Raised by his paternal gradparents after parents' divorce

First public performance, recited a poem at a church picnic at age four

Joined first band, John Raycjeck's Bohemian Polka Band

Released first album, the self-financed No Place for Me; sold over the radio in Vancouver, Washington

Moved to Texas in the late 1950s; settled in Houston and worked as a disc jockey

Moved to Nashville

Had first success as a songwriter with the Patsy Cline song, "Crazy"

Duets with second wife Shirley Collie hit the charts

Debuted at the Grand Old Opry (November 28)

Moved from Nashville back to Texas after his Tennessee home was destroyed in a fire

Released what is considered breakthrough album, Shotgun Willie

Became established star with release of Red Headed Stranger album

Made feature film acting debut in "The Electric Horseman"

In the mid-1980s, Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash formed a group called The Highwaymen

First leading role in a film, "Honeysuckle Rose"; also wrote songs and music; earned Oscar nomination for Best Song for "On the Road Again"

Made TV acting debut in the docudrama, "Coming Out of the Ice"

Appeared in the documentary, "Hells Angels Forever"

First credit as producer, "Red-Headed Stranger"

Seven-year dispute with the IRS ended with IRS agents seizing Nelson's possessions (including the Pedernales Country Club and Recording Studio near Austin TX and his 44-acre Dripping Springs ranch, as well as properties in four other states and his instruments, recordings and memorabilia) in November, claiming he owed $16.7 million in back taxes, penalties and interest

Released Across the Borderline, with guests Bob Dylan, Sinéad O'Connor, David Crosby, Bonnie Raitt, Kris Kristofferson and Paul Simon

Featured on the Beach Boys' now out-of-print album Stars and Stripes Vol. 1, singing a cover of their 1964 song "The Warmth of the Sun"

Had a cameo in "Half Baked" as an elderly 'Historian Smoker'

Released the album, Outlaws & Angels; earned two Grammy nominations

Cast as Uncle Jesse in the big-screen version of "The Dukes of Hazzard" based on the 1970's hit show

Released You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker, featuring songs written by the late Cindy Walker; earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album

Second collaboration with Dukes' co-star Jessica Simpson, "Blonde Ambition"

Appeared in the comedy "Surfer, Dude" starring Matthew McConaughey