Willie Nelson:

Shotgun Willie:(1973)

The Troublemaker:(1976)

"hello walls":1978)

Stardust:(1978)

Waylon & Willie:(1978)

Pretty Paper:(1979)

Always On My Mind:(1982)

Few people will ever be famous, and fewer still will attain the "Icon" status that Willie Nelson has. Has the man written great songs? Yes. Has the man recorded some great covers? Yes. Has the man made a few cringe-worthy recordings? Yes, but come on, he's also got over a hundred albums to his credit in a career that's lasted over sixty years. Hell, included in these seven bits of vinyl that I posses, is even a Christmas album. And, I don't care for Christmas music. But, It's Willie Nelson. There's something so comforting about his voice. It instantly makes me feel at home. And as a guitar player, I have to drop massive amounts of praise on Willie for being such a distinctive player. Unmistakable, really. I recently heard one of Willie newest songs, It Gets Easier, and all I could think was, "Well, damn. That's why he's the master."

Waylon Jennings:

Heartaches By The Number:(1972)

A budget label compilation comprised of material from three earlier Jennings albums. Key track on this album for me is the reggae tinged Time To Bum Again.

Ol' Waylon:(1977)

One of his best selling albums, with terrific production by Chips Moman. And, though Luckenback, TX was the big hit, for me the key track is the cover of Willis Alan Ramsey's Satin Sheets.

I've Always Been Crazy:(1978)

I feel like this was Waylon at the hight of his Outlaw swagger, coke addled, and burning out. The look on his face on the cover says it all. Key track here: Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out Of Hand.

Waylon Jennings is a mountain. An iconic musical symbol of the American spirit. He is Rock'n'Roll. An individual who when faced with the industry not coming his way plowed his own path, and left a new highway behind him. That defiance and strength comes through in every song he ever sang, and at the same time you can hear sensitivity and tenderness, perhaps that came from having had to do it that way.