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Country Singer and Songwriter Willie Nelson.

Country music star and actor Willie Nelson. His best-known songs include "Crazy," "Funny How Time Slips Away," and "Good Hearted Woman." Nelson talks about his life before stardom: as a cotton-picker, Sunday school teacher and songwriter selling his music dirt cheap. (REBROADCAST from October 24, 1988).

17:51
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Other segments from the episode on July 5, 1993

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, July 5, 1993: Interview with Sydney Pollack; Interview with Maya Angelou; Interview with Willie Nelson; Interview with Charles Brown.

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Country Singer and Songwriter Willie Nelson

Nelson grew up picking cotton, and got his start as a musician playing in local Texas bars. Before finding fame as a singer, he sold songs he wrote to other performers, which later became hits. Nelson has a new memoir, called Willie, and an album of standards titled What a Wonderful World.

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Willie Nelson's Guide to Happiness

Country music singer and songwriter Willie Nelson has written a new book, The Tao of Willie: A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart. Nelson has been performing for over 50 years. He's recorded 250 albums and appeared in 25 films. He's also the author of a number of books, including the best-sellers Willie and The Facts of Life and Other Dirty Jokes.

Musician Willie Nelson raises a finger to the sky as he plays his guitar on stage at a concert in 1994.
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The Gospel According to Willie Nelson

Singer, songwriter, guitarist and actor Willie Nelson recently released two new albums. With "Spirit," Nelson is the first country musician to record with Island Records. He recorded "How Great Thou Art" with his sister, Bobbie Nelson. That CD is a collection of gospel standards, like "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee."

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