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By Carl Cunningham
October 2007
Willie Nelson is often quoted as saying, “I’ve had four wives, but only one drummer in 40 years,†a quote that says much more about musical loyalty than it does about Willie’s luck with women. That “one†drummer Willie refers to is Paul English, and he has loyally provided the backbeat on the road for the Willie Nelson Family Band since 1966.
An impromptu Texas radio show in 1956 was not only English’s first performance with Willie Nelson; it was also his first time playing a percussion instrument. From that simple, informal first gig, English joined Nelson’s live band 10 years later and has logged millions of miles and thousands of hours touring the world with Nelson, his younger brother Billy, Nelson’s sister Bobby on piano, and the rest of the band.
Willie’s “one-drummer†quote is accurate for the Family Band’s road shows, but he has employed numerous other drummers—including English—for recording sessions.
With his trademark Western fedora, black leather jacket, and neatly-trimmed salt-and-pepper beard, English’s uncomplicated country rhythm probably won’t be remembered by music historians in the same ranks as the all-time drumming greats like Buddy Rich, Neil Peart, or John Bonham, but he’s certainly earned his place among the classiest, most enduring of percussionists ever to perform in any musical genre.
Paul took time out during the band’s recent Canadian tour to tell us what it’s like being Willie Nelson’s drummer and friend for the last five decades.
The Music & Sound Retailer: What was your first exposure to music as a child, and your first instrument?
Paul English: My older brother, Oliver, was a fantastic musician, and my dad and my mother played music in church. We went to the Assembly of God church, a very conservative and strict kind of upbringing. In church, my dad was on guitar, and my mother played piano and sang. I loved music and started playing trumpet as a kid, taking lessons in school and playing in the church choir. Way back then, they’d take two or three of us from church…me on trumpet and a clarinet player and one on saxophone, and we’d go set up and play on the street corner in between the old-time preaching. I was maybe 13, and it was a lot of fun and was a great way to learn and get better playing music
M&SR: When did you first become interested in drumming?
English: It was Willie who switched me to drums in 1956. My brother, Oliver, was performing on a show with Willie on a radio station in Fort Worth, Texas. They needed a drummer for one show during the middle of the day, and I was available because all the drummers everybody knew were at work. I ran my own business and I could easily take time off during the day. All I could do was count one, two, three, four on a snare drum, but I knew how to keep a beat from my music training. I’m proud that my first and only job playing drums has been playing for Willie Nelson.
M&SR: What is it like being a member of Willie Nelson’s band, and having him as one of your closest friends for over 50 years?
English: Willie is extremely loyal, and that’s one of his many attributes. Willie’s not worried about having the greatest musicians on earth—or else he wouldn’t have me around—but he wants to have somebody around like me who he likes. He was gracious enough to model the concept album “Me and Paul†after our friendship. We’ve been friends for life, and I appreciate his friendship more than I can say.
M&SR: What are your favorite drums?
English: Lately I’ve been playing just a snare drum onstage with Willie, to go along with his recent stripped-down sound. I’m using a chrome Rogers Dynasonic snare, and a custom-made wooden Tommy Winkler snare—he’s a custom drum builder out of Nashville. Both of the snares have that very high, crisp sound I like…they sound alive. I barely touch them, and they just sing.
M&SR: What are some other percussion brands that you like?
English: I really like the vintage Rogers stuff. And years ago, Gretsch gave me a set to play, but I didn’t like the hardware. I called up Craig Gretsch and told him what I didn’t like, and they changed it up for me to where it became the set I toured with for about 30 years.
M&SR: Have you ever owned or played a set of electronic drums?
English: Years ago, I picked up one of those sets…it may have been an old Simmons or Roland set. It was four large pads, and you could set them to sound like anything. Willie came by to see me and I played them for him, and we both agreed that they sounded synthetic, which they are. There’s just nothing like playing on a wood drum kit.
M&SR: What other equipment do you choose?
English: I use Vic Firth brushes and Pro-Mark sticks. I really like the quality, the selection, and the prices of both companies.
M&SR: What is your music instrument dealer of choice?
English: Guitar Center is just about my favorite. There are many specialty dealers all of us shop with, but we just really like Guitar Center. They’re very nice people there, and when I buy guitars for Willie and the band to sign to give to charities, they give us a great deal on them. Really any time we buy, we try to find a Guitar Center.
M&SR: Is there anything music instrument makers can do to make the products better?
English: You know, I’m amazed at how good the instruments are now. They’ve come so far and everything across the board is getting so much better. Even with cymbals.