Willie Nelson's admission of mulling suicide in autobiography leaves family and friends concerned
Warning: This article includes comments about suicide and depression that could be traumatic for some readers. Discretion is advised.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741).
SPICEWOOD, TEXAS: Willie Nelson, the country music legend, shocked his family and friends when he revealed in his autobiography that he previously attempted suicide. These loved ones are currently concerned that Nelson's demanding schedule might be pushing him too far again.
The 89-year-old 'On the Road Again' singer confessed he was once at his wits' end when attempting to make it as a musician in Nashville in his new biography 'Me and Paul: Untold Stories of a Fabled Friendship'. Nelson remembered a song by Lightnin' Hopkins about "feeling so bad until he lay his head on some lonesome railroad line and let it ease his troubled mind." In the past, when he was depressed and drinking bourbon in a bar, he recounts remarking, "So why not?" in response to the line.
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The 'Stay All Night' went outside into Nashville's major highway, Broadway, which was covered in snow, and sat down in the middle of the road, asking himself, "Why not let some souped-up Plymouth Barracuda ease my troubled mind? But there was hardly any traffic. If one or two drivers saw me, they swerved out of the way."
The country music star claims that he ultimately made the decision to return to the pub after 15 minutes to continue drinking. A short while after that gloomy period, Nelson began to have success in show business. In 1961, Patsy Cline popularized his song 'Crazy'. However, a source revealed to RadarOnline.com that his admissions concerning his friendship with the late drummer Paul English was "a huge shock for his loved ones."
"Maybe that's why he continues to work so hard, afraid that it'll all disappear," the source said. "People around him would like to see him slow down but the way Willie sees it, he's going to die anyway so it might as well be onstage, doing what he loves."
Nelson has subsequently written and released more than 2,500 of his own original songs, and even at the age of 89, he remains a significant figure in the country music industry. Furthermore, the 'Always on My Mind' singer has recorded more than 250 albums of original and cover songs. He has also appeared in at least 25 movies as himself and real-life people. The outlaw country performer will play dozens of performances this year alone as he resumes touring following a protracted absence caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.