Willie Nelson is often quoted as saying, “I’ve had four wives, but only one drummer in 40 years,” a quote that says much more about musical loyalty than it does about Willie’s luck with women. That “one” drummer Willie refers to is Paul English, and he has loyally provided the backbeat on the road for the Willie Nelson Family Band since 1966.
An impromptu Texas radio show in 1956 was not only English’s first performance with Willie Nelson; it was also his first time playing a percussion instrument. From that simple, informal first gig, English joined Nelson’s live band 10 years later and has logged millions of miles and thousands of hours touring the world with Nelson, his younger brother Billy, Nelson’s sister Bobby on piano, and the rest of the band.
Willie’s “one-drummer” quote is accurate for the Family Band’s road shows, but he has employed numerous other drummers—including English—for recording sessions.
With his trademark Western fedora, black leather jacket, and neatly-trimmed salt-and-pepper beard, English’s uncomplicated country rhythm probably won’t be remembered by music historians in the same ranks as the all-time drumming greats like Buddy Rich, Neil Peart, or John Bonham, but he’s certainly earned his place among the classiest, most enduring of percussionists ever to perform in any musical genre.
Paul took time out during the band’s recent Canadian tour to tell us what it’s like being Willie Nelson’s drummer and friend for the last five decades.
The Music & Sound Retailer: What was your first exposure to music as a child, and your first instrument?
Paul English: My older brother, Oliver, was a fantastic musician, and my dad and my mother played music in church. We went to the Assembly of God church, a very conservative and strict kind of upbringing. In church, my dad was on guitar, and my mother played piano and sang. I loved music and started playing trumpet as a kid, taking lessons in school and playing in the church choir. Way back then, they’d take two or three of us from church...me on trumpet and a clarinet player and one on saxophone, and we’d go set up and play on the street corner in between the old-time preaching. I was maybe 13, and it was a lot of fun and was a great way to learn and get better playing music
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