Willie had to leave Nashville and the Nashville music industry behind to make his masterpiece - 'Red Headed Stranger'. He went to Texas where he remains today, and played a large role in making the Austin music scene one of the best in the country. After he was signed to Columbia Records he was given complete creative control, and he wrote and recorded this album.

Even Columbia did not want to release the album. He was told this song and the album was not releasable, as 'no one wants to hear just singing and an acoustic guitar' . But they had signed the contract giving him complete control so they reluctantly released it. As we all know this cover of Hank Williams' classic song was a huge hit for Willie, and the album went on to be a country music classic charting at #1 and going multi-platinum.

'Red Headed Stranger' is considered one of the best country albums ever recorded by many critics and fans. Myself included. It's Willie's baby alone, made against the wishes of even his own label. He knew what he was doing.