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Artwork for One by Willie

One by Willie

John Spong
Willie Nelson
Country Music
Stardust
Farm Aid
Songwriting
She's Not For You
Shotgun Willie
Undo the Right
Texas
Red Headed Stranger
Adrian Quesada
Larry Gatlin
Pretty Paper
Tejano Music
Me and Paul
Lucinda Williams
Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
Austin Music Scene
I Never Cared For You
Teatro

Each episode, music writer John Spong talks to one notable Willie Nelson fan about one Willie song they love, leading to highly personal looks at the way Willie has shaped their lives and made the world a better place. Check us out on instagram: @onebywillie and our website onebywillie.com

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes84Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music CommentaryMusicMusic History

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Artwork for One by Willie

Latest Episodes

Nine-time Grammy-winner and bona fide reggae royalty Ziggy Marley talks about the closing track on Willie’s 1993 masterpiece, Across the Borderline, “Still Is Still Moving to Me.” It’s a song to be dug on multiple levels, from the hard-driving melody... more

Three-time Grammy-winning, supergroup folk trio I’m With Her—whose individual members Aoife O’Donovan, Sara Watkins, and Sarah Jarosz also have an additional four Grammy wins outside the band—discuss the one Willie song they’ve covered together, “Wak... more

In a special episode taped on Willie Nelson’s ranch at last year’s Luck Reunion, Taj Mahal—a true genius of the blues and roots music from all over the world—talks about the first song on Side 2 of Willie’s 1974 masterpiece Phases and Stages, “Bloody... more

Eurythmic Dave Stewart, who along with his bandmate Annie Lennox—and, of course, Willie Nelson—is a member of both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, discusses one of Willie’s most beloved songs of recent vintage, “Energ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Aoife O'Donovan
Member of I'm With Her
I'm With Her
Episode: I'm With Her on "Wake Me When It's Over"
Sara Watkins
Member of I'm With Her
I'm With Her
Episode: I'm With Her on "Wake Me When It's Over"
Sara Jarosz
Member of I'm With Her
I'm With Her
Episode: I'm With Her on "Wake Me When It's Over"
Taj Mahal
Renowned blues/roots musician
Independent musician
Episode: Taj Mahal on "Bloody Mary Morning" - Live from Luck!
Dave Stewart
Musician and member of Eurythmics, longtime collaborator with Annie Lennox
Eurythmics / Music industry
Episode: Dave Stewart on "Energy Follows Thought"
Bill Anderson
Country Music Hall of Famer, 65-year Grand Ole Opry regular, songwriter
Willie Nelson affiliated projects and publishing circles
Episode: Bill Anderson on "Funny How Time Slips Away"
Ali Siddiq
Comedian
Comedian/Guest on One by Willie
Episode: Ali Siddiq on "Midnight Rider"
Margot Price
Country singer and guest on One by Willie episode
Willie Nelson community/music scene
Episode: One by Willie x Nashville Now: Happy Birthday, Willie Nelson!
Paul Begaglia
CNN analyst and former White House advisor, guest on the episode
CNN, political consultancy
Episode: One by Willie x Nashville Now: Happy Birthday, Willie Nelson!

Host

John Spong
Host of One by Willie, known for guiding intimate conversations about Willie Nelson songs with a focus on personal storytelling and analysis.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Just want more

    I spent the past couple of months listening through every one of these episodes and I just wish there were more. Not sure if you would be open to it, but I bet a lot of non-notable fans would write in with their own picks and stories about what Willie means to them for a chance to be interviewed. I know I would.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JSHigg
    United States6 months ago
  • Great Deep Dive

    Inspiring and deep, John Spong’s delves deep into the life, wisdom, and exquisite music of Willie Nelson. His interview style is great. His guest list is deep and diverse. He delves into the story of the song with people who were actually there in Willie’s life and the creation process of the song.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stevopeach
    United States8 months ago
  • Best podcast

    I love music! If only every podcast could be as well put together as this one. Each one feels new. So many different points of view by people who understand music. My favorite listen! I love Willie and I enjoy the mix of songs and great questions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    405Fussy
    United Statesa year ago
  • I LOVE WILLIE!!!!

    Hey it’s Katy Harbison. I love Willie! I first saw him at the old McMorris Ford dealer on Lamar back in the early 70’s. He played in the back of a flat bed ford truck and he’s been my all time favorite ever since! I grew up seeing him at the Armadillo!!! Thanks for these wonderful podcasts John!!!! They are bringing me so much joy!♥️🎶💃

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    scarlett rose monroe
    United Statesa year ago
  • I Willie Love It

    I came late to Willie Nelson—just about a year ago, but was so inspired by him last July at the Hollywood Bowl. Willie Nelson has made me a better person. This podcast has taught me about his music, his life, and his wide-ranging influence in American music and culture. Listened to every episode and some twice and it has widened the music I have listened to. So great!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BobbyJohnC999
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans enjoy how personal memories and song analysis blend together.
Some listeners wish for even more guests and longer episodes.
Audiences appreciate the host's knowledge and thoughtful questions.
Listeners praise the deep storytelling and diverse guest list.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

I'm With Her on "Wake Me When It's Over"
Q: What did you want to highlight about Willie's original recordings vs. your version?
We wanted to show how the original groove can be translated into a more flexible, groove-forward arrangement that still respects the lyric's longing and the vocal interplay among the three of us.
I'm With Her on "Wake Me When It's Over"
Q: Why did you choose Wake Me When It's Over for this episode?
We picked it because its phrasing is irregular and rich, which lets us explore how Willie's vocal and guitar interplay can be reimagined in a trio format while staying true to the song's emotional core.
Dave Stewart on "Energy Follows Thought"
Q: If you could collaborate with Willie on a project, what would it look like?
I'd probably start by noodling around on guitar, letting Willie spark melodic ideas, and see where the music and conversation lead us in a free, in-the-moment creation.
Dave Stewart on "Energy Follows Thought"
Q: How do you think the song's message translates when stripped down to guitar and voice, as in your Dylan covers?
The minimal setup—just guitar and voice—lets the words breathe and the listener focus on the meaning, which is why I love doing it solo and live; it preserves the immediacy of the message.
Dave Stewart on "Energy Follows Thought"
Q: How did you stumble upon Energy Follows Thought, and what drew you to it?
I found it through an animated YouTube version and instantly connected with its lyrics and the sense of freedom in Willie's guitar playing, which felt like a personal revelation after a near-death experience that changed my life and career.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About One by Willie

What is One by Willie about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on intimate, personal conversations around a single Willie Nelson song chosen by a guest who loves or is closely connected to his work. Episodes mix door-to-door storytelling, musical analysis, and cultural context, with guests ranging from novelists and actors to fellow musicians and industry figures. The host guides guests through why a particular track resonates, weaving in memories, studio anecdotes, and broader reflections on Willie's influence, storytelling, and the American music landscape. A notable strength is the thoughtful balance between literary insight and emotional storytelling, often resulting in deep, revealing discussions that appeal to devoted fans and curious newcomers alike.

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Which podcasts are similar to One by Willie?

These podcasts share a similar audience with One by Willie:

1. Americana Podcast
2. Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond
3. Fresh Air
4. Talking Pictures
5. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

How many episodes of One by Willie are there?

One by Willie launched 6 years ago and published 84 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on One by Willie?

Recent guests on One by Willie include:

1. Aoife O'Donovan
2. Sara Watkins
3. Sara Jarosz
4. Taj Mahal
5. Dave Stewart
6. Bill Anderson
7. Ali Siddiq
8. Margot Price

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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