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In 1960, Willie Nelson moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and worked as a songwriter for Pamper Music. The publishing company was owned by Ray Price. While his songs became hits for other artists, Nelson toured as a band member in Price's Cherokee Cowboys. Nelson signed his first recording contract in 1961 with Liberty Records, and by 1964 he had moved to RCA Records. By 1970, Nelson had invested his earnings in tours that did not produce profit. The same year, he divorced his then wife, and his ranch in Ridgetop, Tennessee burned down. Nelson saw the events as a need for a change. He moved to Bandera, Texas, and re-married. In 1972, unhappy with his career, he decided to retire from music.Nelson moved to Austin, Texas in 1972. The Austin musical scene, and his performances at the Armadillo World Headquarters rejuvenated his career. Local audiences welcomed his style of country music marked by traditional  country, folk and jazz influences. In 1974, Nelson produced and performed on the pilot of PBS' Austin City Limits. The following year, he raised funds for PBS-affiliated stations across the south promoting the show. The pilot was aired first on those stations, later being released nationwide. The positive reception of the show prompted PBS to order ten episodes for 1976, formally launching the show. In 1979, he purchased the Pedernales Country Club near Lake Travis. Nelson kept the golf course, and he build a studio designed by Chips Moman.
PBS Texas Liberty Records Austin City Limits Ray Price country music Chips Moman Pedernales Country Club Lake Travis Austin, Texas Austin Ridgetop, Tennessee RCA Records Nashville, Tennessee Bandera, Texas Armadillo World Headquarters Willie Nelson