the 50th anniversary of his eponymous 1972 record, five renowned singer-songwriters—including Jimmy Buffett and Lyle Lovett—celebrate Willis Alan Ramsey.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The 22-time Grammy winner talks faith, Ray Price, and the power of an irresistible first line in a lyric.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
‘A Beautiful Time’ picks up where his "mortality trilogy" of albums left off, with an especially off-the-wall cover and new songs reflecting on life and death.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
On this special birthday episode of ‘One by Willie,’ Paula Nelson talks about “Devil in a Sleepin’ Bag,” a song her dad wrote about his longtime drummer, Paul English—who happens to be her namesake.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The singer-songwriter talks about “Are You Sure,” getting her granddad into Willie’s poker game, and a gift Willie gave her that she’ll never smoke.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Our latest season of interviews with notable Willie Nelson fans debuts April 20.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Bobbie Nelson, pianist and older sister to Texas music icon Willie Nelson, died Thursday morning at 91.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Mike Hall writes about criminals, musicians, the law, and barbecue.
A Spoon fanboy overthinks the new record, classic rock, cowboy hats, and Jeff Bezos.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Texas Monthly remembers Chester Rosson, a longtime staffer and resident gentle soul.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
The Nelson clan’s new gospel album meets the grief and trauma of the pandemic with spirit and hope.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Asleep at the Wheel (belatedly) celebrates fifty years of championing a genre once considered all but dead.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
With Willie Nelson turning 88 this week, One by Willie celebrates with one of his biggest fans and most frequent duet partners, singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow, who will talk about what may be the single best-known song he ever wrote, “Crazy.” Like the rest of the world, Sheryl initially fell in
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
Plus, you’ll never guess who was doing doughnuts outside the studio during a recording session in Bogalusa, Louisiana.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
In our latest episode of ‘One by Willie,’ Keen tells a whole host of entertaining stories while explaining his connection to Nelson’s “Mr. Record Man.”
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
On our latest ‘One by Willie,’ the Austin native talks ‘Always on My Mind’ and getting to scratch his name into Trigger, Willie’s beloved guitar.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
On the latest ‘One by Willie,’ Cash talks about that and much more while digging into Willie's 1959 hit ‘Night Life.’
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.
On our latest 'One by Willie,' the celebrated producer and songwriter discusses one of Willie's darkest songs.
John Spong writes primarily about popular culture.