Taste of Country » Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson Gives Big to Devastated West, Texas Area Following Explosion

Christina Vinson — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:30:43 +0000

Willie Nelson has made a lasting and memorable contribution to country music, solidifying his status as an icon. At 80, he continues to make himself known — not only in music, but also as a kind heart. The singer recently turned his birthday bash into a benefit for the victims of last month’s West, Texas fertilizer [...]

Willie Nelson, Darius Rucker Awarded Honorary Doctorates

Sterling Whitaker — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:00:30 +0000

It proved an interesting weekend for higher education in country music circles last weekend, as country stars Willie Nelson and Darius Rucker both became honorary doctors of music. 80-year-old Nelson was honored by Berklee College of Music in Boston on Saturday night (May 11), alongside Carole King and Annie Lennox. “I was going to ask [...]

Willie Nelson Auditions for 'The Hobbit 2′ in Hilarious Clip

Megan Pacella — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:00:49 +0000

Willie Nelson is celebrating 80, and it doesn’t seem like he’s slowing down one bit. Shotgun Willie took some time to create a hilarious audition video for Peter Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit 2,’ stating that he really wants to play the role of “the wizard Ganda.” For starters, fans of ‘The Hobbit’ know that the wizard’s [...]

Willie Nelson Celebrates 80th Birthday With 'CMT Crossroads' Special

Sterling Whitaker — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:47:13 +0000

Iconic country musician Willie Nelson will celebrate his 80th birthday on April 30. He marked the special occasion by taping a special for CMT in Nashville last week. Nelson was joined by an all-star roster for a special episode of CMT Crossroads titled 'Willie Nelson and Friends from Third Man Records.'

Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson + More to Join Zac Brown Band at the 2013 Southern Ground Music and Food Festival

Megan Pacella — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:49:54 +0000

After a great first run in Nashville last year, the Southern Ground Music and Food Festival will return to Music City September 27-28, 2013. Of course, Zac Brown Band will be back with a host of friends from country music and other genres to make this year's sensory experience even better.

Miranda Lambert Featured on Willie Nelson's Next Album

Sterling Whitaker — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 14:35:10 +0000

The ink is barely dry on the cover of Willie Nelson's most recent album release, 'Let's Face the Music and Dance.' But the legendary country star is already working on his next project, which he has been cutting in Nashville. The disc features duets with some of the top female vocalists in the world -- including Miranda Lambert.

Willie Nelson Using Birthday Concert to Benefit West, Texas Victims

Christina Vinson — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:00:12 +0000

There are many country music artists who are reeling from the recent tragic explosion in West, Texas at the West Fertilizer Co. It hits especially close to home for the iconic Willie Nelson, as the accident happened in a town six miles south of his hometown of Abbott, Texas. The legend taking action and turning his 80th birthday celebration into a benefit concert for the West Volunteer Fire Department.

Keith Urban's Fourth Annual We're All for the Hall Benefit: Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Tim McGraw + More – Pictures

Amy Sciarretto — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Keith Urban's Fourth Annual We're All for the Hall concert -- which exists to benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville -- was held Tuesday (April 16) at the Bridgestone Arena in Music City. Country icons and contemporary acts were in the house to help support Urban's efforts -- everyone from Tim McGraw and Eric Church to Willie Nelson to Vince Gill and more.

Willie Nelson, 'Let's Face the Music and Dance' – Album Review

Billy Dukes — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:30:25 +0000

'Let's Face the Music and Dance' is a great place for a young country music fan to meet Willie Nelson. It won't be his most famous, and it won't create any hit singles. This wonderfully consistent effort proves what longtime fans of the legend already know: At 79 years old (80 on April 30), Nelson is still as important and skilled a vocalist as there is in country music.

Willie Nelson and Family, 'Let's Face the Music and Dance' – Album Stream

Billy Dukes — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:30:50 +0000

Willie Nelson's 80th birthday celebration begins with the release of a new album on April 16. The country music legend will reveal 'Let's Face the Music and Dance,' which you can listen to in full in advance with this online stream on Taste of Country.

Megadeth Recruit Willie Nelson for Collaboration?

Sterling Whitaker — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:00:29 +0000

Country music legend Willie Nelson is always up for a collaboration, but this one takes the cake. The 79-year-old music icon recently ran into Dave Mustaine -- the frontman for the thrash metal band Megadeth -- at a restaurant in Texas, leading to the metal guitarist suggest a guest appearance for Nelson on the group's upcoming album.

Paul Anka (Feat. Willie Nelson), 'Crazy' – Song Premiere

Billy Dukes — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:00:20 +0000

Paul Anka releases his new album of collaborations next week, and he's included a couple of all-time country greats. Fans and ToC readers get a first listen of his recording of 'Crazy' with Willie Nelson in this audio stream, exclusive to Taste of Country. 'Duets' is available on April 9, the same day Anka releases his memoir, 'My Way: An Autobiography.'

Willie Nelson on Gay Marriage: 'I'd Never Marry a Guy I Didn't Like'

Christina Vinson — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:22:35 +0000

Willie Nelson may be approaching his 80th birthday, but he's still a spitfire with a whole lot to say -- and he's not afraid to speak his mind, especially when it's a cause he believes in. Nelson recently opened up on his views of the Supreme Court's consideration of gay rights and same-sex marriage, and he was his usual 'Shotgun Willie' self.

Willie Nelson Releasing Record Store Day Exclusive

Sterling Whitaker — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:00:40 +0000

The legendary Willie Nelson is pitching in to support independent music retailers everywhere at the upcoming 2013 Record Store Day. The music icon will offer a vinyl exclusive of a song that pays sly tribute to his favorite pastime -- and just in time for his 80th birthday.

Willie Nelson to Receive Honorary Doctorate From Berklee

Christina Vinson — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:00:33 +0000

Willie Nelson continues to show everyone that life can get even more rewarding as the years fly by. He’s one of country music’s greatest ‘Heroes,’ and it’s fitting that with all his success and accomplishments, Nelson will receive an honorary doctor of music degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music. The iconic outlaw country singer, [...]

Willie Nelson Shares Stories, Inspiration Behind 'Let's Face the Music and Dance' Album – Exclusive Video

Billy Dukes — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:57:46 +0000

Fans are treated to rare studio and interview footage of Willie Nelson discussing and recording the songs on his forthcoming 'Let's Face the Music and Dance' album in a new video exclusively on Taste of Country. Nelson talks casually about several of the classic covers he chose for the project -- available April 16 -- while producer Buddy Cannon fills in the details.

Keith Urban Announces Date, Lineup for 2013 We're All for the Hall Benefit Concert

Cory Stromblad — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:49:21 +0000

Keith Urban will momentarily step away from his ‘American Idol‘ duties to host his fourth-annual We’re All for the Hall benefit concert, scheduled for April 16 at Nashville’s Bridgetone Arena. This year’s concert has adopted a ‘Rebels and Renegades, the Outlaws are IN’ theme and will feature performances from country music’s most rebellious artists, including [...]

Remember When Willie Nelson Settled His Tax Bill?

Billy Dukes — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 14:05:18 +0000

Twenty years ago, on Feb. 2, 1993, Willie Nelson settled his $16.7 million tax bill for around $9 million. The trouble began when the IRS decided that tax shelters his accountants set up were not valid. A massive audit resulted in the government seizing much of his property and selling it at auction.

Willie Nelson Spoofs Blake Shelton, Beyonce With Humorous Tour Announcement

Sterling Whitaker — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:22:17 +0000

Country music legend Willie Nelson spoofs reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Blake Shelton and pop star Beyonce in a comical new post on his website announcing the 2013 Old Farts and Jacka-- Tour -- a clear reference to Shelton's recent comments that drew the ire of country star Ray Price.

Willie Nelson, Little Big Town Booked for Jazz Fest 2013 in New Orleans

Cory Stromblad — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 17:00:28 +0000

Willie Nelson and Little Big Town will represent country music proudly at the 2013 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, a two-weekend event that celebrates Louisiana’s musical culture with a diverse lineup of music’s biggest names. Nelson is scheduled to perform alongside his family band on May 3, with the ‘Tornado’ hitmakers slated to appear [...]

2013 Taste of Country Music Festival Lineup Profile: Willie Nelson and Family

Billy Dukes — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 21:00:54 +0000

Experiencing Willie Nelson live is a bucket list item for any true country fan. The legendary hitmaker and songwriter will release a new album in 2013, and will once again hit the road with his family band to bring real country music to fans across America. This June, Willie Nelson and Family will headline the Taste of Country Music Festival at Hunter Mountain in New York.

Announcing the Inaugural Taste of Country Music Festival at Hunter Mountain

Taste of Country Staff — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:58:09 +0000

Over a dozen of country music's biggest stars will call Hunter Mountain home for three days this June. The inaugural Taste of Country Music Festival is three days of music and camping in the Catskill Mountains of New York, with Lady Antebellum, Willie Nelson, Trace Adkins and Hunter Hayes among the first confirmed acts.

Willie Nelson Sets Release Date for New 'Let's Face the Music and Dance' Album

Cory Stromblad — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:00:04 +0000

Willie Nelson is almost 80, but the country superstar will stay as relevant as ever with the release of 'Let's Face the Music and Dance,' a collection of one of the prolific entertainer's favorites. The project will include classics from a wide range of genres, including songs by Irving Berlin, Carl Perkins, Django Reinhardt and Spade Cooley.

Best Country Collaboration of 2012? – Readers Poll

Billy Dukes — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:00:12 +0000

The year has ended with a flourish of high-profile collaborations from top country music stars. Jason Aldean pulled two of the hottest males artists in Nashville into the same room to record 'The Only Way I Know' in 2012, while Kelly Clarkson convinced Vince Gill to lend his voice and guitar to 'Don't Rush.' These are the most recent, but hardly the only collaborations from the banner year. What was the best musical match-up from 2012?

Willie Nelson on Marijuana: 'I Haven't Seen Any Side Effects That Are Harmful to Me'

Cory Stromblad — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:30:48 +0000

Willie Nelson is an avid supporter of the recreational use of marijuana — so much so that the country icon titled his new autobiography, ‘Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I’m Gone’ after his favorite non-musical pastime. Nelson sat down with ‘The Today Show’ last week to plug his new project — his recent [...]

Remember Which Country Album Was the First to Be Certified Platinum?

Billy Dukes — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 14:00:51 +0000

Platinum certification for one million albums sold didn't begin until 1976, so while other recordings may have soared past this sales mark, 'Wanted: The Outlaws' became the first official platinum album that year. The project featured Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter and it would eventually go on to be certified double platinum.

Willie Nelson on President Obama: 'I'll Probably Vote for Him'

Sterling Whitaker — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:00:36 +0000

The legendary Willie Nelson may have endorsed Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson in the 2012 presidential race, but when it comes down to a choice between President Obama and his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, it looks like the entertainer has chosen to go with the incumbent president.

Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Faith Hill + Tim McGraw Salute Willie Nelson With All-Star Jam at 2012 CMA Awards

Amy Sciarretto — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 03:28:17 +0000

The 2012 CMA Awards held a tribute to country icon Willie Nelson in the form of a jam session with some of the genre’s A-listers. Lady Antebellum kicked things off with ‘You Were Always on My Mind,’ lead by Charles Kelley before Hillary Scott came to do her thing. Lady A then sang several bars [...]

Willie Nelson – Most Political Country Singers

Billy Dukes — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 20:09:19 +0000

Willie Nelson gave over $6K to political causes between 1992 and 2007, and was a vocal supporter of Dennis Kucinich in the 2008 presidential election. He hasn’t weighed in officially on the 2012 race, but it’s likely he’ll favor a candidate with a plan to help America’s farmers. The singer and avid proponent of friendly marijuana laws [...]

Willie Nelson – Country Star Cameos on 'The Simpsons'

Billy Dukes — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:39:04 +0000

Willie Nelson plays an integral role in a year 2000 episode of ‘The Simpsons’ called ‘Behind the Laughter.’ It’s a mockumentary of the way VH1 creates ‘Behind the Music.’ After 11 successful years on television, the family is unable to avoid the trappings of fame and success and soon find themselves jailed, broke and not speaking [...]