We’re cranking the starter on another episode of Truck Driver Songs. This series of articles is one of the more popular at CDL Life and we can’t do it without your input! Tell us what your favorite classics are and we’ll post them up. Just let us know through our Facebook page!
This week is a well-known song by a true American songwriting icon, and again straddles the dotted white line between the life of a truck driver and the life of a traveling musician.
Willie Nelson is one of the most well-known country singers and song writers in the world. His impact on the culture of country and college rock genres like Americana and No Depression can’t be overstated. His country songs (either written or performed by him) have hit the pop charts dozens of times since the 50s. He’s been a favorite recording partner of music legends like Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings and Roy Orbison.
Willie is definitely his own person and doesn’t take kindly to authority or convention. He’s politically active, he’s gone to battle with the IRS, he is an advocate for sustainable fuels and loves to create conflict whenever he can.
He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993, and he received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1998.In 2011, Nelson was inducted to the National Agricultural Hall of Fame, for his labor in Farm Aid and other fund risers to benefit farmers. Nelson’s touring and recording group, the Family, is full of longstanding members. The original lineup included his sister Bobbie Nelson, drummer Paul English, harmonica player Mickey Raphael, bassist Bee Spears, Billy English (Paul’s younger brother), and Jody Payne. Nelson is also the honorary chairman of the Advisory Board of the Texas Music Project, the official music charity of the state of Texas.
So here’s a live performance of his classic song “On the Road Again” at the Grand Ole Opry to a standing ovation. If you can’t see the video below, just visit the original YouTube page.
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