Willie Nelson’s Darkest Days – History of the Country Music Podcast

Willie Nelson lived 89 years and many of them were extremely difficult. But nothing was more devastating than what happened to him this winter 30 years ago.

This season finale of the Secret History of Country Music podcast deals with the death of Willie Nelson’s son Billy, who died of suicide on Christmas Eve 1991. It’s not a story with many secrets – William Hugh Nelson Jr. had some demons that caught up with him, even when no one predicted it.

A few weeks after young Nelson’s death, People spoke to friends, who admit that he had been plagued by alcohol problems for the past few years. One said he had a good time with Billy until 2 a.m. and when he dropped him off there was nothing to be concerned about.

Other major sources for this episode are the 1991 Associated Press news report and the St. Louis Post Dispatch. A gospel album called Peace in the Valley is also mentioned in this episode – which can be found on Amazon.

Season 1 of the Secret History of Country Music podcast is an expansion of the popular video series of the same name and part of the Townsquare Media podcast network. Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Taste of Country so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including the start of Season 2. Be sure to follow for more great country music podcasts.

See images of Willie Nelson over the years