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The country music legend has five daughters Lana, 69, Susie, 66, Paula, 53, and Amy, 50, as well as the late Renee Butts and . He served in the U.S. Air Force before becoming a disc jockey in Texas, Oregon, and California during the 1950s. It also turns out Renee has a daughter, Noelle, who has a daughter, Jordan, who I am happy to now call my great-granddaughter., He called Mary a sweet lady and said he and his wife are happy to have Renee, Noelle and Jordan in their lives. The couple had three children: Lana, Susie, and Willie "Billy" Hugh Jr. Getty Images. On the way, Nelson stopped by the Esquire Ballroom to sell his original songs to house band singer Larry Butler. The establishment had about 80 employees,[131] and was used as a concert hall with a bar and a 1,000 square feet (93m2) dance floor. In new mini-documentary, Willie Nelson talks about being a father on the road, and sits down for a remarkable performance with sons Lukas and Micah.Get the f. [110] Some of the content was cannabis-themed, and some of the proceeds will be used to support The Last Prisoner Project, a restorative justice program relating to persons convicted of cannabis related crimes. First, to a woman named Martha Matthews, and the two were together from 1952-1962. Willie married second to Shirley Collie. Willies sons, Lukas and Micah, however, disagree with his self-criticism. Haggard has a look of complete joy on his face throughout the session in the old-timey recording setup once used by his musical heroes. [16] Upon his return in 1952, he married Martha Matthews, and from 1954 to 1956 studied agriculture at Baylor University, where he joined the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, until dropping out to pursue a career in music. [4] His next book, A Tale Out of Luck, published in 2008 and co-authored by Mike Blakely, was Nelson's first fictional book. [46], Nelson decided to return to the recording business, he signed Neil Reshen as his manager to negotiate with RCA, who got the label to agree to end his contract upon repayment of $14,000. Although Columbia was reluctant to release an album with primarily a guitar and piano for accompaniment, Nelson and Waylon Jennings insisted. Among Inductees To National Recording Register", "It's All Going to Shot: Willie Nelson Gets the Covid Vaccine", "Willie Nelson haircut: Country singer chops off trademark long tresses and debuts shorter new look", "Willie Nelson Delivers True 'Country Music', "Willie Nelson wins Grammy for best country album and best country solo performance", "Willie Nelson hosting 'Come and Toke It' variety show on 4/20", "Willie Nelson's Mug Shot From Last Friday Night", "Willie Nelson, the Silver-Headed Stranger", "Willie Nelson's Wife Annie Opens Up About Her Husband's Nerve-Wracking Battle With COVID-19", "Willie Nelson: 'If We Made Marijuana Legal, We'd Save a Whole Lotta Money and Lives', "Hear Willie Nelson's Studio Version of New Song 'Vote 'Em Out', "Willie Nelson to open chain of marijuana stores", "Willie's God! [165] During his Fourth of July Picnic, he performed a song with Beto O'Rourke, the Democratic candidate for the Senate election in Texas. His duet with Keith, "Beer for My Horses", was released as a single and topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts for six consecutive weeks in 2003,[82] while the accompanying video won an award for "Best Video" at the 2004 Academy of Country Music Awards. Nelson moved with his family to Pleasanton, Texas, where he auditioned for a job as a DJ at KBOP. [18] He then had stints working for KDNT in Denton, KCUL, and KCNC in Fort Worth, where he hosted The Western Express, taught Sunday school, and played in nightclubs. "Willie Nelson & Family" features both archival footage and new interviews with Nelson, his late sister Bobbie, and many other fellow musicians and friends. In the April 2007 issue of Stuff Magazine Nelson was interviewed about his long locks. [114], For his releases of The Willie Nelson Family (2021) and A Beautiful Time (2022), Nelson received four nominations for the 65th Annual Grammy Awards winning in two categories: Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Album. [163] During an interview with Texas Monthly in 2013, regarding the Defense of Marriage Act and Same-sex marriage in the United States, Nelson responded to a comparison the interviewer made with the Civil Rights Movement, stating: "We'll look back and say it was crazy that we ever even argued about this". Written by Willie Nelson, "Hello Walls", was a hit for Faron Young in 1961, and the song that gave Nelson national recognition as a songwriter. [230] "I started braiding my hair when it started getting too long, and that was, I don't know, probably in the 70's." [62] In June, a package containing cocaine was sent from Reshen's office in New York to Jennings in Nashville. [38] Country Willie His Own Songs became Nelson's first RCA Victor album, recorded in April 1965. Then there's daughter Amy Lee from his marriage to Connie Koepke who gave birth to Nelson's grandkids Lukas Autry and Jacob Micah. [145] The next year Nelson rescued the guitar from his burning ranch. The artwork of the book was designed by Nelson's son, Micah, and the foreword written by Kinky Friedman. [193] The bags were later sent to them. He worked as a disc jockey at radio stations in his native Texas, and in several radio stations in the Pacific Northwest, all the while working as a singer and songwriter throughout the late 1950s. After those two divorced, he went on to marry Connie Kopeke and the two share two daughters, Lana and Amy Lee. [189] Earlier in January 2021, Nelson and his sister received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. [34] Its soundboard has been signed by over a hundred of Nelson's friends and associates, ranging from fellow musicians to lawyers and football coaches. And the star loves his family dearly, telling The Daily Texan in March, "I'm proud of my (kids). Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, political activist and actor. 311) alongside the Animal Welfare Institute. [210] In 2011, Nelson was inducted to the National Agricultural Hall of Fame, for his labor in Farm Aid and other fund raisers to benefit farmers. Reviews ranged from positive to mixed. Micah and Lukas both started their own bands. [105] Also in 2018, Nelson was one of several artists on Restoration, a cover album containing various country renditions of songs originally by Elton John, on which he performed "Border Song". Aint that something?. [196] Nelson received six months probation. Theproject gives us an inside look into the lives of the Nelson family and features amazing excerptsincluding a short clip of Willie Nelson and his sons performing Can I Sleep in Your Arms. [23] Nelson continued working as a radio announcer and singing in Vancouver clubs. Returns & Exchanges, Outlaws and Legends Music Fest: The Back Porch of Texas, Willie Nelson & Family and ZZ Top: Whitewater Amphitheater, Bluestem Center for the Arts Amphitheater, Willie Nelson & Jelly Roll: Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, *Club Luck Presale tickets onsale Tue. We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. "It's about the smartest thing I ever did. He made several appearances in a Colorado nightclub, later moving to Springfield, Missouri. He won his 10th Grammy in 2020. Interested in the concept, Nelson requested Russell to also sign his guitar. [98] The album entered Billboard's Top Country Albums at number two, marking his highest position on the chart since the release of his 1989 A Horse Called Music, and extending his record to a total of forty-six top ten albums on the country charts. [157] Friedman promised Nelson a job in Austin as the head of a new Texas Energy Commission due to his support of bio-fuels. At the time, the government of the United States offered a one dollar tax credit to producers of biodiesel. But marrying Annie wasn't complicated at all," Nelson wrote (per People). Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, political activist and actor. The album led Nelson to a new style, later stating that Shotgun Willie had "cleared his throat". [1] Nelson traces his genealogy to the American Revolutionary War, in which his ancestor John Nelson served as a major. Billy was found dead in his log-cabin home in Davidson County, Tennessee on Christmas Day. [1] He was named Willie by his cousin Mildred, who also chose Hugh as his middle name, in honor of her recently deceased younger brother. The first two raised $700,000 for people who had suffered financial loss due to effects on the U.S. His publicist Elaine Schock confirmed soon after that Nelson's health was good and that he was heading to his next scheduled concert in Dallas, Texas. Willie and Martha Nelson's son Billy had a child of his own before passing away, a daughter named Raelyn (per Eat, Play, Rock). Here's what we know about his children, many of whom are musicians today. Nelson was arrested and jailed. He moved to a ranch near Bandera, Texas, and married Connie Koepke. The sons give credit to their father for helping them become the creative men that they each are today. Laura Bradshaw Published: March 3, 2023. One, Waylon & Willie, was a collaboration with Jennings that included "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys", a hit single written and performed by Ed Bruce. He told the Daily Express that by the time he met his daughter, she already had a family of her own. [162], A supporter of the LGBT movement, Nelson published in 2006 through iTunes a version of Ned Sublette's "Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other", that met instant success. During this time, he recorded two singles for Pappy Daily on D Records[28] "Man With the Blues"/"The Storm Has Just Begun" and "What a Way to Live"/"Misery Mansion". [24] Willie Nelson has eight children, including a daughter whom he only recently found out about in 2012. [32] There Nelson met Hank Cochran, a songwriter who worked for the publishing company Pamper Music, owned by Ray Price and Hal Smith. In 1975, he switched to Columbia Records, where he recorded the critically acclaimed album Red Headed Stranger. By Joseph Hudak. Willie Nelson, (born April 29, 1933, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.), American songwriter and guitarist who was one of the most popular country music singers of the late 20th century. [22] The recording failed. He is nominated for four Grammys at the 2023 ceremony. [69], In 1982, Pancho & Lefty, a duet album with Merle Haggard produced by Chips Moman was released. The company built the Honeysuckle Rose I in 1983, which was replaced after a collision in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1990. The same year, he recorded another outlaw country album, Wanted! [149] Besides organizing and performing in the annual concerts, Nelson is the president of the board of Farm Aid. [63] The package was followed by the DEA, and Jennings was arrested. Turns out Mary and I had a child together called Renee. Privacy Policy and Security [160] He is on its board of directors and has adopted a number of horses from Habitat for Horses. The critical success of his album Shotgun Willie (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger (1975) and Stardust (1978), made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music. He later joined Johnny Bush's band. His grandfather, William, worked as a blacksmith, while his father worked as a mechanic. He raised money, appeared at events, and composed the song "Whatever Happened to Peace on Earth? economy. In 2005, Nelson and several other business partners formed Willie Nelson Biodiesel ("Bio-Willie"), a company that was marketing bio-diesel bio-fuel to truck stops. While playing with Price and the Cherokee Cowboys, his songs became hits for other artists, including "Funny How Time Slips Away" (Billy Walker), "Pretty Paper" (Roy Orbison), and, most famously, "Crazy" by Patsy Cline. Words and music: Mae Axton, Ed Honeycut, and Roger Alan Wade, Video related to willie nelsons kids & family: 5 fast facts you need to know, I have an old, dear friend Mary Haney, who Id lost touch with but recently met again after decades, he said. Nelson, for instance, doesn't talk in the documentary at all about his son William "Billy" Nelson Jr.'s suicide at age 33. Along with a music career of her own, Realyn also has three children, twin boys and a daughter. His popularity in Austin soared as he played his own brand of country music marked by country, folk and jazz influences. To repay the debt Reshen had created with the IRS, Nelson was recommended to invest in tax shelters that ultimately flopped. [37], By the fall of 1964, Nelson had moved to RCA Victor at the behest of Chet Atkins, signing a contract for $10,000 per year. Willie's God! Willie Nelson Just Announced Some Epic 90th Birthday Shows. In 1973, after signing with Atlantic Records, Nelson turned to outlaw country, including albums such as Shotgun Willie and Phases and Stages. His parents moved to Texas from Arkansas in 1929 to look for work. [73] Meanwhile, Nelson became more involved with charity work, such as singing on We are the World in 1984. By Sheri Linden. In 2010, Austin, Texas renamed Second Street to Willie Nelson Boulevard. [218], An important collection of Willie Nelson materials (19751994) became part of the Wittliff collections of Southwestern Writers, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas. A truck driver drove him to a bus station and loaned him $10 for a ticket to reach Portland. Willie Nelson has eight children from four different women. Amini-documentary released in October 2017 called Willie Nelson and the Boysfeatures the brothersdiscussing their family dynamic and the influence of their father. The channel was a result of the merger of his two other channels The Roadhouse and Willie's Place. [34], Nelson signed with Liberty Records and was recording by August 1961 at Quonset Hut Studio. In June 2021, a collection of his thoughts on America, family, faith and music hits shelves as a new book titled Willie Nelson's Letters to America.These creative endeavors as well as new songs and performances that add to his classic catalog, find Willie Nelson rolling at an artistic peak, writing and singing and playing with the seasoned . Micah and Lukas, Nelsons two youngest children with wife Annie DAngelo, both toured with their father and have sang on stage with him on several occasions, which they credit as their inspiration to pursue their own music careers, according to Country Fancast. [217] The legislation was dropped after two Republican senators, Florence Shapiro and Wentworth, objected, citing Nelson's lack of connection to the highway, his fund raisers for Democrats, his drinking, and his marijuana advocacy. [6] "Crazy" became the biggest jukebox hit of all time. The charges were later dropped, since Reshen's assistant, Mark Rothbaum stepped in and took the charges. In 1990, Nelson's assets were seized by the Internal Revenue Service, which claimed that he owed $32million. Born during the Great Depression and raised by his grandparents, Nelson wrote his first song at age seven and joined his first band at ten. Cannon's association to Nelson also extended to songwriting, with singer and producer composing the lyrics by exchanging text messages. I have an old, dear friend Mary Haney, who Id lost touch with but recently met again after decades, he said. [146][147], Constant strumming with a guitar pick over the decades has worn a large sweeping hole into the guitar's body near the sound holethe N-20 has no pick-guard since classical guitars are meant to be played fingerstyle instead of with picks. [31], Nelson moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1960, but was unable to find a label to sign him. Later that night Dick played the tape for Cline, who decided to record it. [15][21] He made his first record in 1956, "No Place for Me", that included Leon Payne's "Lumberjack" on the B-side. Bobbie Nelson, a longtime member of Willie Nelson's Family Band, has died at 91. FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) Bad news for people waiting for the general public on sale tickets to Willie Nelson when he comes to Moorhead: the show is already sold out! Micah speaks out about how his father inspired him, using his 1975 album Red HeadedStrangeras an example where he tells Rolling Stone, He was breaking down barriers and fearlessly doing his thing For me, to fearlessly do my thing and be myself, I cant think of any other way to respect and honor my dads legacy.. The thirteen-episode first season would feature artists being interviewed by Nelson and Dan Rather, followed by a performance. In spite of the coincidence and Nelson's advocacy for the legalization of marijuana, the ceremony was scheduled also for 4:20pm. After a short time in Waco, he settled in Fort Worth, and quit the music business for a year. When the IRS seized his possessions to sell at auction to try and collect money to pay his tax debt, many of Willie's fans bought his stuff and then gave it back to him. And the friendship must have been intimate, because he found out in 2012 that he and Haney share a child. [115][116] In December 2022, Mark Rothbaum announced the release of a five-part documentary entitled Willie Nelson and Family to be released at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Here's How Many Grandchildren Willie Nelson Has, Me and Sister Bobbie: True Tales of the Family Band. [103] Lanois wrote the song especially for Nelson. During this period he often spent time at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, a bar near the Grand Ole Opry frequented by the show's stars and other singers and songwriters. 7). Nelson attended Abbott High School, where he was a halfback on the football team, guard on the basketball team, and shortstop in baseball. [109] The third, which was held on April 20, 2020, was a variety show titled Come and Toke It. Meet Willie Nelson's 8 Children Including Daughter He Found Out About In 2012 Home Entertainment Meet Willie Nelson's 8 Children Including Daughter He Found Out About In 2012 By Bettina Dizon Mar 11, 2021 02:49 A.M. Willie Nelson is a legendary star and father to eight beautiful kids, who are grown adults with their own families. [78], During the 1990s and 2000s, Nelson toured continuously, recording several albums including 1998's critically acclaimed Teatro,[79] and performed and recorded with other acts including Phish,[80] Johnny Cash,[81] and Toby Keith. Contact [61], In the summer of 1977, Nelson discovered that Reshen had been filing tax extensions and not paying the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) since he took over as his manager. [216] In 2005, Democratic Texas Senator Gonzalo Barrientos introduced a bill to name 49 miles (79km) of the Travis County section of State Highway 130 after Nelson, and at one point 23 of the 31 state senators were co-sponsors of the bill. [35] Nelson's tenure at Liberty yielded his first album entitled And Then I Wrote, released in September 1962. [43] Due to the failure of his albums, and particularly frustrated by the reception of Yesterday's Wine, although his contract was not over, Nelson decided to retire from music. [95], In February 2012, Legacy Recordings signed a deal with Nelson that included the release of new material, as well as past releases that would be selected and complemented with outtakes and other material selected by him. Born in 1969, she was his fourth child, and has forged a moderately successful career in her own right, most notably as a musician. The album included a cover of Fred Rose's 1945 song "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain", that had been released as a single previous to the album, and became Nelson's first number one hit as a singer. TravelCenters of America bought Willie's Place during its foreclosure in 2011. [67], During the 1980s, Nelson recorded a series of hit singles including "Midnight Rider", a 1980 cover of the Allman Brothers song which Nelson recorded for The Electric Horseman,[68] the soundtrack "On the Road Again" from the movie Honeysuckle Rose, and a duet with Julio Iglesias titled "To All the Girls I've Loved Before". Despite the failure to reach the expected attendance, the concept of the festival inspired Nelson to create the Fourth of July Picnic, his own annual event, starting the following year. He sold "Family Bible" to Buskirk for $50 and "Night Life" for $150. [228] The following year, he was part of the inaugural class inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. [123] In 2012, it was announced the release of a new autobiography by Nelson, Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings from the Road. My Body's Just a Suitcase for My Soul: Billy Nelson featuring Willie Nelson, Billy Nelson sings "My Body's Just a Suitcase for My Soul" accompanied by his father, Willie Nelson. [86] In the following year of 2005, Nelson released a reggae album entitled Countryman which featured Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals on the song "I'm a Worried Man". For 2021, he released a new studio album in February . Along with an extensive music career, Willie Nelson has also grown quite the family. Nelson also appeared on Ringo Starr's 2003 album, Ringo Rama, as a guest vocal on "Write One for Me". From there he went on to have a very successful career that earned him a total of 12 Grammy Awards and a whopping 56 nominations. [117], Nelson's acting debut was in the 1979 film The Electric Horseman, followed by appearances in Honeysuckle Rose, Thief, and Barbarosa. After graduating from high school in 1950, he joined the U.S. Air Force but was later discharged due to back problems. Nelson endorsed O'Rourke, and received negative reactions from the conservative part of his followers. Cochran had just earned a raise of $50 a week, but convinced Smith to pay Nelson the money instead to sign him to Pamper Music. Meanwhile, Micah heads the band Particle Kid and has toured with his father and his brother on and off for several years. [144] Mark Marchetti, Lynn's son-in . Here's how many grandkids Willie Nelson has, along with some background on the family. [88] Also in 2005, a live performance of the Johnny Cash song "Busted" with Ray Charles was released on Charles' duets album Genius & Friends. The first authorized work exploring the extraordinary life of Willie Nelson traverses the personal and career ups, downs, and in-betweens of one of the world's most beloved musicians, by turns spiritual, dramatic, and playful. [123] Nelson is seen in the film The Garden supporting the impoverished community South Central Farm in Southern Los Angeles. Would love your thoughts, please comment. [58] Later that year Nelson released The Sound in Your Mind (certified gold in 1978 and platinum in 2001)[59] and his first gospel album Troublemaker[60] (certified gold in 1986). They divorced. March 10, 2022. [198] Prosecutor Kit Bramblett supported not sentencing Nelson to jail due to the small amount of marijuana involved, but suggested instead a $100 fine and told Nelson that he would have him sing "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" for the court. Not just a grandfather (to five grandchildren, as of this writing), but a great-grandfather as well, Willie Nelson seems to be close with all of his family. Rothbaum was sentenced to serve time in jail. Paula has released five of her own albums with the Paula Nelson Band includingUnder the Influencein 2014, according to Wide Open Country. A badass American outlaw cowboy who transcended his humble beginnings in small-town Abbott, Texas, he remains beloved in blue states, red states, and let's . After suffering from pneumonia several times, he decided to quit either marijuana or tobacco. A father multiple times over, some of his kids have gone on to start families of their own; Nelson is a grandfather as well (via Taste of Country). He recorded the song for his debut album, Introduction of the song "Shotgun Willie", opening track of the album of the, sfn error: no target: CITEREFAllmusic_staff2008 (, sfn error: no target: CITEREFReuters_staff2004 (, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys, If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time, The Presidents of the United States of America, Here We Go Again: Celebrating the Genius of Ray Charles, Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance, Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings from the Road, Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other, Trump administration family separation policy, COVID-19 vaccination in the United States, List of awards and nominations received by Willie Nelson, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker, For the Good Times: A Tribute to Ray Price, List of Country Music Hall of Fame inductees, "Largest Willie Nelson collection now at Texas State", "No 'Problem': Willie Nelson's New Album Bows at No. [227] In 2013, he received an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music. [27] Nelson rented the apartment near Houston in Pasadena, Texas, where he also worked at the radio station as the sign-on disc jockey. [181] In 2012, he canceled a fund-raising appearance in the Denver area. [15] He sold bibles and vacuum cleaners door-to-door,[25] and eventually became a sales manager for the Encyclopedia Americana. Nelson has two children with current wife Annie DAngelo and five from his previous marriages, as well as a daughter with a close friend he had relations with many years ago. [200] The judge later rejected the agreement, claiming that Nelson was receiving preferential treatment for his celebrity status; the offense normally carried a one-year jail sentence. Upon its release, it topped Billboard's Top Country albums chart, the first time since 1986's The Promiseland, the last Nelson album to top it. Nelson purchased the guitar unseen for $750 and named it after Roy Rogers' horse "Trigger". Willie was then married to his second wife, Shirley, from 1963 to 1971. He explored genres such as reggae, blues, jazz, and folk. The collection contains lyrics, screenplays, letters, concert programs, tour itineraries, posters, articles, clippings, personal effects, promotional items, souvenirs, and documents. [148] The first concert included Dylan, Billy Joel, B.B. Nelson was ultimately able to record the song in time in Los Angeles;[104] the team considered combining the two versions into a duet, but ultimately included both versions in the game. [176] Nelson temporarily stopped smoking cigarettes each time his lungs became congested, and resumed when the congestion ended. Willie enjoys playing music with his sons and describes it being as good as it gets. Lukas and Micah even opened for their dad on his summer 2016 Outlaw Music Festival tour. as a double album, with all profits destined for the IRS. He also presented two logos with the pink equal sign, symbol of the LGBT movement. On May 26, 2010, the Associated Press reported that Nelson had cut his hair,[231] and Nashville music journalist Jimmy Carter published a photograph of the pigtail-free Nelson on his website. Father-daughter duo Paula Nelson and Willie Nelson Re-record "Slow Down Old World" These days everything and everyone is "iconic.". Billy Nelson, born 1958 at Ft. Worth, Texas. Willie Nelson is an American musician, singer, songwriter, author, poet, social activist, and actor. He ordered self-defense manuals on jujitsu and judo that he saw advertised in Batman and Superman comic books. In July 2020, Willie released his album First Rose of Spring - an atmospheric soulful showcase of beautifully-written songs and poignant performances. [40] In 1967, he formed his backing band "The Record Men", featuring Johnny Bush, Jimmy Day, Paul English and David Zettner. He was one of the main figures of outlaw country, a subgenre of country music that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restrictions of the Nashville sound. [97] His 2013 release To All the Girls, a collection of duets with all female partners, featured among others Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Mavis Staples, Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert. [15] After leaving school in 1950, he joined the U.S. Air Force; he served for nine months before being medically discharged because of issues with his back. [207], Nelson is widely recognized as an American icon. He suffered from breathing problems due to high altitude and emphysema and was taken to a local hospital. Dick liked a song of Nelson's he heard on the bar's jukebox. In 2017, Nelson released God's Problem Child. [132] Willie's Place also featured BioWillie pumps. Billy was planning on releasing the album himself before his death. Willie Nelson revealed more about his extensive family tree in his 2012 autobiography "Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings from the Road," specifically about discovering his great-grandchildren with Mary Haney. [165], Nelson has been married four times and has seven children. In addition to the problems in his career, Nelson divorced Shirley Collie in 1970. "One in a Row" (#19, 1966), "The Party's Over" (#24 during a 16-week chart run in 1967), and his cover of Morecambe & Wise's "Bring Me Sunshine" (#13, March 1969) were Nelson's best-selling records during his time with RCA.