Watch Pre-Outlaw Willie Nelson Perform “Hello Walls” Alongside Glen Campbell

Like many great artists, Willie Nelson has gone through many transformations but has always remained himself. It’s a tall order, as there is a hoard of exterior factors in the music business that continually try to recraft one’s identity for marketability and public reception. This happened to Nelson, as before he made his great escape from Nashville the man was seemingly bogged down by bigger forces at hand. However, once he did move, it was goodbye to Nashville’s version of Nelson.

Even though Willie Nelson’s outlaw persona and career pivot is what he is most famous for. He made and gave some pretty remarkable performances before his enormous transition. For reference, these were the years when Nelson was baby-faced, buttoned-up, and booming with ambition. That being so, out of all the stellar music he made during those years, one of the most iconic moments to this day is his performance of “Hello Walls” alongside Glen Campbell.

The Short Story Behind “Hello Walls”

Before Willie Nelson became his own leading frontman, he was an established songwriter in Nashville. Writing songs for folks such as George Jones, Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, and many other country stars. Amidst his long list of music written for other artists, one of his most famous remains “Hello Walls” recorded by Faron Young.

Upon its release in 1961, Faron Young had already garnered a mass amount of respect in the country music industry. After its release, the song spent nine weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s country chart. Additionally, the song also reached No. 12 on the pop chart and gifted Young his first-ever top-40 pop hit. Needless to say, but the success Young had was also success for Nelson. As the song is one of the pinnacle reasons Willie Nelson became Willie Nelson.

Willie Nelson’s Academy of Country Music Awards Performance

Performing alongside Glen Campbell at the 1969 Academy of Country Music awards, this moment wasn’t only a glorious duet between two country icons. It was also seemingly one of the final moments before Willie Nelson shed his old skin and traded in a blazer for a jean jacket. When watching and listening to this performance one can see the “old” Nelson in his full and former glory. Between his appearance, the ’50s country harmonies, and grainy television lens, it seems we viewers get a taste of what Nelson was before his great escape.

Regardless of what version of Nelson you associate him with, his talent resides in both. Matter of fact, this stark juxtaposition between his two sides just further proves his generational talent. Both an authentic shapeshifter and musical jack of all trades, this Willie Nelson performance tells a story of musical metamorphosis.

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