The Willie Nelson Podcast Episode 2

As Willie Nelson entered his mid-20s, he made a living in Nashville selling his songs to the artists who recorded them. It may not have been the most forward-thinking plan, but it was what he needed to do the pay the rent. Sometimes the performers would be happy to aquire the rights to their latest […]

As Willie Nelson entered his mid-20s, he made a living in Nashville selling his songs to the artists who recorded them. It may not have been the most forward-thinking plan, but it was what he needed to do the pay the rent. Sometimes the performers would be happy to aquire the rights to their latest hit song, but there were some Nashville stars of the early 1960s looking out for Willie’s best interests. In this episode, Nelson recalls the unique deal he struck with Faron Young for “Hello Walls” one 1961 night at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.

We then move forward a few years when Willie left Nashville and became one of the central figures of the burgeoning Austin, TX music scene. Singer/songwriter Ray Wyile Hubbard details how it was in those early days with other homegrown artists like Jerry Jeff Walker and BW Stephenson. The scene also helped inspire Willie and Waylon Jennings’ “Outlaw” recordings away from Country music’s big business center in Nashville. Willie discusses those years between clips of his best-known duets with Jennings — “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” and “Good Hearted Woman.”

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Producer: Joyride Media