Legacy Podcasts

We kick off our 18-part Willie Nelson podcast series with Willie, himself, looking back on his earliest musical experiences – his first poems and songs as a child, his first band as a teenager (with his sister, Bobbie), and his first job as a radio DJ, where he made his first recording (“When I’ve Sang My Last Hillbilly Song”). He and host Rodney Crowell also guide us through Willie’s early successes and frustrations after moving to Nashville. He wrote songs like “Crazy” that were huge hits for Patsy Cline and others, but had trouble establishing himself as a performer as he had done in Texas. Other featured songs from this time in Willie’s life include “The Party’s Over” and “The Man with the Blues.”

Recomended: Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride

Producer: Joyride Media

Standard Podcast [ 6:21 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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.”

Recomended: Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride

Producer: Joyride Media

Standard Podcast [ 7:41 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In the early/mid 1970s, Willie Nelson knew he was “on to something” in Austin, TX, but still had to deal with the Nashville music biz when making records. If RCA, his label at the time, wanted to add strings to make Willie’s records sound more commercial, there was nothing he could to stop them. His only recourse was to let his contract expire and move on to another label that would give him full artistic control.

After a brief, two-album stint at Atlantic Records, Willie Nelson finally got what he wanted when he moved to CBS Records with his 1975 album, Red Headed Stranger. It wasn’t what they thought would be commercial, but it ended up being Willie’s first #1 album. The more Willie did things his own way, the more records he sold, and struck gold again a few years later with jazz standards on the LP Stardust.

[Editors Note: The irony is not lost on the Legacy Podcasters here at Sony BMG Music, the current home of both the RCA and CBS labels. We're sure Willie notices, too.]

Recomended: Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride

Producer: Joyride Media

Standard Podcast [ 7:31 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Willie Nelson Podcast series now shifts from the MY OWN PECULIAR WAY biography pieces to TRUE OUTLAW STORIES.

Willie Nelson and and his longitme band members, road crew and friends bring us aboard Willie’s “Time-Tube” to give us all a unique look at life on tour with Willie Nelson. Host Rodney Crowell introduces the unique characters from Willie’s “band of gypsies” as go down the highway.

In this first piece, Willie reveals, “my whole family is about half-gypsy.” Despite the many traveling musicians in his family, his grandma had different ideas about how far from home Willie should go to play gigs. Thankfully, he convinced her otherwise, and 40-years later, he’s still on the road.

Featured songs: “On the Road Again”, “Texas in My Soul”, “My Own Peculiar Way”

Recomended: Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride

Producer: Joyride Media

Standard Podcast [ 3:16 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Willie Nelson’s True Outlaw Stories continue by introducing you to Willie’s longtime drummer, Paul English, as immortalized in Willie’s classic song, “Me and Paul.” When Paul joined the band in 1966, he also became the guy who handled the money after the shows.

Willie’s road manager, Poodie Locke and harmonica player Mickey Raphael discuss Paul’s role as the boss/judge on tour, and the guns he carried to help him deal with the shady club owners.

Paul is also very grateful of the opportunities Willie gave him. When asked what he would be doing if not on tour with Willie, Paul says his answer is always, “Time…I’d be doing time. I would have killed something somewhere.”

Featured songs on Rhapsody:
“The Harder they Come,” “Me and Paul,” “Nite Life,” “If You’ve Got the Money I Got the Time.”

Recomended: Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride

Producer: Joyride Media

Producer Paul Chuffo (holding microphone) interviews Paul English (right) in Austin, TX, March 2008. English’s brother, Bill is on the couch to the left.

Photo: John Rosenfelder.

Standard Podcast [ 3:56 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

WISH WILLIE A HAPPY 75th BIRTHDAY! **

We now bring you more of Willie Nelson’s regular cast of characters, led by tour manager Poodie Locke.

Harmonica player Mickey Raphael is spot on when he says, “Poodie was our first roadie…now he’s bigger than life… everybody know Poodie more than any of us. ”

Mickey also talks about lighting director Bud Rock, who lucked out of being aboard “the plane” while touring with Lynyrd Skynyrd, and legendary character Ben Dorsey, who once worked as John Wayne’s valet.

Rhapsody playlist:
Bubbles in My Beer, Seven Spanish Angels, When I’ve Sung My Last Hillbilly Song, Still is Still Moving to Me

Recommended: Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride

Producer: Joyride Media

Willie Nelson’s road manager, Poodie Locke – Austin, TX, March 2008.

Photo: John Rosenfelder.

** Legend has it Willie’s actual physical birthday is 4/29/33, even though his birth certificate and drivers license says 4/30/33. That gives us two days to celebrate one of our country’s great music legends.

Standard Podcast [ 3:56 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

WISH WILLIE A HAPPY 75th BIRTHDAY! (part 2) **

Today’s True Outlaw Stories come from Willie’s longtime drummer Paul English.

For many years, he was the guy who collected money from the shady club managers after shows. As you might expect, it’s not the easist job in the world, but Paul always knew creative ways to get what was due them. Expect to hear about forklifts, phone booths and briefcases full of cash.

Recommended: Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride

Producer: Joyride Media

** Legend has it Willie’s actual physical birthday is 4/29/33, even though his birth certificate and drivers license says 4/30/33. That gives us two days to celebrate one of our country’s great music legends.

Standard Podcast [ 3:57 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

When Willie Nelson hits the road, he hits it long and hard. Drummer Paul English recalls stretches when they worked 29 out of 30 days! He also tells how Willie motivates everyone to keep on going, though sometime at the expense of their health.

Recommended: Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride and Stardust (Legacy Edition)

Producer: Joyride Media

Standard Podcast [ 3:51 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Yes – Willie Nelson is a country singer, but his fans come from all walks of life. Even among musicians. Willie and Mickey Raphael remember stories about famous fans as diverse as Miles Davis, Jon Bon Jovi, Rick James and Ray Charles.

Recommended: Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride and Stardust (Legacy Edition)

Producer: Joyride Media

Standard Podcast [ 4:12 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Episode 7 of True Outlaw Stories begins with guitarist Jody Payne and one of his favorite tale of airport hijinks. Paul English then chimes in with some more of their more legendary pranks.

Recommended: Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride and Stardust (Legacy Edition)

Producer: Joyride Media

Standard Podcast [ 3:49 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download