A four-part docu-series, "Willie Nelson & Family" goes live on the Paramount+ streaming service on Thursday (Dec. 21), making it a prime viewing option over Christmas weekend.
Per the official trailer, the series deep-dives into Nelson's life and career, from his humble upbringing in Abbott, Texas to his rise from a struggling Nashville songwriter to a household name. Other legendary artists chime in about Nelson's story and his impact on their lives and music. Nelson's charitable work for America's farmers and his activism for his fellow marijuana users gets covered, as well.
The trailer shows that it's not all positive, teasing a segment about Nelson's early '90s legal issues with the IRS.
"Willie Nelson & Family" debuted in January at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. It was met with critical acclaim.
Following Sundance, The Hollywood Reporter wrote that the film "is a love letter, to be sure, and like Nelson himself it doesn't dwell on negativity, but there's nothing simplistic or naive about it. 'Willie Nelson & Family' is a portrait of a man who has made music and lived life on his own terms, in good times and bad."
The series' Paramount+ debut will be its first widespread release.
How to Watch "Willie Nelson & Family"
Courtesy of Paramount+
The four-part docu-series will be available exclusively on Paramount+ beginning on Thurs., Dec. 21. It's available only to subscribers.
The Taylor Sheridan Tie
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"Yellowstone" creator Taylor Sheridan played a large part in the project. He executive produced the four-parter alongside Oren Moverman and director Thom Zimny
"Willie's music formed the soundtrack of my youth," Sheridan said in a press release. "His songwriting helped shape me as a storyteller. Willie is a national treasure, and his story will serve as inspiration for all those seeking their own path that leads away from the clouds of compromise. Willie has opened his life to us —warts and all— to serve as a beacon to overcoming failure, realizing dreams and keeping your compass once the dream is achieved."
Zimny's best known for his documentaries about Bruce Springsteen. The director had won a Grammy (Best Music Film) for 2005's "Wings For Wheels: The Making of Born to Run" and a pair of Emmy awards: Outstanding Picture Editing for a Variety Program for 2001's "Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band: Live in New York City" and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special for 2018's "Springsteen on Broadway."
Zimny and "Time Out of Mind" director Moverman had access to Nelson's archives for the project.
"It's been an honor of a lifetime to live in Willie World and travel this long road with the great man and his family," Zimby and Moverman shared in a joint statement. "Willie is the last of the consensus artists in America, bringing together people from across every divide: age, class, race, orientation, political affiliation and more. And so this series, like Willie's music, is about healing. Let there be more of it. Let it be as deeply felt as Willie Nelson. We couldn't be more grateful."
Longtime Nelson manager Mark Rothbaum developed the series with Blackbird Presents founder and CEO Keith Wortman.
"Telling Willie's story has been a lifelong dream of ours, and we feel privileged to partner with Paramount+, Taylor Sheridan, David Glasser and their teams in bringing his story to the world," shared Wortman and Rothbaum in a joint statement.
What Artists Make an Appearance
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The trailer either shows or lists an impressive cast of Nelson supporters who provide insight on the country and rock hall of famer's lengthy career and his lasting impact on popular culture. Among them are Kenny Chesney, Dolly Parton, Brenda Lee, Bill Anderson, Bobby Bare, Shelby Lynne, Don Was, Jeannie Seely, Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow and Booker T. Jones.
Others chiming in include Nelson's children, his sister and longtime bandmate Bobbie plus longtime friends, business associates, scholars and fans.
It's Not to Be Confused With Nelson's 90th Birthday Special
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The film is unrelated to "Willie Nelson's 90th Birthday Celebration," a concert special aired on Dec. 17 by CBS.
Musical acts on that special included Nelson, Beck, Gary Clark Jr., Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg, Norah Jones, Miranda Lambert, Dave Matthews, Nelson's sons Lukas and Micah Nelson, Keith Richards, George Strait and Chris Stapleton.
The broadcast is hosted by Jennifer Garner, Chelsea Handler, Woody Harrelson, Ethan Hawke, Helen Mirren and Owen Wilson.
