Willie Nelson wrote the song Family Bible in 1957.
Posted by The Michael Berry Show, Checked
- Sources
- 4 support3 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 90%
The Michael Berry ShowSep 23, 2026
Multiple independent sources (Stereogum/Legacy Recordings press material, Genius, American Songwriter, Wide Open Country citing KXRB) state Willie Nelson wrote 'Family Bible' in 1957, matching the claim; the claim's wording matches the passage's 'He wrote that song in 1957' with the referent resolved to Willie Nelson from the post itself.
What was said
… It's a really interesting story, that song, and if you give me a moment, I'll tell it before we get to the topic of the day. Willie Nelson, of course, wrote that. He was born in in Abbott, Texas, I believe. He wrote that song in 1957, and he had moved from Fort Worth to Portland, Oregon, which was the site of our second affiliate, KEX 1190, one of my favorite towns in this country. And people are surprised when I say that, but it's the most wonderful people. …
The Michael Berry Show · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. Stereogum reports that Nelson wrote the song in 1957 and sold it to Paul Buskirk, who enlisted Claude Gray to record it in 1960.[1]
Supports. Genius states 'Family Bible' was written by Willie Nelson in 1957 and recorded by Claude Gray in 1960.[2]
Supports. American Songwriter says Nelson initially started writing 'Family Bible' in 1957 while working as a DJ in Vancouver, Washington.[3]
Supports. Wide Open Country, citing KXRB, reports Nelson wrote 'Family Bible' in 1957 while working as a DJ in Vancouver, Washington, before selling it for $50.[4]
Context. The Wikipedia entry and Rolling Stone Australia describe Nelson as the songwriter without giving a specific year, and Legacy Recordings confirms the Claude Gray single release of February 1960.[5][6][7]
Sources
7 sources: 7 not rated
- 1Willie Nelson - "Family Bible"stereogum.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 2Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson – Family Biblegenius.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 36 Songs You Didn’t Know Willie Nelson Wrote That Were Made Famous by Other Artistsamericansongwriter.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 4The Country Classic That Willie Nelson Sold For Just $50wideopencountry.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 5Family Bible (song) - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org · not rated · cited for: context
- 6“Family Bible” (1971) - Rolling Stone Australiaau.rollingstone.com · not rated · cited for: context
- 7Legacy Recordings Set to Release 'The Willie Nelson ...legacyrecordings.com · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post