Willie Nelson and The Biz Never Sleeps: Difference between pages

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{{Unreferenced|date=October 2008}}
{{Articleissues|tooshort=July 2008|cleanup=November 2007}}
{{Infobox Album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
{{Infobox musical artist
| Name = Willie Nelson |
| Name = The Biz Never Sleeps
| Img = WillieNelson.jpg |
| Type = album
| Img_capt =
| Artist = [[Biz Markie|The Diabolical Biz Markie]]
| Background = solo_singer |
| Cover = The Biz Never Sleeps.jpg
| Released = [[October 10]], [[1989]]
| Birth_name = Willie Hugh Nelson |
| Recorded = 1989
| Born = {{birth date and age|1933|4|30}} |
| Died = |
| Genre = [[Hip-Hop]]
| Length = 49:02
| Origin = [[Abbott, Texas|Abbott]], [[Texas]], [[United States|U.S.]] |
| Label = [[Cold Chillin' Records|Cold Chillin']]/[[Warner Bros. Records]]<br><small>26003</small>
| Instrument = [[Steel-string guitar|Acoustic Guitar]] |
| Genre = [[Outlaw country]], [[alternative country]] |
| Producer = [[Biz Markie]]<br />Cool V
| Reviews =
| Occupation = [[Singer]], [[Songwriter]], [[Guitarist]], [[Music producer|Producer]], [[Session musician|Session Musician]], [[Actor]], [[Activist]] |
*[[AllMusic]] {{Rating|4|5}} [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hcfexqu5ldse link]
| Years_active = 1956 &ndash; Present |
| Last album = ''[[Goin' Off]]''<br />(1988)
| Label = [[Liberty Records|Liberty]], [[RCA Records|RCA]], [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]], [[Columbia Records|Columbia]], [[Island Records|Island]], Justice Records<!--(1996 &ndash; 2002)-->, [[Lost Highway Records|Lost Highway]]<!--(2002 &ndash; Present)--> |
| This album = '''''The Biz Never Sleeps'''''<br />(1989)
| Associated_acts = [[Waylon Jennings]], [[The Highwaymen (country supergroup)|The Highwaymen]], [[Johnny Cash]], [[Kris Kristofferson]], [[Ray Price (musician)|Ray Price]], [[Merle Haggard]], [[Kurt Nilsen]], [[Faron Young]]|
| Next album = ''[[I Need a Haircut]]''<br />(1991)
| URL = [http://www.willienelson.com/ www.willienelson.com] |
}}
| Notable_instruments = "Trigger" (Martin N-20)
'''''The Biz Never Sleeps''''' is the second album by [[Biz Markie]]. It was released pn [[October 10]], [[1989]], on [[Cold Chillin' Records|Cold Chillin']]/[[Warner Bros. Records]] and was produced by Biz and his cousin Cool V, instead of Cold Chillin' in-house producer [[Marley Marl]]. The album proved to be a success, peaking at #66 on the [[Billboard 200]] and #9 on the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]], as well as producing his most famous song and biggest hit, "[[Just a Friend]]," which made it to #9 on the [[Billboard Hot 100]] and #5 on the [[Hot Rap Singles]].
|}}


==Track listing==
'''Willie Nelson''' (born [[April 30]], [[1933]]) is an [[United States|American]] [[country music|country]] [[singer-songwriter]] and [[actor]]. He reached his greatest fame during the [[outlaw country]] movement of the 1970s, but remains [[icon]]ic, especially in American popular culture. In recent years he has continued to tour, record, and perform, and this, combined with activities in advocacy of [[Cannabis (drug)|marijuana]], as well as a well-publicized 2006 [[arrest]] for marijuana possession, have made him the subject of renewed media attention.
#"Dedication"- 4:02
#"Check It Out"- 4:01
#"The Dragon"- 4:08
#"Spring Again"- 4:03
#"[[Just a Friend]]"- 4:00
#"She's Not Just Another Woman"- 3:46
#"Mudd Foot"- 4:16
#"Me Versus Me"- 4:47
#"My Man Rich"- 3:44
#"I Hear Music"- 3:52
#"Biz in Harmony"- 4:11
#"Things Get a Little Easier"- 4:12


==Biography==
==Notes==
===Early life and career===
Nelson was born and raised in [[Abbott, Texas]], the son of Myrle and Ira D. Nelson, who was a mechanic and pool hall owner.<ref>[http://www.filmreference.com/film/38/Willie-Nelson.html Willie Nelson Biography (1933-)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> His grandparents William Alfred Nelson and Nancy Elizabeth Smothers gave him [[mail-order]] music lessons starting at age six. He wrote his first song when he was seven and was playing in a local band at age nine.<ref>Patoski, Joe Nick. "The Gospel According to Willie", ''Texas Co-op Power'', May 2008, p9.</ref> Willie played the [[guitar]], while his sister Bobbie played the [[piano]]. He met Bud Fletcher, a [[fiddler]], and two siblings joined his band, Bohemian Fiddlers, while Nelson was in high school. While he was in high school he took part in the National FFA Organization (formerly known as the Future Farmers of America).

Beginning in high school Nelson worked as a [[disc jockey]] for local radio stations. Nelson had short DJ stints with [[KHBR (AM)|KHBR]] in [[Hillsboro, Texas]], and later with [[KBOP]] in [[Pleasanton, Texas]], while singing locally in [[honky tonk]] bars.<ref>[http://kgsr.com/Interviews/Index_nelson.aspx 107.1 KGSR - Radio Austin Interview] </ref>

Nelson graduated from Abbott High School in 1951. He joined the [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] the same year but was discharged after nine months due to back problems.<ref>[http://www.famoustexans.com/willienelson.htm "Willie Nelson". ''famoustexans.com'']</ref> He then studied [[agriculture]] at [[Baylor University]] for one year in 1954.
In 1956, Nelson moved to [[Vancouver, Washington]], to begin a musical career, recording "Lumberjack," which was written by [[Leon Payne]]. The single sold fairly well, but did not establish a career. Nelson continued to work as a radio announcer in Vancouver and sing in clubs. He sold a song called "Family Bible" for $50; the song was a hit for [[Claude Gray]] in 1960, has been [[cover version|cover]]ed widely and is often considered a [[gospel music]] classic.

===Popular songwriter===
Nelson moved to [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] in 1960, but was unable to land a record label contract. He did, however, receive a publishing contract at Pamper Music. After [[Ray Price (musician)|Ray Price]] recorded Nelson's "[[Night Life (song)|Night Life]]" (reputedly the most covered country song of all time; a version "Night Life" was even recorded by convicted killer and former cult leader [[Charles Manson]]<ref>[http://www.indie911.com/directory/folk-rock/charles-manson "Charles Manson", ''indie911.com'']</ref>), Nelson joined Price's touring [[band (music)|band]] as a bass player. While playing with Ray Price and the Cherokee Cowboys, many of Nelson's songs became hits for some of country and pop music's biggest stars of the time. These songs include "Funny How Time Slips Away" ([[Billy Walker (singer)|Billy Walker]]), "[[Hello Walls]]" ([[Faron Young]]), "Pretty Paper" ([[Roy Orbison]]) and most famously, "[[Crazy (Willie Nelson song)|Crazy]]" ([[Patsy Cline]]). Nelson signed with [[Liberty Records]] in 1961 and released several singles, including "Willingly" (sung with his wife, Shirley Collie) and "Touch Me."

He was unable to keep his momentum going, however, and Nelson's career ground to a halt. [[Demo (music)|Demo]] recordings from his years as a songwriter for Pamper Music were later discovered and released as ''Crazy: The Demo Sessions'' (2003).

===Austin===
In 1965, Nelson moved to [[RCA Victor Records]] and joined the [[Grand Ole Opry]]. He followed this with a series of minor hits and then retired and moved to [[Austin, Texas]]. While in Austin, with its burgeoning "[[hippie]]" music scene (see [[Armadillo World Headquarters]]), Nelson decided to return to music. His popularity in Austin soared, as he played his own brand of country music marked by [[rock and roll]], [[jazz]], [[western swing]], and [[folk music|folk]] influences. A lifelong passion for running and a new commitment to his own health also began during this period.

In the mid 1970's, Nelson purchased property near Lake Travis in Austin and built Pedernales Studio. The studio underwent state of the art renovations in the mid 1990's, and many top recording artists adorn its client list. Its amenities include a 9-hole golf course, tennis courts and an Olympic size swimming pool.

===Outlaw country===
[[Image:Kris Will Waylon.jpg|thumb|left|l-r Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings at Willie's 4th of July Picnic 1972.]]
Nelson signed with [[Atlantic Records]] and released ''[[Shotgun Willie]]'' (1973), which won excellent reviews but did not sell well. ''[[Phases and Stages]]'' (1974), a [[concept album]] inspired by his divorce, included the hit single "Bloody Mary Morning." Nelson then moved to [[Columbia Records]], where he was given complete creative control over his work. The result was the critically acclaimed, massively popular concept album, ''[[Red Headed Stranger]]'' (1975). Although Columbia was reluctant to release an album with primarily a guitar and piano for accompaniment, Nelson insisted (with the assistance of [[Waylon Jennings]]) and the album was a huge hit, partially because it included a popular cover of "[[Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain]]" (written by [[Fred Rose]] in 1945). "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" became Nelson's first number one hit as a singer.

Along with Nelson, [[Waylon Jennings]] was also achieving success in country music in the early 1970s, and the pair were soon combined into a genre called [[outlaw country]] ("outlaw" because it did not conform to Nashville standards). Nelson's outlaw image was cemented with the release of the album ''[[Wanted! The Outlaws]]'' (1976, with Waylon Jennings, [[Jessi Colter]] and [[Tompall Glaser]]), country music's first [[RIAA certification|platinum]] album. Nelson continued to top the [[charts]] with hit songs during the late 1970s, including "Good Hearted Woman" (a duet with Jennings), "Remember Me", "If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time", "Uncloudy Day", "I Love You a Thousand Ways", and "Something to Brag About" (a duet with [[Mary Kay Place]]).

In 1978, Nelson released two more platinum albums, ''Waylon and Willie'' (a collaboration with Jennings that included "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys," which was written and originally recorded as a hit single by [[Ed Bruce]] a couple of years earlier), and ''[[Stardust (album)|Stardust]]'', an unusual album of popular standards. It was produced by [[Booker T. Jones]]. Though most observers predicted that ''Stardust'' would ruin his career, it ended up being one of his most successful recordings.

=== Minnesota ===

Little is known about Willie's life in Minnesota, however he did live there for quite some time. While living in Minnesota, Willie had three children; Brian, Jessica, and [[Jacob Nelson]].

=== Acting career ===
Nelson began acting, appearing in ''[[The Electric Horseman]]'' (1979), ''Honeysuckle Rose'' (1980), ''[[Thief (film)|Thief]]'' (1981), and ''[[Barbarosa (film)|Barbarosa]]'' (1982). Also in 1982 he played "Red Loon," in ''[[Coming Out of the Ice]]'' with John Savage. In 1984 he starred in the movie ''[[Songwriter]]'' with [[Kris Kristoferson]] guest starring. He then had the lead role in ''[[Red Headed Stranger]]'' (1986, with [[Morgan Fairchild]]), ''[[Wag the Dog]]'' (1997), ''[[Gone Fishin]]'' (1997) as Billy 'Catch' Pooler, the 1986 TV movie ''Stagecoach'' (with [[Johnny Cash]]), and ''Dukes of Hazzard'' (2006).

He has continued acting since his early successes, but usually in smaller roles and cameos, some of which involve his status as a [[cannabis]] activist and icon. One of his more popular recent cameos was a performance in ''[[Half Baked]]'' as an [[elderly]] "Historian Smoker" who, while smoking [[cannabis (drug)|marijuana]], would reminisce about how things used to be in his younger years. Nelson also appeared as himself in the 2006 movie ''[[Beerfest]]'', looking for teammates to join him in a mythical world-championship cannabis-smoking contest held in [[Amsterdam]]. That same week Willie Nelson recorded, "I'll never Smoke Weed With Willie Again" with [[Toby Keith]].

He has made guest appearances on ''[[Miami Vice]]'', ''Delta'', ''[[Nash Bridges]]'', ''[[The Simpsons]]'', ''[[Monk (TV series)|Monk]]'', ''[[Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman]]'', ''[[King of the Hill (TV series)|King of the Hill]]'', ''[[Bones (TV series)|Bones]]'' and ''[[The Colbert Report]]''. He played country singer-songwriter Johnny Dean in the 1997 film ''[[Wag the Dog]]''. He played [[Jesse Duke (TV)|Uncle Jesse]] in ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard (film)|The Dukes of Hazzard]]'', the 2005 cinematic treatment of the [[The Dukes of Hazzard|television series]], and was the only member of the big screen cast to reprise the role in the TV/DVD movie [[prequel]] ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning]]'' (2007) ([[V]]). He also briefly appeared in ''[[Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me]]''.

===Hits, excesses, and Farm Aid===
The Eighties saw a series of hit singles: "[[On the Road Again (Willie Nelson song)|On the Road Again]]" from the movie ''Honeysuckle Rose'' and "[[To All the Girls I've Loved Before]]" (a rather incongruous duet with [[Julio Iglesias]]). There were also more popular albums, including ''[[Pancho & Lefty (album)|Pancho & Lefty]]'' (1982, with [[Merle Haggard]]), ''WWII'' (1982, with [[Waylon Jennings]]) and ''Take it to the Limit'' (1983, with [[Waylon Jennings]]).

In the mid-1980s, Nelson, [[Waylon Jennings]], [[Kris Kristofferson]], and [[Johnny Cash]] formed a group called [[The Highwaymen (country supergroup)|The Highwaymen]]. They achieved unexpectedly massive success, including platinum record sales and worldwide touring. Meanwhile, he became more and more involved in charity work, such as establishing the [[Farm Aid]] concerts in 1985.

In 1990, the [[Internal Revenue Service]] (IRS) handed Nelson a bill for $16.7 million in back taxes and seized most of his assets to help pay the charges. He released ''[[The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?]]'' as a double album, with all profits going straight to the IRS. Many of his assets were auctioned and purchased by friends, who gave his possessions back to him or rented them at a nominal fee. He sued accounting firm [[Price Waterhouse]], contending that they put him into [[tax shelter| tax shelters]] that were later disallowed.<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CEFD7113FF931A3575AC0A967958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all Willie Nelson Hopes for a Hit; So Does the I.R.S. - New York Times<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount.<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D04E6DF1739F937A35752C1A963958260 Tax Shelter of Rich and Famous Has Final Date in Court - New York Times<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
His debts were paid by 1993.

In 1996, Willie Nelson was featured on the [[Beach Boys]]' now out-of-print album ''[[Stars and Stripes Vol. 1]]'' singing a cover of their 1964 song "The Warmth of the Sun" with the Beach Boys themselves providing the harmonies and backing vocals. He also starred in Baywatch as an old man in boxer shorts.

===Hard-Drivin' American troubadour===
[[Image:Willie Nelson.jpg|thumb|Willie Nelson performing at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California.]]
He released ''Across the Borderline'' in 1993, with guests [[Bob Dylan]], [[Sinéad O'Connor]], [[David Crosby]], [[Bonnie Raitt]], [[Kris Kristofferson]] and [[Paul Simon]].

During the 1990s and 2000s, Nelson has toured continuously and released albums that generally received mixed reviews, with the exception of 1998's critically acclaimed ''[[Teatro (album)|Teatro]]'' (which was produced by [[Daniel Lanois]]—more commonly known for his work with [[U2]]—and featured supporting vocals by [[Emmylou Harris]]). Later that year, he joined rock band [[Phish]] onstage for several songs as part of the annual Farm Aid festival. He also performed a duet concert with fellow Highwayman [[Johnny Cash]], recorded for the [[VH1]] ''Storytellers'' series.

Nelson received [[Kennedy Center Honors]] in 1998. A star-studded [[television special]] celebrating his 70th birthday aired in 2003. In 2004, he released ''Outlaws & Angels'', featuring guests [[Toby Keith]], [[Joe Walsh]], [[Merle Haggard]], [[Kid Rock]], [[Al Green]], [[Shelby Lynne]], [[Carole King]], [[Toots Hibbert]], [[Ben Harper]], [[Lee Ann Womack]], The Holmes Brothers, [[Los Lonely Boys]], [[Lucinda Williams]], [[Keith Richards]], [[Jerry Lee Lewis]] and [[Rickie Lee Jones]].
Willie Nelson: An Epic Life by Joe Nick Patoski will be released in April, 2008. Mr. Patoski did over 100 interviews with Willie, his family, his band, the people he grew up with in Abbott, and many others. This is part biography, part memoir, part history, from the depression to Willie as he celebrates his 75th birthday.

In 2008, [[Willie Nelson]] teamed up with [[World Idol]] contest winner [[Kurt Nilsen]] from [[Norway]] and recorded the duet American classic " Lost Highway ". The duet reached the top of the charts in [[Norway]].

===Activism===
In 2004, Nelson and his wife Annie became partners with Bob and Kelly King in the building of two Pacific [[Bio-diesel]] plants, one in [[Salem, Oregon]], and the other at [[Carl's Corner, Texas]], (the Texas plant was founded by Carl Cornelius, a longtime Nelson friend). In 2005, Nelson and several other business partners formed [[Willie Nelson Bio-diesel]]<ref>http://www.wnbiodiesel.com/ Willie Nelson Bio-diesel</ref> ("Bio-Willie"), a company that is marketing [[bio-diesel]] [[bio-fuel]] to [[truck stop]]s. The fuel is made from [[vegetable oil]] (mainly [[Soybean|soybean oil]]), and can be burned without modification in [[diesel engine]]s.<ref>[http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,66288,00.html Wired Magazine] </ref>

Nelson is a co-chair of the [[National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws]] (NORML) advisory board. He has worked with NORML for years for [[Decriminalization of marijuana in the United States|marijuana legalization]] and has produced commercials for NORML that have appeared on [[Pot TV]] programs. He has also recorded a number of radio commercials for the organization. In 2005, Nelson and his family hosted the first annual "Willie Nelson & NORML [[Benefit concert|Benefit]] [[Golf]] Tournament," which appeared on the cover of ''[[High Times]]'' magazine.

On [[January 9]], [[2005]], Nelson headlined an all-star concert at [[Austin Music Hall]] to benefit the victims of the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]]. Tsunami Relief Austin to Asia raised an estimated $120,000 for [[United Nations Children's Fund|UNICEF]] and two other organizations.

Nelson was a supporter of [[Kinky Friedman|Kinky Friedman's]] campaign in the [[Texas gubernatorial election, 2006|2006 Texas gubernatorial election]]. In 2005, he recorded a radio advertisement asking for support to put Friedman on the ballot as an [[Independent (politician)|independent candidate]]. Friedman promised Willie a job in Austin as the head of a new Texas Energy Commission due to Nelson's support of [[bio-fuel]]s. (Friedman was on the ballot but came in fourth with 12.43 percent, losing to Republican Rick Perry.

Nelson supported [[Dennis Kucinich|Dennis Kucinich's]] campaign in the [[Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2004|2004 Democratic presidential primaries]]. He raised money, appeared at events, composed a song ("Whatever Happened to Peace on Earth?"), and contributing a quote for the front cover of Kucinich's book for the campaign.

In January 2008, Nelson filed suit against the [[Texas Democratic Party]]. Nelson alleges that the party violated the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First]] and [[Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Fourteenth Amendments]] of the [[United States Constitution]] when it refused to allow co-plaintiff Dennis Kucinich to appear on the primary ballot because he had scratched out part of the loyalty oath on his application.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/01/04/0104kucinich.html | title=Kucinich sues Texas Democrats over loyalty pledge he won't sign | accessdate=2008-09-25 | last=Selby | first=W. Gardner | date=[[2008-01-04]] | publisher=Austin American Statesman}}</ref>

Nelson is an honorary trustee of the [[Dayton International Peace Museum]].<ref>http://www.daytonpeacemuseum.org/willie_nelson_dayton_peace_museu.htm Dayton International Peace Museum</ref>

Nelson is an advocate for horses and their treatment. He has been campaigning for passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503/S. 311) with the [[Animal Welfare Institute]]. He is on the Board of Directors and has adopted a number of horses from Habitat for Horses.<ref>[http://www.habitatforhorses.org Habitat for Horses - Your Equine Protection Organization - Horse Rescue, Rehabilitation, Horse Education and Adoptions<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

In March 2007, [[Ben & Jerry's]] released a new flavor, "Willie Nelson’s Country Peach Cobbler Ice Cream". Nelson's proceeds will be donated to [[Farm Aid]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.willienelson.com/nm/publish/news_262.html | title = The Peachful Solution | accessdate=2007-03-06 | last=Nelson | first=Lana | date=[[2007-02-09]] | work = Pedernales Poo Poo | publisher=[http://www.willienelson.com/ WillieNelson.com]}}</ref> The flavor has been re-released<ref>http://www.benjerry.com/our_products/flavorWorld.cfm?c=whatsnew Ben & Jerry's "What's New" pages</ref> and is now available, after Ben & Jerry's voluntary recall of 250,000 pints of the new flavor on [[March 19]] [[2007]], as [[wheat]] was incorrectly excluded from the list of ingredients.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.11alive.com/news/health/article_health.aspx?storyid=94110 | title = Some Ben & Jerry's Being Recalled | accessdate=2007-03-22 | date=[[2007-03-20]] | publisher=[http://www.11alive.com/ WXIA-TV Atlanta]}}</ref>

Willie Nelson founded the Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute in April 2007. Nelson and his daughter Amy Nelson wrote a song called "A Peaceful Solution", which they released into the public domain, and encouraged artists to render their own version of the song, which he would feature on the Institute's web site.<ref>[http://willienelsonpri.com/ Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute.com website]</ref>

Nelson questions the official story of what happened on September 11th. On February 4th, 2008, Nelson appeared on [[Alex Jones (radio)|Alex Jones]]'s radio show and talked about the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001]], stating his belief that the [[Twin Towers]] and [[WTC7]] were imploded: "I saw one fall and it was just so symmetrical, I said wait a minute I just saw that last week at the casino in Las Vegas and you see these implosions all the time and the next one fell and I said hell there's another one - and they're trying to tell me that an airplane did it and I can't go along with that." <ref>[http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/february2008/020408_towers_imploded.htm Prisonplant.com]</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,328726,00.html Fox News]</ref>

===Personal life===
Willie Nelson has been married four times and fathered eight children.
#Martha Matthews from 1952-1962. Children are Lana, Susie, and Billy (who died in 1991).
#Shirley Collie from 1963-1971.
#Connie Koepke from 1971-1988. Children are Paula Carlene and Amy Lee.
#Annie D'Angelo from 1991-present. Children are Lukas Autry and Jacob Micah.

Nelson can trace his [[genealogy]] back to the [[American Revolutionary War]], in which his ancestor John Nelson served as a [[Major]].<ref>[http://www.mindspring.com/~eehiv/nelson/d5711.htm Sixth Generation<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Nelson is a member of [[Tau Kappa Epsilon]] international [[Fraternities and sororities|fraternity]].

===Popular image===
Willie Nelson is widely recognized as an [[United States|American]] [[icon]]. His distinctive music and other social and political activities sometimes take a backseat to his pop-culture public image (firmly grounded in the acknowledged reality of his life) - that of an elderly, lifelong [[cannabis (drug)|marijuana]]-smoking, tax-evading, biodiesel-burning, old-school [[cowboy]]-[[hippie]] [[troubadour]]. His image is marked by his red hair, often divided into two long [[braid]]s partially concealed under a bandana. He has been featured in recent advertisements for a variety of products and companies, including a 2002 spot directed by [[Peter Lindbergh]] for [[Gap (clothing)|Gap]] where he performs [[Hank Williams]]' "[[Move It On Over]]" alongside [[Ryan Adams]].

During the controversial mid-decade [[2003 Texas redistricting]] attempt by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] in the [[Texas Legislature]], Nelson supported the [[Quorum#Quorum-busting|quorum-busting]] "[[Killer Ds]]," [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] who left the state and briefly stayed at a [[Holiday Inn]] in [[Ardmore, Oklahoma]] to prevent the [[Texas House of Representatives]] from considering the legislation.<ref>Stein, Joel. "Sure Beats Working." ''Time'' [[26 May]] [[2003]]. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1004885-1,00.html]</ref>
Nelson sent the legislators a case of red [[bandana]]s, [[T-shirt]]s, and a case of [[whiskey]] with a note that read "Stand your ground."<ref name="autogenerated1">Stein, Joel. "Sure Beats Working."</ref> According to ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', "The Dems then broke into a [[campfire]]-style [[sing-along]] of [[Merle Haggard|Merle Haggard's]] '[[Okie from Muskogee (song)|Okie from Muskogee]]' from a second-floor balcony...At a [[press conference|press briefing]] that evening, legislator Jim McReynolds said, "We have not heard from [[Governor of Texas|Governor]] [[Rick Perry|(Rick) Perry]] or [[Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives|Speaker]] [[Tom Craddick|(Tom) Craddick]], but we have heard from the most powerful Texan of all, Willie Nelson."<ref name="autogenerated1" />
[[Image:Willie UK2K7 1.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Willie Nelson during a show in Cardiff, January 2007]]
In 2005, Democratic Texas Senator Gonzalo Barrientos introduced a bill to name 49 miles of the [[Travis County, Texas|Travis County]] section of [[Texas State Highway 130|State Highway 130]], after Nelson. At one point, Barrientos had 23 of the 31 state Senators as co-sponsors.<ref>Ward, Mike. "No highway for Willie." ''Austin American-Statesman'' [[27 April]] [[2005]]. [http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/legislature/entries/2005/04/27/no_highway_for_willie.html]</ref> The legislation was dropped after two Republican senators, Florence Shapiro and Jeff Wentworth, pulled the bill from the Senate's "Local and Uncontested Calendar" and Barrientos decided not to put it on the regular calendar. Republicans' objections were based on Nelson's lack of connection to the highway, his fundraisers for Democrats, his drinking and his marijuana advocacy.<ref>Ward, Mike. "No highway for Willie."</ref><ref>"'Nelson Highway' isn't a hit with GOP." ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram'' [[28 April]] [[2005]]. [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3157662.html]</ref>

Nelson also volunteered to narrate "The Austin Disaster, 1911", a little-known documentary about a flood in Potter County, Pennsylvania (see [[Floods in the United States]]). Before the tragedy, an unrelated William "Willie" Nelson repeatedly warned residents of possible dam failure.<ref>[http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/heritage/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=444524 heritage: Austin Flood 1911<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

In 2002 Willie released the album, ''[[The Great Divide (Willie Nelson album)|The Great Divide]]''. A few songs on the album were written by [[Rob Thomas]] of [[Matchbox 20]] and [[Bernie Taupin]]. Rob Thomas contributed background vocals and made an appearance in the video for, "Maria (Shut Up and Kiss Me)." [[Lee Ann Womack]] appeared on the song, "[[Mendocino County]] Line" which was also released as a single (Mendocino County is an actual county located in California. Mendocino county voters approved Measure G, which calls for the decriminalization of marijuana when used and cultivated for personal use). Other guests on ''The Great Divide'' include [[Kid Rock]], [[Bonnie Raitt]], [[Sheryl Crow]], and [[Alison Krauss]]. Willie also covered Cyndi Lauper's, "[[Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper song)|Time After Time]]."

Willie Nelson performed a duet on "Beer for my Horses" with [[Toby Keith]] on Keith's ''[[Unleashed]]'' album released in 2002. This song was released as a single in 2003 and Nelson shot a video with Keith in 2003. The single topped the [[Billboard]] [[Hot Country Songs]] charts for six consecutive weeks and the video won an award for "Best Video" at the Academy of Country Music Awards held on [[May 26]], [[2004]].

In 2002, Nelson signed a deal to become the official spokesman of the [[Texas Roadhouse]], a fast-growing chain of steakhouses in the U.S. Since then, Nelson has heavily promoted the chain (including a special on [[Food Network]]). Meanwhile the Texas Roadhouse itself installed "Willie's Corner" at several locations, which is a section dedicated to Nelson and decked out with memorabilia of him.

No stranger to controversy, he released the Tex-Mex style "[[Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other]]," a song about gay cowboys, as a digital single through the [[iTunes Music Store]] on Valentine's Day 2006, shortly after the release of the film ''[[Brokeback Mountain]]'' (which also featured Nelson on the [[Brokeback Mountain (soundtrack)|soundtrack]]). He deadpans his way through the song, with such phrases as "What did you think all them saddles and boots was about?" and "Inside every cowboy there's a lady who'd love to slip out." The song was written and first recorded more than twenty years previously by musicologist/songwriter [[Ned Sublette]] and had also been covered, prior to Nelson's version, by [[queercore]] band [[Pansy Division]].

In 2006, [[Julio Iglesias]] recorded Willie's hit "Always on My Mind" for Iglesias' upcoming ''Romantic Classics'' album, due out [[September 19]], [[2006]]. This song was recorded 20 years after Julio and Willie teamed up for "To All the Girls I've Loved Before."

In the April 2007 issue of Stuff Magazine Nelson was interviewed about his long locks.<ref>{{Citation | title ='''Willie Nelson:''' The country-music icon on maintaining his long locks. | year =2007 | date= 2007-03-29 | url =http://www.stuffmagazine.com/articles/index.aspx?id=1837}}</ref> "I started braiding my hair when it started getting too long, and that was, I don't know, probably in the 70's."

On [[January 29]], [[2008]] Nelson released his latest album entitled ''[[Moment of Forever]]''.<ref>[http://gabesview.wordpress.com/2008/02/06/willie-nelson-moment-of-forever/ '''Moment of Forever''' review at Gabe's View]</ref>

The January 2008 issue of ''[[High Times]]'' magazine has Willie Nelson on the cover with an interview.<ref>[http://www.hightimes.com/ht/entertainment/content.php?bid=1497&aid=24 THE POPE OF AUSTIN, TEXAS HIGH TIMES Interview: Willie Nelson:: hightimes.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

In May 2008, Nelson appeared on a duet with [[Norway|Norwegian]] [[pop star]] and former [[World Idol]] winner [[Kurt Nilsen]] on the country classic "Lost Highway". The single topped the [[Norwegian charts]] and was released on Nilsen's album ''[[Rise To The Occasion]]''. Subsequent reports have stated that Nelson is eager to expand the collaboration further.<ref>[http://farojournalen.gan.no/id/1113 Trippel listetopp for Kurt Nilsen og Willie Nelson - Farojournalen<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

In May 2008, Willie Nelson appeared in Amsterdam with rap icon Snoop Dogg (the rap "weed smoker") where they did a live version of "SuperMan". Subsequently the two have become friends and recently released a video "My Medicine", which has received much play on YouTube.<ref>http://www.theboot.com/2008/05/14/willie-nelson-is-snoop-doggs-soldier/</ref>

===The Willie Nelson family===
[[Image:Willie UK2K7 2.JPG|thumb|right|Willie, and his guitar "Trigger", performing at Cardiff on [[25 January]] [[2007]]]]Nelson's touring and recording group is a collection of a number of longstanding members, including his sister Bobbie Nelson, longtime drummer [[Paul English]], harmonicist [[Mickey Raphael]], Bee Spears, Billy English (Paul's younger brother), and Jody Payne. Willie tours North America in his bio-diesel (aka "Bio-Willie" - [[Willie Nelson Bio-diesel]]) bus, the "Honeysuckle Rose IV."

Nelson's principal guitar is a [[C.F. Martin & Company|Martin]] N-20 [[Classical guitar|nylon-string acoustic]], which he has named "Trigger", after [[Roy Rogers]]' horse. Constant strumming over the decades has worn a large sweeping hole into the guitar's body near the sound hole. Its soundboard has been signed over the years by over a hundred of Nelson's friends and associates, from fellow musicians to lawyers and football coaches.

==Discography==
{{for|a list of singles and albums|Willie Nelson discography}}

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year || Movie
|-
| [[1979 in film|1979]] || ''[[The Electric Horseman]]''
|-
| [[1980 in film|1980]] || ''[[Honeysuckle Rose (film)|Honeysuckle Rose]]''
|-
| [[1981 in film|1981]] || ''[[Thief (film)|Thief]]''
|-
| [[1982 in film|1982]] || ''[[Barbarosa]]''
|-
| [[1984 in film|1984]] || ''[[Songwriter (film)|Songwriter]]''
|-
| [[1986 in film|1986]] || ''[[Red-Headed Stranger]]''
|-
| [[1986 in film|1986]] || ''[[Stagecoach (1986 film)|Stagecoach]]''
|-
| [[1988 in film|1988]] || ''[[Once Upon a Texas Train]]''
|-
| [[1988 in film|1988]] || ''[[Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?]]''
|-
| [[1996 in film|1996]] || ''[[Starlight]]''
|-
| [[1997 in film|1997]] || ''[[Gone Fishin' (film)|Gone Fishin']]''
|-
| [[1997 in film|1997]] || ''[[Wag the Dog]]''
|-
| [[1998 in film|1998]] || ''[[Half Baked]]''
|-
| [[1999 in film|1999]] || ''[[Outlaw Justice]]''
|-
| [[2003 in film|2003]] || ''[[The Austin Disaster, 1911]]''
|-
| [[2005 in film|2005]] || ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard (movie)|The Dukes of Hazzard]]''
|-
| [[2006 in film|2006]] || ''[[Beerfest]]''
|-
| [[2006 in film|2006]] || ''[[Broken Bridges]]''<ref>[http://tobykeith.musiccitynetworks.com/index.htm?inc=5&news_id=8130 TOBY KEITH • • Now Filming Beer For My Horses!<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|-
| [[2007 in film|2007]] || ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning]]''
|-
| [[2007 in film|2007]] || ''[[Blonde Ambition]]''
|-
| [[2008 in film|2008]] || ''[[Swing Vote (2008 film)|Swing Vote]]''
|-
| [[2008 in film|2008]] || ''[[Surfer Dude]]''
|-
| [[2008 in film|2008]] || ''[[Shoot Out of Luck]]''
|-
| [[2008 in film|2008]] || ''[[The Boom Boom Room]]''
|-
| [[2008 in film|2008]] || ''[[Beer For My Horses]]''
|}

==Books==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| ''Willie: Autobiography'' || 1988 || [[Bud Shrake]] || ISBN 0-8154-1080-8
|-
| ''The Facts of Life and Other Dirty Jokes'' || 2002 || || ISBN 0-375-50731-0<!-- hardback; ISBN 0-375-43154-3 large print; ISBN 0-375-75860-7 paperback -->
|-
| ''The Tao of Willie'' || 2006 || Turk Pipkin || ISBN 1-59240-197-X
|-
| ''Willie Nelson: An Epic Life'' || 2008 || Joe Nick Patoski || ISBN 0316017787
|}

==Awards==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! width="auto" | Year
! width="auto" | Organization
! width="auto" | Award
|-
| 1975 || [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] || Best Male Country Vocal Performance
|-
| 1976 || [[Country Music Awards|CMA]] || Vocal Duo of the Year
|-
| 1976 || [[Country Music Awards|CMA]] || Single of the Year
|-
| 1976 || [[Country Music Awards|CMA]] || Album of the Year
|-
| 1977 || [[American Music Awards]] || Favorite Single
|-
| 1978 || [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] || Best Male Country Vocal Performance
|-
| 1978 || [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] || Best Country Performance by Duo/Group W/Vocals
|-
| 1979 || [[Country Music Awards|CMA]] || Entertainer of the Year
|-
| 1979 || [[Academy of Country Music|ACM]] || Entertainer of the Year
|-
| 1980 || [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] || Best Country Song
|-
| 1982 || [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] || Best Male Country Vocal Performance
|-
| 1982 || [[Country Music Awards|CMA]] || Single of the Year
|-
| 1982 || [[Country Music Awards|CMA]] || Album of the Year
|-
| 1982 || [[American Music Awards]] || Favorite Male Artist
|-
| 1982 || [[Academy of Country Music|ACM]] || Single of the Year
|-
| 1982 || [[Academy of Country Music|ACM]] || Album of the Year
|-
| 1983 || [[Country Music Awards|CMA]] || Vocal Duo of the Year
|-
| 1983 || [[American Music Awards]] || Favorite Album
|-
| 1984 || [[Country Music Awards|CMA]] || Vocal Duo of the Year
|-
| 1984 || [[American Music Awards]] || Favorite Male Artist
|-
| 1984 || [[Academy of Country Music|ACM]] || Single of the Year
|-
| 1985 || [[Academy of Country Music|ACM]] || Single of the Year
|-
| 1986 || [[American Music Awards]] || Favorite Single
|-
| 1986 || [[American Music Awards]] || Favorite Male Artist
|-
| 1987 || [[American Music Awards]] || Favorite Male Artist
|-
| 1990 || [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] || Legend Awards
|-
| 1995 || TNN/Music City News || Minnie Pearl Award
|-
| 1995 || TNN/Music City News || Living Legend
|-
| 1999 || [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] || [[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award|Lifetime Achievement Award]]
|-
| 2002 || [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] || [[Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals|Best Country Collaboration With Vocals]]
|-
| 2002 || [[CMT]] Flameworthy Video Music Awards || Video Collaboration of the Year
|-
| 2002 || [[Country Music Awards|CMA]] || Vocal Event of the Year
|-
| 2003 || CMT's [[40 Greatest Men of Country Music]] || #4 ranking
|-
| 2003 || [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] || [[Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals|Best Country Collaboration With Vocals]]
|-
| 2004 || CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards || Video Collaboration of the Year
|-
| 2008 || [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] || [[Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals|Best Country Collaboration With Vocals]]
|-
|}

==See also==
* [[Academy of Country Music]]
* [[Austin Dam]] (until 1911 failure, and afterward until 1942 failure) (in Pennsylvania in the US)
* [[Best selling music artists]]
* [[Country Music Association]]
* [[Evergreen, Colorado]]
* [[Inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame]]
* [[List of best-selling music artists]]
* [[List of country musicians]]
* [[Music of Austin]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
*Allen, Bob. (1998). "Willie Nelson." In ''The Encyclopedia of Country Music''. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 374-6.

==External links==
{{commons|Willie Nelson}}
{{Wikiquote}}

===Official websites===
* [http://www.willienelson.com/ Willie Nelson's "World Headquarters" (Official Site)]
* [http://www.willienelsononline.com/ Willie Nelson Online]
* [http://www.legacyrecordings.com/Willie-Nelson.aspx Willie Nelson profile at Legacy Recordings]
* [http://willienelsonpri.com/ Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute (Official Site)]
* [http://www.livewillie.com/ Willie Nelson's Live Music Downloads (Official Site)]
* [http://www.clubluck.willienelson.com/ Club Luck]
* [http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/site/inductees.aspx?cid=148 at the Country Music Hall of Fame]
* [http://www.farmaid.org/ Farm Aid's Official Site]
* [http://www.biowillieusa.com// BioWillie Fuel]
* [http://www.wnbiodiesel.com/ Nelson's Biodiesel Company]
* [http://www.myspace.com/willienelson Willie Nelson - MySpace]
* [http://main.losthighwayrecords.com/artist.aspx?ob=ros&src=lb&aid=61 Official Willie Nelson Lost Highway Artist Page]
* [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/willienelson Willie Nelson] at [[Rolling stone|Rolling Stone]]
* {{last.fm}}
* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Willie+Nelson Willie Nelson discography] at [[Discogs]]
* [http://newcritics.com/blog1/2008/08/18/willies-world/ Willie's World] at [[newcritics]]

=== Interviews ===
* [http://www.kyndmusic.com/2006/07/23/willie-nelson-a-pot-smoking-long-haired-guitar-playing-outlaw-hippie-from-austin/ Willie Nelson: A Pot-Smoking Outlaw-Hippie From Austin]
* [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1243155 Fresh Air Interview]
* [http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,66288,00.html Willie Nelson Bets on Biodiesel]

=== Film ===
* {{imdb name|id=0005268|name=Willie Nelson}}
=== Photos ===
* [http://www.angelfire.com/planet/bozotexino Will at the Ritz 1974]
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[[Category:American country singers]]
[[Category:American country singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American male singers]]
[[Category:American Methodists]]
[[Category:Americans of English descent]]
[[Category:Baylor University alumni]]
[[Category:Country Music Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Golden Boot Award winners]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners]]
[[Category:Former Grand Ole Opry members]]
[[Category:Kennedy Center honorees]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Texas musicians]]
[[Category:Psychedelic drug advocates]]
[[Category:1933 births]]


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Revision as of 22:28, 10 October 2008

Untitled

The Biz Never Sleeps is the second album by Biz Markie. It was released pn October 10, 1989, on Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros. Records and was produced by Biz and his cousin Cool V, instead of Cold Chillin' in-house producer Marley Marl. The album proved to be a success, peaking at #66 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, as well as producing his most famous song and biggest hit, "Just a Friend," which made it to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on the Hot Rap Singles.

Track listing

  1. "Dedication"- 4:02
  2. "Check It Out"- 4:01
  3. "The Dragon"- 4:08
  4. "Spring Again"- 4:03
  5. "Just a Friend"- 4:00
  6. "She's Not Just Another Woman"- 3:46
  7. "Mudd Foot"- 4:16
  8. "Me Versus Me"- 4:47
  9. "My Man Rich"- 3:44
  10. "I Hear Music"- 3:52
  11. "Biz in Harmony"- 4:11
  12. "Things Get a Little Easier"- 4:12

Notes

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Willie_Nelson&oldid=244460383"