He is an American country singer-songwriter, author, poet, actor and activist. He reached his greatest fame during the outlaw country movement of the 1970s, and remains iconic, especially in American popular culture.

Now in his 70s, Willie Nelson continues to tour and has performed in concerts and fundraisers with other major musicians, including Bob Dylan, and Dave Matthews. He also continues to record albums prolifically in new genres that embrace reggae, blues, jazz, folk, and popular music.

Wikipedia claims that Nelson can trace his genealogy to the American Revolutionary War, in which his ancestor John Nelson served as a Major. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Nelson