April 30
WILLIE NELSON DAY.2
Born in Abbott, Texas (*very early) on this day in 1933, once just a singing cowboy, today a superstar whose major concern is the welfare of the American farmer. That’s pretty much the way Willie Nelson would describe himself.His major love throughout his life has been to sing and play his guitar. He’s been through several wives and not had much time to spend with his children ... not that he didn’t want to ... but the call of the road has been all too powerful for the bandana-wearing, singing cowboy. Willie Nelson loves nothing better than to travel in his bus (you’d recognize it with its colorful, painted mural) across the United States, stopping at music theatres along the way to sing to his fans.
His other dedication is to the plight of the American farmer. Every year, Willie leads the Farm Aid benefit to raise money to help the poor farmers who have lost so much to major farm conglomerates and big government.
Willie Nelson is no stranger to big government. He’s probably the only American to have owed $32 million in back taxes and paid every penny he owed including penalties and interest. He almost lost his Texas ranch, his bus, and everything else he owned.
But, the recipient of the 1989 Grammy Living Legend Award prefers to sing. “I’m on the road again...”
(*Willie’s birth certificate lists his birthday as April 30, 1933. However, family members have insisted he was born shortly before midnight on April 29. So he celebrates for two days each year ... and so do we.)
Those Were the Days, the Today in History service from 440 International
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