FULL NELSON, OR "IT'S A LONG STORY: MY LIFE" BY WILLIE NELSON

Even if you don't like country music, you probably have a soft spot for Willie Nelson. Like Dolly Parton or Johnny Cash, he somehow transcends the genre. Maybe because he helped bridge the gap between rednecks and hippies back in the '70s, maybe it's his easy-going public persona, or maybe because of his enthusiasm for weed (actually that last one might explain the first two), but people just seem to like the guy.

And Nelson's likeable character comes shining through "It's a Long Story:My Life." 

Raised by his grandparents in the middle of Nowhere, Texas, Nelson grew up absorbing music and dreaming of adding something to the eclectic sounds he was hearing. It takes a while, though, through stints in the air force, moves, and day jobs selling encyclopedias and spinning other people's records on the radio. Even when he was "broke as the Ten Commandments," Nelson was determined to use what he described as limited talents as a vocalist and guitarist, as well as his considerable writing talents to create lasting music.

 And music came flowing out of him - just his hits for other people in the early '60s is a formidable list - "Crazy," "Funny How Time Slips Away (which, like "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" is a song that I'll listen to just about any version of and probably like), and "Hello Walls," just for starters. Still prolific, dude released over 20 albums just since 2000. 

Nelson has a conversational style with a dry wit, and his prose is like his songs, simple and direct. Sure, he might ramble a bit, but there's a structure there, and a craftsmanship - like he writes about his songs "Simplicity is always the key. Get in there. Sing the song. Get out. My kind of singing isn't meant to be perfect. It's meant to reflect the imperfections of a human being like me."

Damn, he's looked old for a long time.

Even though you might have heard some of the stories before, Nelson is a master storyteller, and imbues them with a freshness that make this a quick read. Not only will Nelson's life story keep you entertained, you also get a master class in songwriting along with all the ex-wives, famous friends, political causes, and busts. 

Sex/Drugs/Bad Behavior
5/10. As I'm sure you know, Willie has been an evangelist for weed for some time now, so that comes up quite a bit. There's affairs and booze and fights and gambling and coke, but Willie makes it seem like good-natured hijinx.

Opens in Media res?
Sorta. After a short introduction, it opens with his '90s tax troubles and his decision to sue the IRS, which threads throughout the book.

Could We Hang?
Totally. If you couldn't hang with Willie Nelson, the problem's probably you. In fact, I think there's only one person in the book Willie had a harsh word for. This guy listed his phone number in Austin as "Willie Nelson" as a joke and had people leaving messages from all over the world. Willie found out and confronted the kid, saying "You gave these folks, who are already connected to me through my music, the idea that they could connect with my over the phone. These are sincere folks, proud folks, folks willing to pour out their hears, folks looking for a little love, kindness, and understanding. Folks who need to be comforted. Folks who need to be heard. Shame on you, son, for fooling them. That's a cruel thing to do. You've let these people down. 
 I would have shriveled up into a little ball after that.

You Might Remember Me From, or, My Totally Biased View of the Author's Best Stuff:
Nelson's like James Brown in that I'll come across an album I've never heard of and think, "I've got all the stuff by him I need," then listen to it and find something worthwhile. Any of the greatest hits collections will do you right - for full albums, I love "Red Headed Stranger" and "Stardust," his album of standards that sounds like it couldn't possibly work, but totally does - his sparse, haunting version of "Unchained Melody" is one of the best reworkings of a song ever.

Percentage of Music in the Bio
A good 60-70 percent. Nelson grew up listening to just about everything, and finds something to like in just about every genre. Not too much technical information, more feeling and heart. "I didn't take it in critically; I took in viscerally"

Buy, Borrow from the Library, or Pass
I know I'm a tightwad (though you wouldn't know it from my media shelves), but I don't see buying this one unless you find it cheap. Totally worthwhile read, but how many times are you gonna go back to it? Borrow.