Early Life and Education of Willie Nelson: A Complete Timeline
An overview of the childhood and early education of Willie Nelson, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.
Willie Nelson is an iconic American singer-songwriter and guitarist, central to the outlaw country movement, rebelling against Nashville's conservative sound in the late 1960s. His albums 'Shotgun Willie,' 'Red Headed Stranger,' and 'Stardust' cemented his status as a leading figure in country music. Beyond music, Nelson has appeared in over 30 films, co-authored books, and is an advocate for biofuels and marijuana legalization, showcasing his diverse talents and activism.
1929: Nelson's Parents Move to Texas
In 1929, Willie Nelson's parents moved to Texas from Arkansas to look for work before Willie's birth.
April 29, 1933: Willie Nelson Born
On April 29, 1933, Willie Hugh Nelson was born in Abbott, Texas, marking the beginning of his life.
1950: Leaving School and Joining the Air Force
After leaving school in 1950, Willie Nelson joined the U.S. Air Force. He served for eight months before a medical discharge due to back issues.
1950: Graduation and Air Force Enrollment
In 1950, after graduating high school, Willie Nelson joined the U.S. Air Force. However, he was later discharged due to back problems.
1952: Marriage to Martha Matthews
In 1952, Willie Nelson married Martha Matthews, marking the beginning of his first marriage which was marked by violence.
January 22, 1953: Birth of daughter Rene Butts
On January 22, 1953, Rene Butts (born Lynda Renee Barley) was born. She was Willie Nelson's daughter with his friend Mary Haney.
1954: Enrollment at Baylor University
In 1954, Willie Nelson enrolled at Baylor University to study agriculture before dropping out to pursue music.
1956: Leaving Baylor University
In 1956, Willie Nelson dropped out of Baylor University to pursue a full time career in music.
1960: Move to Nashville
In 1960, Willie Nelson moved to Nashville, Tennessee, but was unable to find a label to sign him initially. He spent time at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge.
1962: Divorce from Martha Matthews
In 1962, Willie Nelson divorced Martha Matthews, ending a marriage marked by violence.
1963: Marriage to Shirley Collie
In 1963, Willie Nelson married Shirley Collie in Las Vegas, marking his second marriage.
1969: Acquisition of "Trigger"
In 1969, Willie Nelson acquired his signature guitar, "Trigger", a Martin N-20 classical guitar, after his previous guitar was damaged.
1970: Divorce and Ranch Fire
In 1970, Willie Nelson divorced Shirley Collie, and his ranch in Ridgetop, Tennessee, burned down, leading him to seek change.
1971: Divorce from Shirley Collie
In 1971, Willie Nelson divorced Shirley Collie after she discovered his affair and the birth of a child with Connie Koepke.
April 1972: Retirement Decision
In late April 1972, Willie Nelson recorded "Mountain Dew" as his final RCA single, and frustrated by the reception of Yesterday's Wine, he decided to retire from music.
1972: Move to Austin, Texas
In 1972, Willie Nelson moved to Austin, Texas, growing weary of the corporate Nashville music scene. The ongoing music scene of Austin motivated Nelson to return to performing, appearing frequently at the Armadillo World Headquarters.
1973: Turn to Outlaw Country
In 1973, after signing with Atlantic Records, Willie Nelson turned to outlaw country with albums like Shotgun Willie and Phases and Stages.
1975: Switch to Columbia Records
In 1975, Willie Nelson switched to Columbia Records, where he recorded the critically acclaimed album Red Headed Stranger. That same year, he also recorded Wanted! The Outlaws with other artists.
1977: Arrest in the Bahamas for Marijuana Possession
In 1977, Willie Nelson was arrested and jailed in the Bahamas after marijuana was found in his luggage; the charges were dropped, but he was banned from returning to the country.
1978: Introduction to Price Waterhouse
In 1978, after firing his manager Neil Reshen, Willie Nelson was introduced to Price Waterhouse to repay the debt Reshen had created with the IRS.
1980: Performance at the White House
In 1980, Willie Nelson performed on the south lawn of the White House, even singing a duet with First Lady Rosalynn Carter, showcasing his cultural impact. In 1980, according to a biography, Nelson also allegedly smoked marijuana on the White House roof.
1980: IRS disallows deductions for tax shelters
In 1980, the IRS disallowed Willie Nelson's deductions for tax shelters, increasing his debt due to penalties and interests.
1981: IRS disallows deductions for tax shelters
In 1981, the IRS disallowed Willie Nelson's deductions for tax shelters, increasing his debt due to penalties and interests.
1981: Lung Collapse in Hawaii
While swimming in Hawaii in 1981, Willie Nelson's lung collapsed, leading to hospitalization and canceled concerts.
1982: IRS disallows deductions for tax shelters
In 1982, the IRS disallowed Willie Nelson's deductions for tax shelters, increasing his debt due to penalties and interests.
1983: Nelson gave his braids to Jennings as a gift
In 1983, Willie Nelson cut his braids and gave them to Waylon Jennings as a gift during a party celebrating Jennings' sobriety.
1985: First Farm Aid Concert
In 1985, Willie Nelson helped organize the first Farm Aid concert to benefit American farmers, an event that has continued annually since.
1988: Divorce from Connie Koepke
In 1988, Willie Nelson divorced Connie Koepke, ending their marriage.
1990: IRS Seizes Nelson's Assets
In 1990, the IRS seized most of Willie Nelson's assets, claiming he owed $32 million due to unpaid taxes and weak investments.
1991: Marriage to Annie D'Angelo and death of Willie "Billy" Hugh Nelson Jr.
In 1991, Willie Nelson married Annie D'Angelo and his son Willie "Billy" Hugh Nelson Jr. died by suicide.
1991: Concealment of Trigger During IRS Issues
In 1991, during his IRS process, Willie Nelson concealed his guitar "Trigger" to prevent it from being auctioned off.
1993: Nelson Clears IRS Debts
In 1993, Willie Nelson cleared his debts with the IRS after settling the lawsuit with Price Waterhouse and releasing "The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?"
1994: Marijuana Found in Car
In 1994, Texas Highway patrolmen found marijuana in Willie Nelson's car near Waco, Texas; his court appearance prevented him from attending the Grammy Awards.
2001: Participation in America: A Tribute to Heroes
In 2001, Willie Nelson participated in the benefit telethon "America: A Tribute to Heroes", singing "America the Beautiful".
2004: Carpal Tunnel Surgery
In 2004, Willie Nelson underwent surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, a result of his continuous guitar playing, leading to canceled concerts and songwriting during recovery.
2004: Indian Ocean earthquake
In 2004, the Indian Ocean earthquake occurred. Willie Nelson helped fundraise for the disaster in 2005.
2005: Failed Attempt to Name Highway After Nelson
In 2005, a bill to name a section of State Highway 130 after Willie Nelson was dropped due to objections citing his controversial stances and lack of connection to the highway.
2006: Arrested for Possession in Louisiana
In 2006, Willie Nelson, along with his manager and sister Bobbie, were arrested in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, and charged with possession of marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms while traveling to Ann W. Richards' funeral, receiving six months probation.
April 2007: Interview about long locks
In the April 2007 issue of Stuff Magazine, Willie Nelson was interviewed about his long locks.
January 2008: Suit Against the Texas Democratic Party
In January 2008, Willie Nelson filed a suit against the Texas Democratic Party, alleging that the party violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
2008: Smoking Marijuana with Carbon-Free System
In 2008, Willie Nelson started smoking marijuana using a carbon-free system to avoid the harmful effects of smoke.
May 26, 2010: Nelson Cuts His Hair
On May 26, 2010, it was reported that Willie Nelson had cut his signature long hair, seeking a more maintainable hairstyle for his home in Maui.
November 26, 2010: Arrested for Marijuana Possession in Sierra Blanca, Texas
On November 26, 2010, Willie Nelson was arrested in Sierra Blanca, Texas, for possession of six ounces of marijuana found in his tour bus; an agreement to pay a fine to avoid jail was later rejected by the judge.
2010: Creation of TeaPot Party
In 2010, after his arrest for marijuana possession, Willie Nelson created the TeaPot party under the motto "Tax it, regulate it and legalize it!".
2012: Breathing Problems in Denver
In 2012, Willie Nelson experienced breathing problems due to high altitude and emphysema during a fund-raising appearance in the Denver area, requiring hospitalization.
2012: Nelson learns about daughter Rene Butts
In 2012, Willie Nelson learned that he had a daughter, Rene Butts, with his friend Mary Haney.
2013: Received Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of Music
In 2013, Willie Nelson received an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music.
October 2014: Braids Sold at Auction
In October 2014, Willie Nelson's braids were sold for $37,000 at an auction of the Waylon Jennings estate.
2014: Awarded Fifth-Degree Black Belt in GongKwon Yusul
In 2014, after 20 years of practice, Grand Master Sam Um presented Willie Nelson with a fifth-degree black belt in GongKwon Yusul, a Korean martial art, at a ceremony in Austin, Texas.
2015: Stem-Cell Therapy for Lungs
In 2015, Willie Nelson underwent stem-cell therapy to improve his lung condition, following repeated instances of pneumonia and emphysema.
2016: Rene Butts shares picture with Willie Nelson
In 2016, Rene Butts shared a picture of herself with her father, Willie Nelson, on Father's Day.
2017: Death of Rene Butts
In 2017, Rene Butts, Willie Nelson's daughter with Mary Haney, passed away.
June 2018: Nelson deplored Trump administration family separation policy
In June 2018, Willie Nelson publicly deplored the Trump administration's family separation policy, expressing his disapproval of the controversial practice.
September 29, 2018: Nelson offers free concert in Austin supporting Beto O'Rourke
On September 29, 2018, Willie Nelson performed a free concert in Austin supporting Beto O'Rourke's Senate campaign, and performed "Vote 'Em Out," later released as a single.
March 2020: Coronavirus Pandemic Lockdowns
In March 2020, U.S. coronavirus pandemic lockdowns began.
January 2021: Nelson Receives COVID-19 Vaccine
In January 2021, Willie Nelson and his sister received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
May 2022: Nelson Postpones Shows After Contracting COVID-19
In May 2022, Willie Nelson postponed several shows after contracting COVID-19, experiencing severe symptoms.
2022: Bobbie Nelson's death
In 2022, Bobbie Nelson, Willie Nelson's sister and a member of the Family, passed away.
2023: 90th Birthday Concerts and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
In 2023, Willie Nelson celebrated his 90th birthday with two concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
June 2024: Nelson Cancels Performances Due to Health Complications
In June 2024, Willie Nelson had to cancel his performances at the Outlaw Music Festival due to health complications, and was ordered to rest for four days by a doctor.
September 2024: Death of Kris Kristofferson
In September 2024, with the death of Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson became the last surviving member of The Highwaymen.
