“Night Life“ is a song written by country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson….after being inspired to write the song during one of his trips from his home in Pasadena, Texas, to his work while singing at the Esquire Ballroom in Houston, Texas. Due to financial issues, Nelson sold the song to guitar instructor Paul Buskirk for $150. The recording of the song was rejected by Pappy Daily, owner of Nelson’s label, D Records. Daily believed that the song was not country. Encouraged by the amount of money he received for the song, Nelson decided to master it at another studio. To avoid legal actions, it was recorded as “Nite Life” under the artist name of “Paul Buskirk and the Little Men featuring Hugh Nelson”. In 1963 Bellaire Records reissued the single under the original title of “Night Life” and re-crediting it to “Willie Nelson.”
Regardless of what went on then….we here at ImaSportsphile are “tickled pink” to have this recording of Willie Nelson & The Family Band singing a Willie Nelson original….“Night Life”….while being live on stage at Austin City Limits in 1981….as this video is another “nugget of gold” in our treasure chest of vintage memories.
