Willie Nelson & Family

As Episode 1 of "Willie Nelson & Family" (2023 release; 4 episodes of about 50 min each) opens, we are on Willie's farm called "Luck", outside of Austin, TX as Willie talks about the Red Headed Stranger album. We then go back in time to Willie's upbringing and youth. Considering Willie was born in 1933, this provides a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of average (and poor) Americans. Turns out that Willie (and his sister Bobbi) were raised by their grandparents. "They gave us love and music", observes Willie. At that point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: let me state upfront that I am a casual Willie Nelson fac. I've seen him in concert several times over the last 15-20 years. When I think of Willie Nelson, to me he's always looked exactly the same. This documentary reminds us that in fact Willie took a long journey to end up where he did. I was entirely unfamiliar with his early output or what his background was (very humble). Episode 1 is stellar, period. The remaining episodes are pleasant enough but lack the element of surprise. There are plenty of talking heads along the way: Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney, Sheryl Crow, Rosanne Cash, and many others. By the time we are in Episode 4, it feels like too much. Meanwhile Willie Nelson, "like a shark", comments a talking head, keeps moving forward, now 90+ years young. It's Willie's world, we just live in it.

"Willie Nelson & Family" started streaming on Paramount+ some time ago. I just now got around to seeing it. If you are a Willie Nelson fan, be it casual (like myself) or die-hard, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.