Ever since Willie Nelson brought rednecks into an alliance with hippies back in the psychedelic '70s, Austin has milked its quirky libertarian spirit for a worldwide bonanza of free publicity.

In 2012, the city of Austin erected an eight-foot-tall bronze statue of Willie Nelson in the heart of the business district. Schoolchildren, churchgoers, tourists, slackers, conventioneers, tech geeks - everybody, it seems - now congregate around this ponytailed shrine to outlaw country.

Willie Nelson is not just a star or a headliner, he's a legend.

I always loved Willie Nelson, but I loved the songs that Willie made famous.

Working with Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson takes you up another level.

Willie Nelson, Marty Robbins, Merle Haggard and Keith Whitley - guys like that were huge influences.