Willie Hugh Nelson, born April 29, 1933, is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor, and activist. He rose to prominence as a central figure in the outlaw country subgenre, which emerged in the late 1960s as a response to the Nashville sound's conservative restrictions. His albums, including "Shotgun Willie" (1973), "Red Headed Stranger" (1975), and "Stardust" (1978), achieved critical and commercial success, establishing him as one of country music's most recognized artists.