Willie Nelson's Letters to America

by Willie Nelson, Turk Pipkin Narrated by Turk Pipkin

Overview

An intimate collection of fond memories, personal letters, good songs, and bad jokes from a true American legend.

"This is your old friend, Willie, sending a note to see how you're doing and to say I'm doing fine."

In this series of short letters straight from the heart, Willie sends his thanks and his thoughts to everyone from his family, his fellow musicians, his heroes, and his guitar "Trigger."

These letters, written in the straight-shooting, heart-rending, and profound style of his songs are a lyrical homage to all Americans-past, present, and future. From his opening letter "Dear America" to his epilogue, Willie digs deep into his heart and soul-and his music-to lift us up in difficult times, and to remind us of the endless promise and continuous obligations to ourselves, to one another, and to our nation.

These pages are also filled with the moving lyrics to some of his most famous and insightful songs, including "Let Me Be a Man," "Family Bible," "Summer of Roses," "Me and Paul," "A Horse called Music," "Healing Hands of Time," and "Yesterday's Wine."

Willie Nelson's Letters to America*is perfect for:

• Musicians and fans of country, bluegrass, and folk music.
• Fans of Willie's bestselling memoir,*It's A Long Story.
• Anyone looking for some simple and timeless wisdom and tasteful humor.

All Americans: who need to be reminded that "when the going gets tough, the tough needs a little inspiration to get going."

Editorial Reviews

American Songwriter Magazine

'In Willie Nelson's recent memoir Willie Nelson's' Letters to America, the country music icon bares his most personal epistles to the country he loves, his heroes and influences, stories behind the songs and the creative (and life) lessons he's learned along the way.'

New York Journal of Books

'Partly autobiographical, often funny, and entirely insightful from a cannabis-loving man who's fully experienced every one of his 88 years, Willie Nelson's Letters to America is a beautiful read for all.'

Kirkus Reviews

2021-04-14
An epistolary grab bag of memories, lyrics, jokes, and homespun philosophy from the legendary musician.

As an indefatigable touring artist, Nelson (b. 1933) has had a lot of time on his hands during the pandemic. Following his collaboration with his sister, Me and Sister Bobbie, the road warrior offers a loose collection of lessons from a full life. If you’ve never read a book by or about Nelson, this one—characteristically conversational, inspirational, wise, funny, and meandering—is a good place to start. The book is filled with lyrics to many of his best-known songs, most of which he wrote but others that he has made his own as well. For those steeped in The Tao of Willie (2006), some of the stories will be as familiar as the songs—e.g., the origin story of his nicknames, including Booger Red and Shotgun Willie; his time as a DJ and a door-to-door Bible and encyclopedia salesman; early struggles in Nashville with “all the record executives who only see music as a bottom-line endeavor”; and return to his home state of Texas. Many of the personal stories about family and friends can be found in Me and Sister Bobbie, but they are good stories from a rich life, one of abundance for which Nelson remains profoundly grateful. So he gives thanks in the form of letters: to Texas, America, God, golf, and marijuana; the audiences who have supported him and the band that has had his back; those who have played any part in Farm Aid or his annual Fourth of July concert bashes; and departed friends and deceased heroes, one of whom, Will Rogers, answers him back. Nelson even addresses one to Covid-19, which looms over this book, making the author itchy and antsy. Even at 87, he can’t wait to be on the road again.

Another amiable book that is just what you’d expect from Willie.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173308672
Publisher:	Harper Horizon
Publication date:	06/29/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged

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