Legendary Country Music Icon Willie Nelson Opens Up About Grief, Legalizing Marijuana, and His Latest Album
Willie Nelson, the 91-year-old country music icon, has just released his 76th studio album, “Last Leaf on the Tree,” a deeply personal and emotional record that confronts his own mortality. In a recent interview with NBC News, Nelson spoke candidly about the album, his grief, and his views on legalizing marijuana.
The album, produced by Nelson’s son Micah, is a poignant reflection on the passing of loved ones, including his close friend Kris Kristofferson, who passed away last month. The album’s lead single, “Last Leaf,” is a haunting ballad that Nelson has made his own, with atmospheric production and his signature tear-jerking vocals.
Nelson has lost many friends over the years, including Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Waylon Jennings, and has found that the grief never gets easier. “We all have to go through it in various ways,” he said. “And each time it is just as bad as the last time.”
Despite the pain, Nelson remains optimistic, looking to the future and excited about working with his son Micah, who produced the album and played all the instruments. “He’s a little renaissance dude,” Nelson said of his son. “It’s all art to him.”
Nelson also spoke about his recent collaboration with Beyoncé on her album “Cowboy Carter,” saying he loves her and was thrilled to be a part of the project. He’s also a big fan of her music, saying, “She’s great, and she asked me to be on her album, and I said, ‘Heck yeah, anything else you need.’”
When it comes to politics, Nelson is a lifelong Democrat who has endorsed several candidates, including Kamala Harris, whom he believes is a “real partner” on the issue of legalizing recreational marijuana. He’s been stumping for her and has urged his fans to support ballot initiatives to legalize marijuana in Florida and decriminalize it in Dallas.
Nelson’s latest project is a cannabis cookbook, a collaboration with chef Andrea Drummer, which will be released two weeks after the album drops. The book features recipes, including a cannabis-infused version of Nelson’s favorite sweet potato hash with eggs and applewood-smoked bacon.
Despite his many accomplishments, Nelson shows no signs of slowing down, with plans to get back on the road soon and continue making music.
