Willie Nelson vs The IRS
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- My weekly chat over coffee. It's a good way to spend a Saturday morning, I promise.
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Good morning brother Otis 🌄
530 in the morning here in Washington state. I'm old and up. Thanks so much Otis! I'm on a small social security check. Can't afford to support you and I feel bad about that. Thanks to those that do contribute 👍
I hear ya, Tinman! And haey! Oz got nothin' on you!
From Wikipedia
Rheta Grimsley Johnson (born 1953) is a reporter and columnist for King Features Syndicate of New York. Johnson travels the country in search of stories, frequently reporting from her native South,
Hey Otis
Love your clips
I’m an old Austinite
I bought a metal file cabinet at the pedernales auction
When I got It home and cleaned it out
It was full of old newspapers
And a bag of weed!
I saw Waylon Jennings in concert shortly after this article came out. He asked the audience, “ are you concerned about Willie Nelson?“. The crowd responded enthusiastically.
Waylon went on to say,” I ain’t because he’s not“.
Waylon went on to explain,” I called him up and asked him,Willie, $18 million?”
He went on to say that Willie Nelson responded by saying” yeah but if you say it real fast, it doesn’t sound like a lot“
Wow that's deep connection
I recall Willie knowing the Tax Man was coming, and were going to take all his stuff and homes--everything. The one thing he cherished, his guitar, Trigger--he gave to his daughter to take to her home in Maui, so thats where it was during all this. Glad to know the IRS got zilch out of all of this, and Friends of Willie banded together to buy what they could to return to him...Willie beat the Man.
I watched an interview between Dan Rather and Willie Nelson and a funny point came out - Willie owed the IRS so much that they wouldn't imprison him, they wanted him to keep performing so they could get their money. Willie is definitely a Texas icon.
About Willie's golf course, I remember him being interviewed on 60 Minutes while playing a round on that course. He was asked when he was going to retire. His reply, "I play guitar and I play golf. Which one do you want me to give up?"
Also, I'm on 74 in Pittsboro and it's snowing pretty good right now. Glad to see Indianapolis is clear. Little Miss I'm-from-Chicago is driving. She didn't like my Los Angeles bred style of seeing an open stretch of freeway and flooring it. Probably for the best. Stay warm!
Our local newspaper The Decatur Daily(Alabama) used to feature Reta Johnson articles. They were always entertaining
Yes we did. Rita lived over in or near iuka, miss. Her column was syndicated. She was always very nice.
For my whole life up till 2020, I was one of those people who always said I don't like country music but I do like Johnny Cash or Willie Nelson. Well I started finding more artists and soon there were so many I liked I couldn't deny it any more. Now? I fricking love country music and I'm not ashamed to say it. I feel like discovering this channel shortly after my month long George Jones addiction that really got me into it has really enriched my enjoyment of the genre and there's just so much music and artists I can never write off any genre. Thanks for all you've done that's helped myself and others cause we really appreciate it Otis. Hope you all have a good day.
I saw the HIghwaymen in Melbourne Aus in the late 90s. 15 years after the show, I met an older couple in a neighboring town who went to the same show. They were with a group of 300 who stayed in the arena after the show waiting for the exiting traffic to ease up. 45 minutes after the show ended, Willie came out with his guitar and sang to the 300 for almost an hour, solo. My wife and I left soon after the end and we saw Johnny and Waylon outside by the bus, waving to the gathered crowd.
I remember seeing Willie's 'IRS theater' in the 90s in Branson. I remember thinking it was pretty ballsy to name it that. I also had the pleasure of opening for Willie in the middle of a field in Nebraska. I remember the road-manager came up & told me I couldn't use the drum riser & I'd have to setup behind the keyboards. It was way too hot to argue so I just said ok. Turns out he was just jerking my chain & they moved Billy's one snare drum & hi-hat off the riser for me. I have the feeling that if I would have caused a ruckus, I would have been screwed...😂
My snobby niece knows Willie but I don`t deal well with snobs and avoid them. She married a guy whose parents are good friends with his family and their parents picked cotton with Willie back in the day. The guy`s dad lived on the same block in Oak Cliff, Texas as Stevie Ray Vaughan when he went to high school. He told me Stevie was always that good on guitar and they used to watch him play on the couch. He said Stevie was stealing food from some old lady in the area because he had no money to eat. I was able to meet Stevie and his brother because my sister met him through them and introduced me to them at a Jimmie Vaughan show in Dallas in 1985.
Stevie was very paranoid that the attention he was drawing was taking attention away from his brother and left but I got to speak to them both and shake their hands. I heard him on a Dallas radio station, Q102, while visiting in 1984 and he freaked me out and I became a big fan and finally got to meet him. I knew he was good but didn`t realize what he would later attain.
What makes me sick I dont think we owe Uncle Sam anything. The rest of us provide goods or services for money. Its like dealing with the Mob. But worse.
Excellent words for us this morning.
I’ve played since I got my first guitar in 1966, at age 6. ‘Always wanted to be a professional musician. My audience only got as big as my dog, & a few friends. I’m ok with that.
As Buck’s song states ,” All you gotta do is act naturally”.
You do it well, man ! !
"This coffee has got me a little too fired up here" 😂 Great video, great advice
Rheta Grimsley Johnson wrote for the Tupelo Daily Journal here in NE MS for years. She is a great writer and I always enjoyed her columns. Not sure if her column was syndicated at that time or not or if she still writes. It was obvious from her writing that she is a true music lover and also a huge Hank Williams fan. She lived in my hometown of Iuka, MS during that time and might still.
Always enjoy your videos and look forward to coffee with you on Saturday mornings.
Thanks Otis, I remember when Willie's IRS problems were national news. You are right people did help him out with the auction and he made an album. Thanks friend.
Good.morning Otis - lots of respect for being up front about the rough road most in the arts (music, writing, painting, etc.) travel. I started down that path in the early 80's at 20 year's old. No money, sofa surfing, skinny (refer back to no money) but mostly excited. Then a baby came into the picture and priorities change fast. Gigging just didn't pay for the formula and sofa surfing with a crib doesn't work. I made a shift, put the guitar in its case and got a day job. Fast forward 30 years - kids grown, good job and the guitar is out of its case. I'll never play to thousands (or dozens for that matter) but ever so often my neighbours ask for a tune over the fence and we sing a Hag song together (Silver Wings is a fav). I have utmost respect for anyone who chooses the arts, it's not the life for most but I love hearing your stories.
Be well all & be kind
Hey Otis..! I love ya man…but this time I need to “dispute your logic”… I’ve made a decent wage as a good,honest carpenter.. but that’s as far as it ever went.
In music,as well as the trades ( you mentioned a plumber..) there’s a whole other financial level .. where the next step needs to be taken.. into the business end of it.. if you want to be “rich”…
We’re all fighting the same battle.. but how big of a fridge do I need.? How fancy a car..? How fashionable our clothes..?
Love ya Otis..❤️💪🏼
PS… I’ve played bass in local bands most of my 68 years.. and now I’m learning guitar theory.. all for the satisfaction of it..I’m happy..✌🏼🙃
iM having so much fun after I got my studio done with my old band from over 40 years ago. We almost made it when we were young...and now we HAVE made it. No more moving equipment, no more club owners, no more song lists that please others but not us. And the world is my audience, with the internet, even though I only have 200 subs so far, all of them like me and us and none have thrown up on my pedal board or started a fight. lol
Happy Saturday, my friend.
I started my current job in 1990. It was a long, long time ago !!! Love Willie!!
I still listen to Willie's IRS collection.
Was it Willie who had a record confiscated by them, that was never released?
@@Caperhere The songs (demos, mostly) I listen to were originally released as a TV mail-order set.
Great article, Willie is the best American, in every way. Willies golf course is still there. Its really only 9 holes I think. He bought an old country club in spicewood in the 70s so that became his ranch and studio/golf course. You def want to talk to the lawyer. What I heard for years is that a lot of friends took all the gear out Pedernales before the IRS raided. What i always heard was that Darell Royal (famous UT coach) bought the property and sold it back to Willie for a $1, but Ive always guessed it was a little more complex. The IRS album he sold on TV was a brilliant move. He recut a lot of songs for that one that he didnt retain rights for, that he sold in the sixties, so it was a cool idea to get around ownership too. Then he cut a multimillion deal with the IRS and paid it off, thats pretty impressive.
September 11, 1993 willie was playing a little outdoor venue in the middle of no where at the Tice ranch in Twisp, Washington. 4pm show but got cut short because of thunderstorms. Pouring rain so everyone scattered. I told my buddy nows are chance. We jumped the fence behind the stage and when my feet hit the ground I saw willie step onto his bus. I yelled “hey willie” he turned around and stepped down. When I was a couple steps away I stuck out my hand and said Willie I just read your book and you have had one hell of a life so far. He shook my hand and paused a bit like he was thinking about what I just said and his life. He has these warm eyes the make you feel like your the most important person in his life at that time. He signed my hat bill and my friends coat and we talked a bit and he was back on the bus and gone. I still have the hat and I’m sure my friend has his coat still. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for the positive words Otis. They were needed! Have a great day, and have fun!
I had read that Willie had made a deal to record a solo album to pay his debt. I believe the IRS really helped promote it as well so ironically they ended up working for him.
I myself am a diy singer songwriter here in Virginia. I have been playing for over 25 years and have maybe made 100 dollars lol. With that being said I just quit my day job to write all the time. I'm 5 songs in to my 2nd album and have learned a lot. Everyone I play for seems to enjoy it and I was never told to NOT quit my day job so I did. I'm only happy creating music and chasing songs. My daughter is 6 and between hanging out with her and writing I'm happy.
I'm doing everything myself and it is very time consuming but I enjoy it. I'm finally able to get this stuff down and through a distributor have gotten it on Spotify and all the major stores where you can stream.
I really just need to chase songs and follow my guitar. Now, how the hell am I going to pay my taxes🤣🤔
Thank you brother
Thanks Otis. Never heard so much wisdom distilled into 20 minutes- and without an iota of BS.
Great advice of “you being you without compromising”
Good one Otis. Greetings from the Mother of all Cultural Deserts, Florence SC
That write-up on Willie is a beautiful piece of writing. I wish there was a follow-up by that writer, because the genius of Willie has been rolling along, better and better, through the 32 years since she wrote that, and I would love to hear her describe it the way she did back in 1990.
These videos are an always click for me. Whether I see it that week or not, I always come back and watch when I have a few minutes
Thanks Otis for your words of wisdom, which are well taken. It feels to me like we are in a community through these videos which I appreciate. Through the computer and videos, this huge country becomes more accessible and known. I have always defined musical success as just working on connecting with past music and sharing whatever you have picked up whenever you can. I am lucky enough to have been able to keep learning and hopefully improving. From Hank Williams to Cash to Willie Nelson, the music was timeless and spoke to people directly, just like your videos. Connection builds community, and as long as you reach even one person, you’ve done your job Keith Richards once said. So congratulations to you for building awareness and community through your music and videos. We musicians have to build culture from experiences and that is what makes things more soulful in a world that may not realize just how important that really is. Musicians, like other artists, enrich those around them with the work they do. Like a mural in a public space, it just enlivens the space it inhabits. The struggle is real but the experience of reaching into the void of silence and putting something beautiful is often its own reward. That being said, if you have put time into your craft you deserve whatever good possible. I am more impressed by anyone learning and playing an instrument than any DJ. Hats off to anyone gutsy enough to venture into the uncertainty of the arts, and I am so grateful that we get to build community however we can.
Hope you don't mind, I shared this to Facebook. Some great wisdom and insight.
Otis, I'm your age, I've got no talent but I've scratched a living writing music for TV.
I've never had a proper job!
It's all a matter of fearing a proper job enough.
Hey buddy you always make my coffee better sorry haven't been active broke some fingers now I play my guitars even worse but thanks for the story and the laughs
Today is my 50th birthday, and I'm spending it alone. I was thinking of the famous speech from the late basketball coach Jim Valvano where he says "If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day." Well, I've done some thinking today, shed a few tears (thanks to John Farnham singing Help with the Melbourne Symphony), but I hadn't laughed... until I watched this video. Big thanks Otis.
Happy Birthday, EJ and much love to ya! : )
Thanks Otis! 🎵😎👍
Great Advice for all walks of Life! Agism is the one acceptable form of discrimination that is rampant in our Society it seems,
Otis you're a hoot this morning! And a wise hoot. That sounds like I'm describing an owl, I suppose, but I mean that in the best way possible. ♥
One more comment: A friend of mine suggested your channel yesterday. I checked it out today starting with the Willie IRS video. Then I clicked on your Darker Side of Me video. I said, "hey, I know this song!" You're already in my playlist. Anyway, that was a cool surprise.
Many are called!few are chosen!
On the bulletin board at work is a printed list of the national holidays. I penciled in Feb 2nd ground hog day and April 29th Willie Nelson’s birthday after you mentioned in a video once that it should be one. No one at work found it humorous 🤷🏻
14:05 - 14:19 Damn near brought me to tears..... well said.
Another one here who doesn't like "Country Music". However there is a whole genre of music, that might as well be called Country Music, that is well written, excellently performed. And a treat to listen to. Of course Willie is included in that.
Another great video Otis. I've been on a big Willie kick lately. Phases and Stages has been on repeat. The algorithm got it right this morning with this one :)
Some other tips on being a DIY musician I've heard from from Otis- #1 don't touch the thermostat until you just can't take the cold anymore, #2 keep your car going as long as you can.
Indeed... if you're going to do music... you got to do it for yourself.. and expect... nothing... just how it is... thanks for posting today :)
Otis there is a really nice interesting interview with ole willie on Art Bell i asume you may have already heard it or maybe not but i felt obligated to speak up on that
& Thank you for your kindness to display and discuss this matter of musical historical events
Been there. Done that. Goddamn great Otis. Appreciate.
Good Morning Otis
I enjoyed your video chat today. I remember that people came to Willie’s IRS auction and bought some stuff and then took it to Willie and gave it back to him, that’s awesome I think!
Have a great weekend!
Thank you
Amazing advice on how to be an artist on your terms. It's great. And I mean great. Oughta go viral.
Thank you sir.
More Willie stories please!! -sincerely young musician raised in Austin, Tx
Good video and good message, Otis. Thank you always.
Willie and Waylon were very tight - he had a small office in Waylons basement studio in Nashville - I had a deal worked out to take over Waylon’s studio in his former home in Nashville - a few days before I was to sign the lease Nashville got 10 inches of rain and flooded the entire studio - and low and behold there was Willies back room office in that space.
Love Willies book!! Thanks Otis! Blessings to you and Ms. Amy!
Otis you are so right ,in the arts you really should follow your heart and passion and let that be the guiding force ,artifice and all that is bs...even if it gains you fame and fortune.
I love the Festus shout-out. My beloved Bottle Rockets led me to you.
I was gonna leave a compliment to ya in regards to your sage and experienced advice, along with the telling of your adventures, from a seasoned "older" gent until I looked up your birth year. I'm 20 years your senior! 😐
Great wisdom. My favourite band Larkin Poe who were on Willie's Outlaw tour have managed to keep their creativity true by self producing etc. I feel they're successful in a real way. Touring world wide at a dizzying pace. Through them I have a better perspective of music as a career.
You always make our Saturday mornings better here at the ranch Otis. Thanks for your encouragement and your kindness ! $3.65 !
I really enjoy your podcast Otis
Hey im in Longview Texas right now. Elvis Presley played one of his first shows here I wonder if she wrote about that. Come to Texas man . I can show you Elijah's Church which I'm a member.
That’s good advice . Thanks ..
ive really enjoyed your show and insight into the music world
I love it when you go off subject, and open up about things Otis, and your little gem of advice at the end is right on target, do what you want, and live with the consequences👍🏻👍🏻 take man
I remember Willie's sister Bobbi said they saved her German piano from the IRS. Willie bought it for their recording studio and it was used on most of the albums since the late 1970's.
DIY til I die!! Right there with you, Otis.
You're the best, Otis! I play bass in several bands in the Evansville area. I tell the crowd to check you out on UA-cam.
Words of wisdom from the original OG !! Howdy do Howdy do check check howdy dooo✌️😎
Me born in 1990
Dolly , she helped a lot ❤
Ya never hear anyone say pshaw anymore. Gram used to.
Hi Otis. Thank you for being so honest and spot-on about the arts and making music. Success is defined by your own standards. It is very true. It took me a while to realize this. God bless Willie as he is testament to the face of adversity.
another great one brothr otis great find this aricle that she mentions hoati alger and is intelligen honest and pinioiatd leads me to think she was likely a gonzo journalist nice one - SJOCR
I remember this happening, I was 10 years old. I actually got to hear the story from kris Kristofferson himself! It’s insane to think that was as long ago as I was.
He actually owned a recording studio. The golf course came along for the ride. Also, don't forget his "IRS Tapes" album. He did that one to get out from under the IRS's thumb.
Saw Willie's IRS tour at a club/bar in Phoenix. Whiskey River was first number. They closed with Whiskey River.
I am not a musician myself, but some of my oldest & "bestests" friends(blood brothers more like it)who were very talented singer/songwriters/musicians. One pal has recorded 3 or 4 professional albums that received very little airplay. Another musican friend died a couple years ago & his greatest claim to fame was a gig backing up Percy Sledge in a nostalgia tour back in the '90s. You gotta do it for the love of it.
Otis, as always..... Thanks for giving a damn!
Smoke em' if ya got em' .... even if ya don't ✌
I hate new country music but I dig Johnny Cash, George Jones,Johnny Paycheck,Waylon Jennings.Born in Mowrystown Ohio not a music mecca but I carry on Red Rose Hillbillies.
I'm sat here at work (making false teeth) you either like Willie or you're wrong! I keep my guitar here, the guitar you signed for me in Nottingham Otis. I'm going to play the song I feel willie wrote for me...damn old father time for stealing home. Everytime I play this, I can hardly finish it. Thanks mate...keep the faith 👍
,
She had me at,Lyric fodder.
I whole heartedly agree that the arts are harder than most careers but I will say that with any skill you still have to put in the work and avoid a lot of the same pitfalls that ruin so many great artists. I've been a Machinist for 30 years and most people think I'm pretty good at it but for all the money that can be made in my business through my own life choices I've never seen much of it. I'm not complaining, just mussing on the idea. Love ya man!
Frank Zappa said "keep making music even if people hate you". Been there done the raging crowds stomping for encore and played to indifferent or empty audiences. We used to say we've played in every shit hole in this town...been heckled and asked for an autograph. I've opened for "big" acts some were pretentious assholes some wonderful people. The music business sucks and I wish I could change things...ain't gonna happen. But I wouldn't give up music or my memories for anything. Thanks.
man otis, I would really love to hear your thoughts on Sierra Ferrell. I think she is one of the greatest contemporary alt country singers I have ever heard.
2:59 That's "annals". ;) Carry on.
God put Willie here to entertain us. He gives us all some kind of gift. It's our responsibility and if we don't use it we lose it. Willie took full advantage of God's gifts and will up to the end. As for the IRS I have other words.
I've always said Willie is the most beloved living American
Along about that time I heard Willie payed his band exceptionally well saying he had already earned enough money. There are urban legends in some communities about a local house burning, it belonged to Willie, and was torched to keep from the IRS.
What an insane piece of writing. Where is this writer?
We don’t choose music; music chooses us. And if we don’t listen to the calling we diminish ourselves. That may be the best reason of all to stick with it, regardless of commercial success.
I wish I could find resources online about building a space to play intimate acoustic music unamplified.
I lived in Texas in the `70's through 1986. My friend Dave MacNair was Willie's engineer and I never heard him say anything remotely bad about Willie.
Willie had a fire at his house, too. But one thing didn’t get burned. Well, not on that day, anyway.😂
Annals not anals .
Advice; keep your own publishing. Wasn't there a story about Willie selling his publishing for pennies in the early days?, or was that documented already by OG.
I love it when Otis gets off track.