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Willie Nelson on the red carpet at the 2014 Grammy awards.

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By:  Stephen L. Betts

Willie Nelson will be honored early next year when the Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing pays tribute to the iconic entertainer and songwriter during their annual Grammy Week celebration leading up the 61st annual Grammy Awards.

Set for Wednesday, February 6th, at the Village Studios in West Los Angeles, the event will celebrate the artistic achievements and creative genius of the Texas-born musician, who will turn 86 years old next April. Since 2009, the Producers & Engineers Wing has honored such luminaries as T Bone Burnett, Jack White, Rick Rubin, Neil Young, Nile Rodgers and others at this special ceremony. In 2018, the honorees were Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz.

“Willie Nelson has inspired generations of musicians and fans, and continues to set precedents of excellence within the music community,” Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement. “We are privileged to pay tribute this year to an industry pioneer who perfectly embodies the tireless efforts of the Producers & Engineers Wing as we continue to raise awareness of the ever-evolving climate of sound quality and the increasing interest in the preservation and integrity of recorded music.”

Nelson, whose recently released LP My Way pays tribute to another legendary vocalist, Frank Sinatra, has previously been the recipient of the Recording Academy’s President’s Merit Award (1986), the Grammy Legend Award (1990), and a Lifetime Achievement Award (2000). He is an overall eight-time Grammy winner.

The 61st Annual Grammy Awards will air live Sunday, February 10th, at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

In October 2014 Willie Nelson received the Honorary American FFA Degree, one of the highest honors FFA can bestow, for his love for American agriculture and support of American farmers.

Photo:  Kay Williams

Willie Nelson receives award from Brenda Lee.

On August 29, 2010, Willie Nelson was honored, along with Fred Foster and Kris Kristofferson, with the Dale Franklin Award for their contributions to the music industry. Vince Gill hosted the event.    Brenda Lee presented Willie with his award, Jamey Johnson performed “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.” Randy Travis sang “Funny How Time Slips Away,” and Lorrie Morgan sang “Crazy.

“I want to thank all of my friends, and all the people in this town, that made it possible for me to be standing here.  Hearing all these nice things said about me – I almost gave myself a standing ovation.   I held back, though.” — Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson and Family broke the attendance record for Vina Robles Amphitheatre earlier this month. The Aug. 11 show in Paso Robles, California was a success for performers Nelson, Alison Krauss, and Union Station, as well as promoters Nederlander Concerts. To celebrate the achievement, the venue and Nederlander Concerts presented Nelson with a custom Vina Robles wine. Pictured with Nelson (L-R) are Nederlanders’ Marketing Manager Jennifer Anderson, Vina Robles Amphitheatre’s Managing Partner Hans Michel, Vina Robles Amphitheatre’s GM Paul Leatherman, Nederlander’s Senior Programming Director Mike Goldsmith, and Nederlander’s VP of Marketing Jamie Loeb.

S. R. No. 687

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Senate is today honored with a visit from a great Texan whose music is loved by millions of Americans; and

WHEREAS,Mr. Willie Nelson was born at Abbott, Texas, in 1933, was brought up in Abbott by his grandparents, and after high school he enlisted in the Air Force; and

WHEREAS, His career as a musical performer began when, at the age of 10, he played the rhythm guitar in a Bohemian polka band in the town of West, Texas; and

WHEREAS, During most of the 1950’s, Willie supported his family by selling vacuum cleaners, encyclopedias, and Bibles, by making saddles, or by working as a radio disc jockey, an then would spend his evenings writing and performing his songs; and

WHEREAS, He was the promoter for many North Central Texas appearances of the late, great Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys in the middle 1950’s; and

WHEREAS, In 1960, Willie and his family moved to Nashville, Tennessee, then considered to be the headquarters for American country and western music, and the next year, Mr. Faron Young’s recording of Willie’s “Hello Walls” was the No. 1 song in the nation for 12 consecutive weeks; and

WHEREAS, Since then, Willie has recorded 25 record albums and has written hundreds of songs, including such American standards as “Funny How Time Slips Away,” “Crazy,” “The Nightlife,” “Pretty Paper,” “The Party’s Over,” “Good Hearted Woman,” and “Pretend I Never Happened; and

WHEREAS, In 1970, he returned to his native Texas and since then has lived in or around Austin; and

WHEREAS, He was elected and inducted into the prestigious Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1973; and

WHEREAS, Since his return to Texas five years ago, Willie Nelson has become a folk hero to a whole new generation of music lovers, and as a result of the inspiration and encouragement he has provided to numerous young musicians, Austin is now nationally recognized for its music,  and the music industry has become a major part of Austin’s culture and economy; and

WHEREAS, This year, “Willie Nelson’s Third Annual 4th of July Picnic,” a day-long outdoor music concert, will be held on Liberty Hill, Texas; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 64th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby extend to Willie Nelson it’s appreciation for the enjoyment he and his music have brought to all Texans in the past, and it’s congratulations for his professional success and for the deserved high esteem in which he is held by millions of Americans; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the date of July 4, 1975, in conjunction with “Willie Nelson’s Third Annual 4th of July Picnic,” be declared Willie Nelson Day in Texas in honor of this great Texan, and that a copy of this REsolution be prepared for this distinguished musician as a token of esteem from the Senate of Texas.

Clower, Doggett, McKnight, Adams, Aikin, Andujar, Braecklein, Brooks, CLower,  Creighton, Doggett, Farabee, Gammmage, Hance, Harrington, Harris, Jones, Kothmann, Lombardino, Longoria, Mauzy, McKinnon, McKnight, Meier, Mengden, Moore, Ogg, Patman, Santiesteban, Schwartz, Sherman, Snelson, Traeger, Williams