Music
November 18, 2022
Willie Nelson’s Latest Captures Him Performing Alongside Another Guitar Legend
‘Live at Budokan’ is a mythical lost recording of Willie at the height of his powers.
Outlaw Country
Music
October 22, 2021
Can Paul Cauthen Make Tyler . . . Cool?
The outlaw-country star joins an unlikely cultural movement in the Rose Capital of Texas.
Music
September 21, 2020
“Nobody Talks About That Stuff”: Waylon Payne on His Candid New Country Album
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.
Music
September 16, 2019
Ken Burns Talks Waylon, Willie, and How Texas Defined Country Music
The ’Country Music’ documentarian on the Outlaws, forgotten forces, and how Texas country music could bring us all together.
Music
February 21, 2018
Kacey Musgraves Has a Surprise for Nashville
The country music provocateur and East Texas native talks growing up, ”getting weird” onstage, and taking risks with her new album.
Music
June 15, 2016
His Mickey Mouse Ways
In a world full of evil dudes pretending to be good guys, Waylon Jennings was a good guy pretending to be an evil dude and never quite succeeding.
Arts & Entertainment
April 13, 2015
The Outlaws
When Willie met Scarface.
Music
October 29, 2014
Exclusive Q&A: Robert Earl Keen Explains Why He’s Going Bluegrass on His New Album
The outlaw country all-star is finally embracing the genre of his dreams—and bluegrass seems to be embracing him back.
Music
July 10, 2014
Billy Joe Shaver Is Still Alive
The outlaw singer-songwriter returns.
Music
January 21, 2013
Outlaw Country Radio Returns to Austin
A reboot of KOKE-FM, Austin's pioneering 1970s progressive country station, began broadcasting on Sunday, with longtime KVET personality Bob Cole as co-owner and morning DJ.
Music
January 21, 2013
LISTEN: Austin Outlaw Country Band Crooks With Flaco Jimenez
An exclusive preview of Flaco and Crooks' song "Heart Achin' Town," plus an interview with frontman Josh Mazour.
Music
January 21, 2013
The Red Hooded Stranger
Is Willie Nelson Santa Claus? We asked him that, and a few other things—like what it's like to get busted and get along with Pat Robertson and Snoop Dogg.
Music
January 21, 2013
Trigger: The Life of Willie Nelson’s Guitar
Most guitars don’t have names. This one has a voice and a personality, and bears a striking resemblance to his owner.
Music
January 21, 2013
Eight Great Trigger Performances
From "I'm a Memory" to "Here We Go Again," listen to eight performances that highlight the capabilities of Willie Nelson's treasured guitar.
Music
January 21, 2013
That ’70s Show
Forty years ago, Willie, Waylon, Jerry Jeff, and a whole host of Texas misfits grew their hair long, snubbed Nashville, and brought the hippies and rednecks together. The birth of outlaw country changed country music forever.
Music
January 21, 2013
Where Are They Now
Updates on the cosmic cowboys, redneck rockers, and other notables of the outlaw country scene.
Music
January 21, 2013
A Q&A With John Spong
The senior editor on writing about outlaw country, hearing Jerry Jeff Walker tell stories, and listening to good music.
Music
January 21, 2013
“Willie’s God! Willie’s God! We Love Willie!”
In this extraordinary oral history, Willie Nelson’s friends, kin, and collaborators (Jimmy Carter, Emmylou Harris, Robert Redford, Merle Haggard, and many more big names) tell their favorite stories about the Red Headed Stranger.
Music
January 20, 2013
The Coming of Redneck Hip
Rock and Country music met in Austin. That friendship may make the state.
Music
August 31, 2012
Not Fade Away
Can a posthumous release of Waylon Jennings’s last recordings keep his legacy from disappearing?
Music
April 30, 2011
A Conversation With Billy Joe Shaver
The outlaw-country legend on his recent acquittal, his songs, and his friendship with Willie Nelson.
Music
December 1, 1999
Entertainer of the Century—Willie Nelson
“Willie Nelson doesn’t fit the stereotype of a 66-year-old veteran of a profession that eats its young. The goofy grin he flashes conveys the vibe that he really and truly likes what he’s doing. We like it too.”
Music
September 30, 1998
The Improbable Rise of Lyle Lovett
Twenty years ago, he was inspired by the redneck rock of Steve Fromholz and Guy Clark. On his new album, he says thanks.
Music
April 1, 1998
Willie at 65
The Red Headed Stranger is about to be eligible for Medicare? Ain’t it funny how time slips away.
Film & TV
March 1, 1997
A Star Is Reborn
A year after Kris Kristofferson’s standout role in Lone Star, Hollywood is still marveling over his comeback. He is too. by Gary Cartwright
Music
January 1, 1996
Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson may not be a radio staple anymore, but a new tribute album recorded by some of rock’s coolest stars shows that his music is still moving to them.
Music
April 30, 1991
Poor Willie
When the IRS seized all that Willie Nelson had, it was a case of the man who can’t say no meeting the men who won’t take no for an answer.
Music
February 1, 1989
This is Now
Looking forward to Jerry Jeff Walker’s second Luckenbach, looking into a new way to settle feuds, and looking back over the career of Texas’ most prolific unknown author.
Music
September 30, 1988
The Good, The Bad, and The Country
In the small world of country’s New Traditionalism, George Strait and Steve Earle still manage to be worlds apart.
Music
August 31, 1988
Off the Road Again
Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic at Carl’s Corner was the picnic to end all picnics. It did just that.
Popular Music
July 31, 1980
The Armadillo’s Last Waltz
The imminent demise of Austin’s famed music hall already has Texans singing the Armadillo homesick blues.
Music
April 30, 1979
Running Wild with Jerry Jeff
His friends say the king of country rock is getting mellow. The question is, mellow compared to what?
Music
December 1, 1976
Who Killed Redneck Rock?
Love beads are out at rock concerts these days.
Music
July 31, 1976
The Passions of the Common Man
That’s what country music is, and that’s why it plays in Peoria.
Music
February 1, 1975
Near to the Maddening Crowd
Waylon Jennings in the dark corners of stardom’s light.
Music
September 30, 1974
Growing Old at Willie Nelson’s Picnic
What is it like to miss the sexual revolution (and some others) by a mere handful of years?