What Kacey Musgraves Just Called 93-Year-Old Willie Nelson Has Country Fans Smiling
Kacey Musgraves just gave Willie Nelson the absolute perfect moniker, and country fans couldn't agree more.
In a new interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, the Grammy-winning star opened up about working with Nelson on "Uncertain, TX" from her upcoming album "Middle of Nowhere. "Her description of the 93-year-old legend? "Everyone's favorite gangster great-grandpa."
"Anytime I can have everyone's favorite gangster great-grandpa on anything. I mean, I love him so much. He's the patriarch of truth, country music," Musgraves, 37, explained.
The endearing nickname perfectly captures what makes Nelson so beloved to all - he's warm, slightly rebellious, wise beyond measure, and someone literally everyone loves. As Musgraves mentioned at a previous Grammy event honoring Nelson, "Underdogs, outliers, republicans, rappers, presidents - everyone loves Willie."
This marks the third time the duo has collaborated, following "Are You Sure" from her "Pageant Material" album and "A Willie Nice Christmas" from "A Very Kacey Christmas."
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Working with Nelson comes with one notable requirement: efficiency. "He walks in, does the take, and literally, that's it. So it better work. He's like, 'I'm in my 90s... I'm giving you 30 seconds, and then I'm out,'" Musgraves shared, laughing.
Her response to that? "I f---ing get it. He's earned that. He's a true American legend; the man transcends space and time. He's absolutely amazing."
Nelson's one-take approach isn't about being difficult - it's about professionalism honed over six decades and more than 200 albums. At 93, he knows exactly what he wants and delivers it perfectly the first time.
Willie Nelson's Ability to Unite Everyone Makes Him Country Music's Most Beloved Legend
Musgraves also talked about her experience "in a recreational smoking situation with Willie Nelson," noting that you have to "be really careful" because "you're just like, I don't know how to form sentences anymore. My motor skills are completely gone."
But beyond the legendary stories and efficient studio sessions, what makes Nelson truly such a special human being is a point that Musgraves emphasized: "He brings so many different kinds of people together, which is one thing I really love about him."
At 93, Willie Nelson continues touring consistently and collaborating with artists across multiple genres and generations. His ability to unite people - from underdogs to presidents, rappers to country purists - remains unmatched in American music. He truly is one of a kind. They broke the mode when they made Willie.
As Musgraves joked about once suggesting Nelson run for president, his response was perfect: "Because I'd win."
Of course he would. Because when you're everyone's favorite gangster great-grandpa, that's just what happens.
"Middle of Nowhere" releases May 1 and features additional collaborations with Gregory Alan Isakov, Billy Strings and Miranda Lambert.
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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 6:54 AM.