In his earlier days, before the really primo weed became readily available, Willie was known as one of the state's top drunks. At Gilley's in Pasadena in the early 70s, bartenders were told to limit Nelson's intake prior to his shows. "He was really a very sweet man" one of them said, "but there was just no way to keep him from getting his drinks. If you didn't serve him, he would bring his own".
Willie admits he was somewhat of a drinker back in 'Nam.
When his career failed to take off, young Willie often drowned his sorrows in alcohol. "Once, in Nashville," he recalled, "I got so drunk and discouraged that I laid down in the street in the snow and waited for a car to come along." After waiting for some time, he finally got discouraged again. "Eventually," he explained, "I got up, went back in the bar, and bought another round of drinks!"