Willie Nelson recalls Ray Price’s helping hand in new book arriving Nov. 10

Willie Nelson recalls Ray Price’s help during his early career in a Guardian extract from his forthcoming book, The Last Leaf: Reflections on Late-Life Creativity–and My Longest Love Affair. Nelson writes that when his first significant music money arrived in the 1960s, he blew through it on partying until older country star Price stepped in to help without judgment.

“I was going wild,” Nelson recalls of those days, noting he covered hotel suites, band drinks, and “drank like a fish.” Within three weeks, he says, the money was gone. “Like a patient father, Ray watched me play the fool and didn’t say a word until I was dead broke.” Rather than lecture him, Price offered a lifeline: he invited Nelson to studio sessions for his next album, ensuring Nelson earned union pay even though, by Nelson’s account, none of his parts were used. “That’s why he handed me a guitar without an amp: so I wouldn’t be heard,” Nelson writes. Afterward, Price told him, “Take this money, Willie. Write me some songs, and leave the bottle alone.”

Rather than lecture him, Price offered a lifeline. Price invited Nelson to a Nashville recording session that offered union pay; Nelson says Price gave him a guitar without an amp because he did not know the new music and had no time to learn it. “That’s why he handed me a guitar without an amp so I wouldn’t be heard,” Nelson writes. Afterward, Price told him, “Take this money, Willie. Write me some songs, and leave the bottle alone.” Nelson writes that it took him a long time to give up whiskey in favor of marijuana, but he never forgot how Price looked after him. Price helped reshape country music through his signature shuffle rhythm and later orchestral arrangements.

The Last Leaf arrives in the U.S. on Nov. 10, 2026, through Penguin Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House. The publisher lists hardcover, ebook and audiobook editions for that date. The book combines Nelson’s memories of his musical career with reflections on creativity, ageing and his marriage to Annie. The Guardian’s extract appears ahead of a separate British edition from Canongate, due Nov. 19; that date does not change the U.S. release.

Sources: The Guardian: original Nelson book extract | Penguin Random House: U.S. book listing | Legacy Recordings: Ray Price’s musical innovations | The Boot: Nelson recalls Price