Introduction:
At 92, Willie Nelson Shows No Signs of Slowing — New Album, Grammy Nominations, and the Songs That Still Make Him Cry
Fresh off the release of his latest album Workin’ Man: Willie Sings Merle, country legend Willie Nelson is proving once again that age is nothing more than a number. The project — featuring 11 Merle Haggard–penned classics — marks the 78th solo studio album of Nelson’s career and the 155th overall, a staggering milestone few artists in history can match.
This past summer, the 92-year-old icon also completed another extensive stretch of his long-running Outlaw Music Festival tour, performing with the ease, grace, and grit that have defined his six-decade career. And now, Nelson is back in the Grammy conversation.
His album Oh What a Beautiful World is nominated for Best Traditional Country Album — a brand-new category introduced this year. The former Best Country Album category has been reclassified as Best Contemporary Country Album, giving traditional artists a dedicated space at the Grammys.
Remarkably, the category is 40% Nelson: Willie’s son, Lukas Nelson, is also nominated for his album American Romance. This is only the second time in Grammy history that a father and son have been nominated in the same category for different records.
Despite a résumé that could justify retirement decades ago, Willie Nelson continues creating, touring, and pushing forward. In a recent GQ interview, he explained why:
“Singing is one of the best exercises you can do,” he said. “Your lungs are your biggest muscle… I’m surprised that I can still carry a tune. I’m 92 years old, and there ain’t a lot of us out there still doing anything.”
Nelson also expressed deep gratitude for the life he’s lived and the fans who have sustained him.
“‘Thanks’ is what I’m continually saying… So many good things have happened to me over the years. I’ve been very lucky,” he shared. “We did everything wrong for a while, and then we figured it out. Now we’re doing better, so, yeah, life is good.”
For Willie, performing live remains essential.
“They clap their hands and sing along…and go home feeling better. They agree on music. Every time, I leave feeling better, too.”
When asked which songs still make him emotional — even after thousands of performances — Nelson named two of his most beloved classics: “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground” and “Always on My Mind.”
Both songs remain emotional pillars in his career, and both continue to resonate powerfully with fans.
“I still think music is what brings us all together,” Willie said. “Politics separates everybody. Music brings us back together.”
At 92, Willie Nelson isn’t just a country legend — he’s living proof of music’s ability to keep the heart strong, the spirit steady, and the world connected.