10 Things You Never Knew About Willie Nelson…

Nina Karun

5 years ago

Willie Nelson, American musician, actor and activist celebrates his birthday today and we thought, maybe we could take you on a thrilling little trail for a peek at some of his wildest moments, over the years. We all know him to be quite a legendary figure in the music industry, but there’s a side to Mr. Nelson that not many are familiar with, and we’re shining the spotlight on just that!

1. Recorded ‘Red Headed Stranger’ for $4000!

Arguably the greatest country song in history was recorded on a shoestring budget! Didn’t expect that, did ya?
Credit: Tom Hill / Contributor

2. Willie got into a gun fight in Alabama

Not only did he play a titular role in ‘Barbarosa’, Mr. Nelson also got into a real life gun fight in Alabama in the late 70s!
Credit: Silver Screen Collection / Contributor

3. Willie survived a plane crash

Willie Nelson survived a plane crash and when asked about it he said, “Why, this was a perfect landing. I walked away from it, didn’t I?”
Credit: Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images / Contributor

4. No pretense, no fluff here

Got arrested with pot in Texas and made no fuss at all. He took his sentence without throwing the typical defense of, “Do you know who I am?” around.
Credit: Hulton Archive / Stringer

5. A Little Party Never Killed Nobody, But Did Cost Him A Bunch

Nelson threw marvellous Dripping Spring Reunions and 4th of July parties that cost him a bomb but never stopped him. Perhaps he’s the modern Gatsby, eh?
Credit: Rick Kern / Contributor

6. I am not a stranger. I am Willie Nelson.

The man got lost in Baton Rogue on a trail. He saw a stranger’s house and decided to go knock. His manager said, “You can’t knock on a stranger’s door.” Willie said, “I am not a stranger. I am Willie Nelson.”
credit: Kevork Djansezian / Stringer

7. Dennis Hopper is indebted to Willie, did you know?

Nelson barely knew Hollywood star, Dennis Hopper, but bailed him out of jail all the same in New Mexico. Wild, wild west indeed! Credit:
Silver Screen Collection / Contributor

8. Farm Aid was co-founded by Willie

Did you know, Willie Nelson,
Neil Young, and John Mellencamp co-founded the cornerstone American charity — Farm Aid? This man just never stops surprising us, huh?
Credit: Archie Carpenter / Stringer

9. Willie is a Fifth Degree Black Belt

He has been training in the art of Gong Kwon Yu Sul for the last 20 years! This totally proves that age truly is just a number.
Credit: Rick Kern / Contributor

10. He has his own town in the USA!

Willie has his own little town! It was supposed to be called Willieville but well, luckily, it’s not. Now, it’s called Luck — and it is in Texas!
Credit: Gary Miller / Contributor