Willie Nelson
 Willie Nelson didn't originally land a record deal, but his publishing contract led to Ray Price recording the standard Night Life, and Willie joined Price's touring band as bass guitarist.
During his time touring with Price many of Nelson's songs became hits. Funny How Time Slips Away (Billy Walker), Hello Walls (Faron Young), Pretty Paper (Roy Orbison) and, most famously, Crazy (Patsy Cline) were to become classics in the1960s.
Willie Nelson's outlaw image was as a result of the release of Wanted: The Outlaws! in 1976 with Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, and Tompall Glaser, country music's first platinum album.
Despite the 1980s success of Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash as The Highwaymen, Willie Nelson's popularity began to wane, and In 1990 a bill for $16.7 million in back taxes saw him lose most of his assets.
Since that time there has been a resurgence in interest of this influential and legendary performer, his move to the Austin music scene helping greatly and he has worked with many of today's Americana heroes.
More information about Willie Nelson can be found at: Wikipedia.com and just about everywhere else on the Internet!
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