Willie Nelson turns 80 years old in less than a month, but that's not stopping him from making another trip to Freedom Hall in Johnson City.  Willie's 80th Birthday Tour stops in the Tri-Cities next Thursday, April 4th.  Tickets can be purchased through Freedom Hall's website at www.johnsoncitytn.org/freedomhall/.  You can RSVP to Willie's own event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/events/329689447150324/.

Willie Nelson has enjoyed a very storied life and career.  Born in Abbott, Texas, he's spent time in the Air Force, a couple years at Baylor University and lived in Canada.  That was all before 1960.  Willie's music career began in the 1950's before moving to Nashville in 1960.  Willie was a regular at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge.  He played bass for the Cherokee Cowboys and experienced his first big success when Patsy Cline made a hit of his song "Crazy."

Wllie retired and moved back to Texas in 1972.  His time away from the music scene didn't last long and he signed with Atlantic Records the next year.  In 1975, "Red Headed Stranger" came out, just a few years before he hooked up with this writer's favorite Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter and Tompall Glaser to record "Wanted! The Outlaws."  Outlaw country was born, and as they say, the rest is history.