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Willie Nelson
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 Although Nashville was cagey about 'The Outlaws' intentions and the way they went outside the system to get what they wanted, it recognized the pairs contribution towards restoring massive
interest in country music generally and voted them into top positions in the Annual Country Music Association awards, a sure sign of industry acceptance.
Refusing to be tied down to commercial considerations, Nelson has recorded such diverse album projects as Stardust (a set of popular standards), The Troublemaker (a gospel set featuring Larry Gatlin, Sammi Smith and Doug Sahm), To Lefty, fom Willie (a tribute to Lefty Frizzel) and Angel Eyes(featuring the jazz guitar artistry of Jackie King).
Willie also instigated the now legendary Fourth of July Picnics, massive outdoor festivals in Texas which have featured stars such as Leon Russel - Kris Kristofferson - Roy Acuff - Waylon Jennings - Tex Ritter- Charlie Rich and Asleep at the Wheel, in conditions which at times have been far from perfect due to the difficulties of trying to organize such a large event.
During the early 80's Willie became acknowledged as the 'King' of Country duets. Alongside his highly successful duets with Waylon Jennings, which resulted in the chart topping Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys winning a Grammy in 1978, he has recorded duet albums with Roger Miller, Ray Price, Faron Young, Webb Pierce & Merle Haggard, as well as guesting on albums & singles by Emmylou Harris, Pam Rose, Rattlesnake Annie and many others.
Poncho And Lefty, a duet album recorded with Merle Haggard, was named CMA Album of the Year (1983) with the title song topping the country charts. Nelson achieved even more success the following year when he teamed up with Julio Iglesias for the international pop & country hit To all the Girls I've Loved Before, which also won CMA and Grammy awards.
Willie has also made his mark in films, appearing in 'Electric Horseman' with Robert Redford, 'Barbarossa' with Gary Busey, 'Honeysuckle Rose' & 'Coming Out Of The Ice'. There is little doubt that Nelson has been one of the most successful country artists of the 70's, 80's, 90's and on, he has continued to chalk up many great hits.
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