Shotgun Willie is the 16th studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson, released on June 11, 1973. This album represents a pivotal shift in Nelson's musical style, which he described as "clearing his throat." After refusing to sign an early contract extension with RCA Records, Nelson hired manager Neil Reshen, who negotiated his release from RCA and secured a new deal with Atlantic Records, making Nelson their first country music artist.
Recorded in February 1973 at Atlantic Studios in New York City, the album features Nelson's band, the Family, along with Doug Sahm and his band. Despite initial lack of inspiration, Nelson penned the title track, "Shotgun Willie," in his hotel room, jumpstarting the creative process. The album includes covers of Bob Wills songs and features contributions from Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter.
Though it did not achieve commercial success, **Shotgun Willie** received positive reviews and helped Nelson gain recognition with younger audiences. It is considered one of the first albums of outlaw country, a subgenre that offered an alternative to the conservative Nashville sound dominant at the time.
