Willie Nelson returns to his alma mater — Baylor University

On March 9, 1954, Baylor University admitted a student from a small town near Waco — just in time to start the spring term. His name was Willie Nelson.

Now, some 72 years later, the University is welcoming Willie back to campus to celebrate his Baylor ties and his legendary career in music and public service. Highlighting the reunion will be an outdoor concert by Willie Nelson & Family on Thursday, May 14, at Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark, just a few weeks after his 93rd birthday.

A rumor has long existed about Willie being “banned” from Baylor’s campus. Although this has never been the case, occasional stories in the media, such as one from Texas Monthly last year, have stirred up confusion on the topic. The legend of the “Baylor ban” is rooted in the cancellation of a scheduled concert by Willie in 1988 (in Baylor’s newly constructed Ferrell Center) by then-President Herbert H. Reynolds. At the time, Willie’s politics had drawn what was deemed unwanted negative attention by some law enforcement groups. “It was an unfortunate thing,” Willie said of the cancellation at the time.

Now, Baylor is glad to put the rumor to rest and welcome Willie back to his alma mater. “Willie Nelson represents the heart of Texas music and culture, and we are proud to honor him as a former student and embrace him as a member of the Baylor Family,” says Baylor President Linda Livingstone, who personally extended the invitation to Willie. “His accolades as a musician are virtually endless. And his selfless work as an advocate for those facing hardship, such as being a founding organizer of Farm Aid, is aligned with Baylor’s Christian mission of serving the surrounding world.”

Arguably the greatest Texas musician ever and a cultural icon in America and around the world, Willie Nelson joined the Baylor student body during a crucial period in his life. In the spring of 1954, he was living with his first wife, Martha, and their 4-month-old daughter in Abbott, his hometown. He was about to turn 21 years old. Having recently served in the Air Force for nine months, he had some funds from the G.I. Bill available to use. He had tried his hand as a musician, playing honky-tonks near home and around the state for a few years, but without finding significant success.

“If I wasn’t going to be in the music business and make it playing the guitar, I wanted to go to Baylor and get a law degree,” he told an interviewer in 2001 for a feature story in the Baylor Line. “I went there long enough to realize that I really wanted to play music more than I wanted to be a lawyer.” The rest, as they say, is history.

Willie Nelson ultimately spent four months at Baylor, from March to July 1954. Although he didn’t stay at Baylor for long, his time on campus played an important role in making him who he is today by giving him clarity about his true calling in life. It’s a story the entire Baylor Family can celebrate today!

Sic ’em, Willie!

[Tickets to see Willie Nelson & Family at Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark go on sale to the public Friday, April 10, at 10 a.m. CT. Seating options will include on the field, in the stands, and in general admission locations, at a variety of price points.]