Sep 6, 1929

Ira Nelson marries Myrle Greenhaw in Newton County, Arkansas. They have two children who become musicians: piano player Bobbie Lee Nelson and Country Music Hall of Famer Willie Nelson

Apr 30, 1933

Willie Nelson born in Abbott, Texas, though some relatives insist it was the 29th. After writing "Crazy" and "Hello Walls," he becomes a major figure in the '70s outlaw movement, earning a plaque in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993

Oct 27, 1952

Willie Nelson marries Jewel Matthews in Cleburne, Texas

Jan 20, 1957

Willie Nelson has a daughter, Susie Nelson. In 1987, she writes a biography of her father, "Heart Worn Memories"

May 21, 1958

Willie Nelson Jr.--better known as "Billy"--is born in Ft. Worth. He dies in December 1991 from an apparent suicide

Jan 1, 1959

Ray Price founds the Pamper Music publishing company with Hal Smith and Claude Caviness. It develops such writing talents as Hank Cochran, Willie Nelson and Harlan Howard, yielding such titles as "Make The World Go Away," "Crazy" and "I Fall To Pieces"

Aug 22, 1961

Willie Nelson holds his first recording session for Liberty Records, yielding his first solo hit, "Touch Me"

Sep 25, 1961

Ray Price records "San Antonio Rose," the first tribute album to honor Bob Wills. The band includes Willie Nelson

Nov 23, 1963

Willie Nelson signs the papers to buy a 200-acre farm in Ridgetop, Tennessee

Aug 11, 1964

"The Music City News," established by Faron Young, celebrates its first anniversary with a pair of figure eight races at the Nashville Speedway. The winners: Willie Nelson and Roy Drusky