It's a Long Story: My Life

I am a big fan of Willie Nelson, enjoying the creativity with which he sings and the manner in which he can take a standard and change it into something else. I had bought his earlier book Roll Me Up which I found a bit boring to be honest. Nevertheless, I was keen to buy this book and read about his life. It is a fantastic unputdownable book that I enjoyed from the first time I opened it, completing half the book in the first session itself. Its well written, lucid and reasonably fast moving. It is quite an incredible life, what with his marriage to a 16 year old girl, having three children with her at a time when he hardly had any money, his long struggle and hustling to sell his songs and finally his success. He certainly took a long and struggling journey to come where he has. The story also covers his numerous moves to Oregon, California and around Texas before he finally settled in Hawai and also, the story of his wives, children from different wives and how he managed to keep it all one happy family (or so it seems). Obviously, there is the cheating and notorious side to him that is told somewhat matter of factly. There isn't a negative or unpleasant slant to his description of anyone and what shines through is a positive human being also looking to do good in the world. I enjoyed the book thoroughly, its an incredibly story that anyone would enjoy, but particularly anyone who is interested in the world of music. I had the pleasure of watching him perform in 2012 and 2013 including a concert in which at the age of 79, he sang and performed standing up for 90 minutes continuously. Perhaps its the pot. As America slowly moves towards liberalising the use of pot, Willie stands as an example of someone who seems to have thrived on it, not just in terms of creativity but longevity as well. Live on Willie Nelson!

This book had almost no surprises. Having grown up with the music of Willie Nelson, my impressions of him, about his life, his lifestyle, and his music were formed by what I heard and saw. He confirmed all my beliefs and impressions of him in this book. No surprises.He champions marijuana. No surprises. He has had tumultuous personal relationships and marriages. No surprises. It is evident through his music that there is an overall sense of sadness and depression in his life. It might seem strange to note his claims that he is overall optimistic, but that also makes sense. His early career was marked by refusals of producers to support his musical style and choices. To meet these refusals with continued efforts to find musical outlets while at the same time supporting himself by working at distinctly non-musical jobs, such as a door-to-door salesman for various products indicates optimism and self-confidence.His musical style, the storytelling style, is the story. As he details country music legends who influenced him, the reader can see that Nelson is a great synthesizer, combining all the styles he loves and adding his personal twist. That is one part of the story. Then there is the financial part with his battle at the IRS. A third story is his role as a songwriter for so many others, a role that led to many friendships such as when he wrote “Crazy” for Patsy Cline. Finally there is the story of a man with a strong sense of faith, a fair and honest man who never the less leads an exuberant bad boy lifestyle.There are no spoilers, no surprises, this is just a pleasant read that affirms what many knew about this great singer and songwriter.

'Night Life, 'Crazy' and 'Hello Walls, three of Willie Nelson's most wonderful and long lasting songs were almost sold for five dollars a piece. Willie was down on his luck, looking for work, and needed money. Thankfully, the man he wanted to sell them to, would not buy them,but offered him an opportunity to move on. This is but one little bit of info we learn about this wonderful, musical man.From a young age Willie had the music in him. Brought up by his grandparents in the little Texas town they lived in, he and his sister had a wonderful childhood. Not much money but love, hard work, and perseverance. Willie was always active, an athlete, loved the music he learned from Church, but when he was offered money to play honky tonk in a bar, he took it. Eight dollars a night, more than he made in a week picking cotton. He moved around a lot, every small and large town in Texas, Oregon, California, and then he traveled to Nashville where his life turned around.Willie makes it clear that family and friends come first. However, Willie was a ladie's man, and was out every evening playing his music. With three marriages behind him and several children, Willie admits he cheated, many times. He liked to drink, smoke pot, and play his music, but he loves his family, dearly. We hear all the stories, the people he met who helped him on his way from birth to this present day. He is now 82, still going strong, loves his ranch in Abbott, Texas, and that is where his journey begins and ends.He talks about his problems with the IRS and the multi millions he ended up owing. He glosses over his financial manager who he said extended the IRS claims. Willie refused to declare bankruptcy, and worked for years to pay off his debt. Willie is good to everyone, and it seems whatever came in went to those he knew. Lessons learned, however, and his money is now looked after very carefully.Willie gives his love of pot several chapters. He no longer smokes it, but he does inhale it. We hear of the times he has been picked up in his traveling bus. One thing Willie was adamant about, no hard drugs in his brand, none. He had a friend who liked cocaine, but that was his business. We hear about and meet all the musicians he played with, famous and not so. He has known them all, played with most of them, gone to the White House several times, and met the famous and infamous.One interesting point is that Willie does not remember several stories in the book. David Ritz, his co writer may have put the book together after hearing Willie talk about his life, and Willie may not have read the book of his life. No matter this is a rollicking, good read by a musician and song writer extraordinaire. To hear his music is to love him.Recommended. 05-05-15

I have always loved music but not necessarily country. That all changed when I went to a Brooks & Dunn concert for the first time. I also love reading autobiographies. Willie's book is a great read. It made me laugh, cry, and think a lot of my family now passed on. What a great storyteller. Every chapter seemed to give you something to think about in your own life within the songs he wrote. Keep your music coming, Willie.