
We Asked Four Singers (and Ethan Hawke) Which Willie Nelson Songs They Love Most
Here’s what Steve Earle, Vince Gill, Margo Price, Kacey Musgraves, and the Austin-born actor told us to cue up—and why.
Willie Hugh Nelson, the unofficial patron saint of Texas music, is a country legend who has written more than 350 songs and released more than 100 albums (not counting greatest hits collections). He’s also known for his social activisim, co-creating Farm Aid. But his work with that organization is overshadowed by his support of the legalization of marijuana. (He’s been arrested multiple time for possession of the drug, most recently after being stopped at the infamous Sierra Blanca border checkpoint).
Here’s what Steve Earle, Vince Gill, Margo Price, Kacey Musgraves, and the Austin-born actor told us to cue up—and why.
Decades after Willie Nelson performed on the pilot, the show is now a national institution—but not too national.
Will Beyoncé finally get her Album of the Year award, and more we want to know.
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.
The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist celebrates two of the greatest players he’s ever heard.
Willie’s longtime producer and writing partner talks about how “Something You Get Through” came together and the way Willie changed country songwriting.
The four-time Oscar nominee talks “Too Sick to Pray” and the way Willie’s music has helped him build his family.
The nine-time Grammy winner talks “Permanently Lonely,” jazzy Django chords, and Willie’s beautifully harsh poetry.
Muscle Shoals bass player David Hood on ‘Phases and Stages,’ producer Jerry Wexler, and “(How Will I Know) I’m Falling in Love Again.”
The Americana singer-songwriter discusses one of Willie’s first iconic cover songs.
Willie’s longtime harmonica player discusses joining the band, stowaways on the bus, and “The Words Don’t Fit the Picture.”
One of America’s greatest songwriters talks Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, and Willie Nelson . . . and the surprising debt they owe “My Sharona.”
The 22-time Grammy winner talks faith, Ray Price, and the power of an irresistible first line in a lyric.
‘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.
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.
Our latest season of interviews with notable Willie Nelson fans debuts April 20.
Bobbie Nelson, pianist and older sister to Texas music icon Willie Nelson, died Thursday morning at 91.
Photos from this year's Luck Reunion, which welcomed back attendees for the first time since 2019.
The Nelson clan’s new gospel album meets the grief and trauma of the pandemic with spirit and hope.
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
Aging isn’t for the faint of heart, but Carlene knows what matters.
Plus, you’ll never guess who was doing doughnuts outside the studio during a recording session in Bogalusa, Louisiana.
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.”
On our latest 'One by Willie,' the celebrated producer and songwriter discusses one of Willie's darkest songs.
On the latest ‘One by Willie,’ Amy Nelson tells of a twenty-year quest to get her dad to record a beloved song from her childhood.
On the latest ‘One by Willie,’ Was talks Ringo, Bob Dylan, Sinead O’Connor, and ‘Across the Borderline’—his favorite of all the tracks he’s worked on.
For our Season 2 premiere of ‘One by Willie,’ Earle takes us back to his days as a longhaired, seventeen-year-old San Antonio kid.
Senior editor and podcast host John Spong will join Dallas Wayne for a special hour of music and conversation.
Thank goodness.
Plus: Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘Love and Hip-Hop’ audition is eerily prophetic, Nick Jonas stars in ‘Jersey Boys,’ and Selena Gomez drops a new Spanish single.
The Lumineers lead singer and cofounder on the power of lonesome songs during the holidays, and an apples-to-apples comparison between Willie and Bruce Springsteen.
The singer-songwriter talks the surprising complexity of Willie’s songwriting and a special request President George H.W. Bush made while Ingram was playing for him.
The legendary collaboration between Queen and David Bowie gets a remake by an intergenerational pair of icons.
‘Whiskey River’ had only one verse and a chorus, but Willie Nelson said that was all it needed.
Nelson’s rendition of ‘On the Road Again’ gets special treatment for this year’s all-virtual festival.
In the first episode of our new series, the Grammy-winning artist talks about writing sad songs and tells a great dirty joke she learned from Nelson himself.
An Austin man ponders the unthinkable.
We didn’t really need a reason to write a bunch of stories about the Red Headed Stranger. But we had a few.
Over the decades, he and Trigger have created an unmistakable—and uncannily human—sound.
Everyone knew Willie could write great songs and sing them too. But no one—except Willie, of course—believed he could masterfully cover Gershwin and Ellington.
The man from Abbott has never forgotten his humble roots—and has tirelessly devoted himself to helping others.
Before he moved his home and his headquarters out to the Hill Country, Willie conducted an experiment in communal living right in the heart of Austin. It was as crazy as you might expect—and helped turn a sleepy college town into the Live Music Capital of the World.
Learning to love Texas’s most iconic country musician, one song at a time.
Simple is simply moving to me: How Willie does so much with so little.
Join senior editor John Spong and artists you love for intimate conversations about the Willie songs that mean the most to them.
The progeny of two country stars, Payne, who grew up in East Texas, writes songs informed by his struggle with substance abuse, trauma, and redemption.
A portrait of the man, in the words of those who know him best.
Senior editor John Spong is the brains behind our special thirteenth issue of Texas Monthly devoted to the life and music of Willie Nelson. The issue publishes in August.
After living most of my life in Texas, I finally gave Willie Nelson a serious listen and learned a few things about my Nigerian mom.
Over the last three decades, a radio deejay has helped transform Brady into a place where twangy instrumentals reign.