In his new autobiographic books entitled Me and Paul: Untold Stories of a Fabled Friendship Willie Nelson, the legendary person in American country music, opened the most intimate page in his life. Fans had long been awaiting the book and it explores his 50-plus year friendship with drummer Paul English, yet it also shows more personal details about Nelson and his life than they have ever heard before. One of the tales of friendship and artistic expression, Nelson tells the audience a chilling story of his previous experience one of the moments when he thought of killing himself because he felt utterly defeated.
The burden, which formerly pushed Nelson to the verge, is recounted in an anguished and self-revealing note. The frailty he displays is quite contrary to the image portrayed by him in the eyes of the people; the musician who knows no worries, who is relaxed and takes things in his stride. It tells us that even the legends are people who are products of not only tribulations but also success. The fact that he is ready to discuss this stage of his life contributes even more to his timeless authenticity and relatability.
Irrespective of such a dark journey, Nelson is clear that he is not about to take a foot off the music scene just yet. Not even close, he wants to live well, make music and do what he enjoys doing as long as possible. In his 90s he still lives the active life, which he attributes to the daily jogging and singing as some of the contributors to his healthy lifestyle, especially lung health. According to him, this routine keeps him physically and mentally in shape.
It is the optimism of Nelson that is glowing throughout the book. His perspective is also not only to survive, but to live. He views life as a pleasure to be experienced and to be optimized upon continuously, and this practice has helped him overcome even the worst circumstances possible. It is also the motivation to keep on performing live which according to him he intends to do in the years to come.
Via Me and Paul, Willie Nelson not only gives the readers some stories about the road, but also an uncompromising gaze into the human despair, the human endurance, and the human strength of purpose. His tale is that of survival both in life and the music business. Nelson is also realistic and focused and is in the present and his future as he contemplates on his past struggles. His old and new fans will be motivated by his story and feel free to know that the music and not the man is disappearing.