Music
November 19, 2021
‘The Willie Nelson Family’ Takes Us to Church
The Nelson clan’s new gospel album meets the grief and trauma of the pandemic with spirit and hope.
Willie Nelson
One by Willie
April 29, 2021
Sheryl Crow on ‘Crazy,’ Patsy Cline, and the Dream of Writing a Standard
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
Being Texan
April 29, 2021
A 90-Year-Old Texan Has Some Advice for Willie Nelson on His 88th Birthday
Aging isn’t for the faint of heart, but Carlene knows what matters.
One by Willie
April 13, 2021
Rodney Crowell on Bloody Mary Mornings and Recording With Willie Nelson
Plus, you’ll never guess who was doing doughnuts outside the studio during a recording session in Bogalusa, Louisiana.
One by Willie
April 6, 2021
Robert Earl Keen’s Car Caught Fire at Willie’s Fourth of July Picnic
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.”
One by Willie
March 9, 2021
T Bone Burnett on Murder Ballads and Willie Nelson, Holy Man
On our latest 'One by Willie,' the celebrated producer and songwriter discusses one of Willie's darkest songs.
One by Willie
March 2, 2021
How Willie Nelson Came to Cover Kermit the Frog
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.
One by Willie
February 23, 2021
Storied Record Producer Don Was on the Fragile Magic of a First Take
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.
One by Willie
February 16, 2021
Steve Earle on ‘Local Memory’ and Lyrics as Literature
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.
Music
February 12, 2021
Tune In for a Special ‘One by Willie’ Feature on SiriusXM
Senior editor and podcast host John Spong will join Dallas Wayne for a special hour of music and conversation.
Best Thing In Texas
January 15, 2021
The Best Thing in Texas: Willie Got the Vaccine, Y’all
Thank goodness.
Music
January 15, 2021
Willie Nelson Finally Shows Up for His SXSW Keynote, Thirty Years Later
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.
One by Willie
November 27, 2020
‘One by Willie,’ Episode 8: Wesley Schultz on ‘Pretty Paper’
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.
One by Willie
October 30, 2020
‘One by Willie,’ Episode 4: Jack Ingram on ‘I’d Have to Be Crazy’
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.
Music
October 28, 2020
Willie Nelson Singing ‘Under Pressure’ With Karen O Is the Duet We Didn’t Know We Needed in 2020
The legendary collaboration between Queen and David Bowie gets a remake by an intergenerational pair of icons.
Music
October 19, 2020
The Late Johnny Bush on How He Wrote Willie Nelson’s Perennial Show Opener, ‘Whiskey River’
‘Whiskey River’ had only one verse and a chorus, but Willie Nelson said that was all it needed.
Music
October 9, 2020
Watch an Animated Rendering of Willie Nelson From the All-Virtual Austin City Limits Music Festival
Nelson’s rendition of ‘On the Road Again’ gets special treatment for this year’s all-virtual festival.
One by Willie
October 9, 2020
‘One by Willie,’ Episode 1: Margo Price on ‘Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground’
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.
The Texanist
October 8, 2020
The Texanist: What Would the World Be Like if Willie Nelson Had Never Happened?
An Austin man ponders the unthinkable.
Music
October 8, 2020
Why We Need Willie Nelson Now, More Than Ever
We didn’t really need a reason to write a bunch of stories about the Red Headed Stranger. But we had a few.
Music
October 8, 2020
Willie Nelson, Guitarist
Over the decades, he and Trigger have created an unmistakable—and uncannily human—sound.
Music
October 8, 2020
Willie Nelson, Interpreter of the Great American Songbook
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.
Music
October 8, 2020
Willie Nelson, the People’s Champion
The man from Abbott has never forgotten his humble roots—and has tirelessly devoted himself to helping others.
Music
October 8, 2020
Willie Nelson, Landlord
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.
Music
October 8, 2020
I Wasn’t a Big Willie Nelson Fan. These Ten Songs Turned Me Into One.
Learning to love Texas’s most iconic country musician, one song at a time.
Music
October 8, 2020
Willie Nelson, Songwriter
Simple is simply moving to me: How Willie does so much with so little.
One by Willie
September 28, 2020
Announcing Our New Podcast ‘One by Willie’
Join senior editor John Spong and artists you love for intimate conversations about the Willie songs that mean the most to them.
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
August 18, 2020
“That’s Just the Way Willie Rolls”
A portrait of the man, in the words of those who know him best.
The Stand Up Desk
June 24, 2020
From the Editor, July 2020: “A Spong for You”
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.
Music
June 23, 2020
Texas First: How Willie Nelson Brought Me Closer to My Mom
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.
Music
May 16, 2020
How a Small Hill Country Town Became a Hub for Traditional Country Music
Over the last three decades, a radio deejay has helped transform Brady into a place where twangy instrumentals reign.
Music
April 29, 2020
All 145 Willie Nelson Albums, Ranked
The recording career of country music’s greatest artist, surveyed, sized up, and sorted on the occasion of his 87th birthday.
Best Thing In Texas
April 27, 2020
The Best Thing in Texas: Willie Nelson Is Autographing the Face Masks People Send Him to Raise Money for More Face Masks
The redheaded stranger is socially distancing—thank you for your concern.
Music
April 25, 2020
Listen to ‘For the Love of Willie,’ a Texas Monthly Radio Hour
On April 25, an uninterrupted hour on KUTX delved into the backstories of some favorite Willie songs—including a few you’ve probably never heard.
Film & TV
April 10, 2020
Hollywood, Texas: It’s the Start of “the Dennissance,” According to Dennis Quaid
Plus, Willie, Lizzo, and Kacey Musgraves announce virtual concerts, the ATX Television Festival moves online, and more.
Music
March 19, 2020
Don’t Worry, Willie Nelson Is All Right
The national treasure is even headlining an online benefit concert this evening.
Music
January 27, 2020
Texans Had a Big Night at the 2020 Grammys
Lizzo and Gary Clark Jr., who each took home three awards, delivered searing performances along with Demi Lovato and Tanya Tucker.
The National Podcast of Texas
December 24, 2019
Turk Pipkin’s Work Is “Christmas Miracle Fiction, and the Miracle Is Love”
On the National Podcast of Texas, the author of ‘When Angels Sing’ and the co-founder of the Nobelity Project on the spirit of Christmas, global philanthropy, and casting Willie Nelson as Santa Claus.
Music
December 18, 2019
The Best of Texas Music in 2019
Texans had a banner year for inimitable music releases.
Music
December 18, 2019
For Singer Bill Callahan, Home Is Where the Art Is
Forget the tortured artist clichés. The critically acclaimed musician began making the best albums of his life when he settled in Texas and decided to try being happy.
Music
December 4, 2019
Willie Nelson Quits Smoking Weed: A Look Back at the Couple’s Relationship Milestones
The pair have been inseparable for decades.
Film & TV
November 27, 2019
Kacey Musgraves Joins a Lineage of Texan Celebrities Who Have Starred in Christmas Specials
The country star's Christmas show premieres later this week.
Music
November 14, 2019
Texas Country’s Female Artists Take Center Stage at the 2019 CMA Awards
Kacey Musgraves and Maren Morris took home some of the biggest awards of the night.
Music
September 30, 2019
My Friend Spotted a 44-Year-Old Photo of Himself in Ken Burns’s “Country Music” Documentary
The story behind the story behind Austinite Mike Shea’s three seconds of international fame.
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
August 21, 2019
Texas’s Greatest Honky-Tonk Hits
From Ernest Tubb to Bob Wills to Willie, Texas has produced a jukebox worth of classics. Here are the best.
The National Podcast of Texas
July 15, 2019
Willie Nelson & Friends: Live From Luck, Texas
On this week’s National Podcast of Texas, the music legend details his lifelong love for westerns and his family’s golden rules.
Film & TV
July 9, 2019
The “Red Headed Stranger” Rides Again: Here’s What We Learned
We watched the recently restored 1986 film with Willie Nelson and fans in Luck, where it all happened.
Music
June 27, 2019
The Story Behind Guy Clark’s “My Favorite Picture of You”
I spoke to the man who shot the photo that inspired the song covered on Willie Nelson’s new album. (He’s my dad.)