Where I grew up, Bob Wills and his western swing was very popular. And western swing is not that far from jazz and blues.
Willie NelsonBut if you think of all the people who don't like me, just think of all the millions who've never heard of me!
Willie NelsonWhen I was growing up, Nashville was the place to go if you had songs to sell and thought you had talent and wanted to tour and be on Grand Ole Opry [radio show]. It was the big deal back in those days to play the Grand Ole Opry. And you could travel around the world saying, "Hi, I'm Willie from the Grand Ole Opry".
Willie Nelson