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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 that they love, leading to highly personal looks at the life, art, and legend of a genuine American folk hero. Check us out on instagram: @onebywillie and our website onebywillie.com

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes76Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicMusic HistoryMusic Commentary

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Artwork for One by Willie

Latest Episodes

With Willie Nelson turning 93 today, One by Willie hooks up with Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now and its host, RS Head of Country Joseph Hudak, for a special birthday collab episode. We’ll open with a look at how OBW host John Spong managed to turn lis... more

In another of our annual, Icon-on-Icon birthday tributes to Willie, 14-time Grammy winner and Country Hall of Famer Emmylou Harris talks about a song she sang every night with him when they toured together in the 70s, “Till I Gain Control Again.” It ... more

Matt Berninger, lead singer and lyricist of beloved Brooklyn rock band The National, talks about Willie’s 1978 cover of “All of Me.” It was the third single off his dad’s favorite Willie record, Stardust, an album Matt loves so much that, when he wen... more

Million-selling country star Jamey Johnson, one of the finest singer-songwriters alive and a man generally considered the walking embodiment of Outlaw Country, talks on the title-cut to Willie’s 2004 album, It Always Will Be. The song’s a simple, hym... more

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Recent Guests

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!
Nick Offerman
Actor, friend of Willie Nelson, guest on the episode
Parks and Recreation
Episode: One by Willie x Nashville Now: Happy Birthday, Willie Nelson!
Emmylou Harris
14-time Grammy winner, Country Music Hall of Fame member
Independent artist / collaborator with Willie Nelson
Episode: Emmylou Harris on "Till I Gain Control Again" (special Willie's birthday episode)
Matt Berninger
Lead singer and lyricist of The National
Episode: Matt Berninger on "All of Me"
Jamey Johnson
singer-songwriter and modern-era Outlaw Country figure
Singer-Songwriter
Episode: Jamey Johnson on "It Always Will Be"
Kenny Chesney
Singer-songwriter and country star
Country music artist
Episode: Kenny Chesney on "That Lucky Old Sun"
George Saunders
Novelist
Author
Episode: Introducing One by Willie, Season 7
Taj Mahal
Blues great
Musician
Episode: Introducing One by Willie, Season 7

Host

John Spong
Host of One by Willie, John Spong engages his guests in meaningful discussions about their favorite Willie Nelson songs, exploring personal stories and the cultural significance of music.

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 States3 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 States4 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 States7 months 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 States9 months 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 States10 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the personal and emotional depth of conversations about Willie Nelson's music, celebrating the unique format where guests discuss their favorite songs.
Overall, the podcast is praised for its innovative take on music commentary, with listeners finding joy and upliftment in its content.
Many express gratitude for the thoughtful storytelling and the sense of community this podcast fosters among Willie Nelson fans.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

One by Willie x Nashville Now: Happy Birthday, Willie Nelson!
Q: What is so cool about My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys?
The song captures the melancholy of chasing the cowboy ideal and missed opportunities, blending personal memory with a broader meditation on aging, responsibility, and the tension between dream and real life.
Emmylou Harris on "Till I Gain Control Again" (special Willie's birthday episode)
Q: How did Rodney Crowell influence your relationship with the song?
Crowell first sang the song to Emmylou in person, and his words and melody helped shape her memory of the piece, which she later recorded and performed with Willie in a collaborative context.
Emmylou Harris on "Till I Gain Control Again" (special Willie's birthday episode)
Q: What makes Till I Gain Control Again so cool as a song?
Emmylou describes it as a spiritually resonant piece that creates a quiet, almost prayer-like moment in live shows, reflecting both personal love and the larger connection between artist and audience.
Jamey Johnson on "It Always Will Be"
Q: What do you love so much about It Always Will Be?
The melody is simple and honest, and the song crystallizes a particular moment of life—how love, family, and faith can feel both fragile and immovable. It's not showy; it's the feeling of steady presence that connects with listeners on a universal level, and that resonance grew as I spent more time with Willie and saw how these themes played out in real life.
Kenny Chesney on "That Lucky Old Sun"
Q: How did Willie influence your sense of authenticity as an artist?
Willie showed that real artistry comes from compromising neither your vision nor your voice, which encouraged me to pursue music that felt true to who I am, even if it wasn't the most commercially safe path.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About One by Willie

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

Esteemed figures from various realms of the music industry gather to share in-depth discussions about their personal connections to the revered artist and songwriter Willie Nelson. Each episode features a guest who reflects on a specific Nelson song, delving into not only musical insights but also the profound influence of Nelson's work on their lives and careers. The conversations often explore themes of nostalgia, artistry, and human experience, weaving together anecdotes that paint a rich tapestry of Willie Nelson's expansive legacy within American culture. With a strong focus on storytelling, humor, and personal perspective, the show illuminates the cultural significance and emotional resonance of Nelson's music, creating an engaging ex... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with One by Willie:

1. Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond
2. Sound Opinions
3. The Daily
4. The New Yorker Radio Hour
5. The Interview

How many episodes of One by Willie are there?

One by Willie launched 6 years ago and published 76 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. Margot Price
2. Paul Begaglia
3. Nick Offerman
4. Emmylou Harris
5. Matt Berninger
6. Jamey Johnson
7. Kenny Chesney
8. George Saunders

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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