This is more than a book for just country music fans - this is a book for music fans. Written in Willie's voice, the book moves through the relationship in an interesting and personal way.

This book was an uneven, slightly chronological memoir about the relationship between Willie Nelson and his longtime drummer and best friend, Paul English. I didn’t care for the narrator, mostly because I think a Texas accent would have fit much better. But I love that reading it sent me back to listen to the earliest Willie recordings I could find.

Pleased to include this memoir in the Oct/Nov print edition, a spread highlighting the season’s most anticipated celebrity memoirs, for the Books section of Zoomer magazine. (see mini-review at link)

Me and Paul by Willie Nelson was an excellent read. I remember listening to him whilst growing up, My parents loved his music I never really took any notice, his music it was just on! Teenagers!!!! But, as I grew older when I hear his songs I always think back of my parents singing along to them.......Then all of a sudden I started to sing along as well and became a fan. I am grateful to have a chance to read his book. I really enjoyed it. I didn't realised he sang with so many famous people.

Recommended To All Longtime Fans Of Willie Nelson!

If you’re a longtime fan of Willie Nelson, Me and Paul is a book you’ll be glad you read. Nelson clearly accomplishes his mission in writing this book, which is to serve as a loving and fitting tribute to Paul English, his closest friend for about 70 years,until his death in 2020.

To paraphrase Nelson, he said his mission was to “bring English back from the infinite abyss.” In my opinion, Nelson unquestionably achieved his mission by chronicling his many adventures - many happy, some sad but all heartfelt - with his longtime dear friend, drummer (since the mid-1950s) and “partner in crime.”

Like all good tales from a life in music, Nelson’s are the kind of stories that seem to shift a bit with each telling. Upon finishing Me and Paul, I didn’t have a strong sense of how much truth “lived” within each detail of Nelson’s stories involving Paul English. But, for me, I didn’t care about that because his stories are so entertaining. I don’t think you’ll care either.

#Me and Paul. #Net Galley

Me and Paul
Untold Stories of a Fabled Friendship
by Willie Nelson
Me and Paul is Willie Nelson's homage to his best friend, drummer, gun-carrying bodyguard, and partner in crime., Paul English passed away on February 11, 2020, at the age of 87. Stories and memories of Willie and Paul.
A texas legend, Willie ...I am a Texas-born lady and love Willie.

Thanks, to NetGalley and Harper Horizon for the arc ebook for an honest review.

Me and Paul is a must read for any Willie Nelson fan. I learned so many interesting tidbits about Willie. I highly recommend reading this book.

EXCERPT: This one guy understood me like no one else. He understood me on the deepest level imaginable. Likewise, I understood him. How is it we could communicate without even talking? One look is all we needed. In my case, my only sibling is my sister, Bobbie. Paul became the brother I never had. In Paul's case, he had siblings - wonderfully talented people - and yet our bond felt deeper than blood. It was unbreakable. It defied understanding. It was like I knew him before we even met. And now that he's gone, he's still here. He still knows me. He still lives in my heart and in the hearts of everyone whose hearts he touched.

ABOUT 'ME AND PAUL': “I’ve got this song that begs to be a book and a book that begs to read like a song--a long, romping ballad of sweetness and scandal bridging seven decades of friendship . . .”

Immortalized in Willie Nelson’s road song "Me and Paul," Paul English was the towering figure who for 70 years acted as Willie’s drummer, bodyguard, accountant, partner in crime, and right-hand man.

Together, the two men roamed the country, putting on shows, getting into a few scrapes, raising money for good causes, and bringing the joy of their music to fans worldwide. Stories of Willie and Paul’s misadventures became legendary, but many have gone untold--until now.

Set against the backdrop of the exploding Americana music scene and told in Willie’s inimitable, colorful style, Me and Paul follows the two performers through their decades-long careers.

MY THOUGHTS: I selected this extract because it demonstrates the closeness between Willie Nelson and his longtime drummer, Paul English. But most of the book is taken up by the antics that these two got up to. Most of the antics are enacted by Willie. Paul is the caped superhero who swoops in to rescue him. I kid you not!

I'm a long time Willie Nelson fan. But I learned an awful lot about Willie that I never previously knew. Did you know that he used to sell vacuum cleaners and encyclopedias? Strange but true. Try as I might, I just couldn't imagine it!

I loved this insight into Willie's life and his relationship with Paul. I laughed and cringed at their antics. I wished that I had a friend in my life who was as important to me as Paul was to Willie. But it wasn't a one-sided relationship, although for many years it looks that way. When Paul needed him, Willie was there.

I finished Me and Paul with eyes overflowing. And a wonderful playlist.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.6

#MeandPaul #NetGalley

I: @willienelsonofficial @harperhorizon

T: @WillieNelson @HarperHorizon

#friendship #memoir #nonfiction

THE AUTHOR: Willie Hugh Nelson is an American singer-songwriter and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the most beloved and notorious country music singers. He reached his greatest fame during the so-called "outlaw country" movement of the 1970s, but remains iconic, especially in American popular culture. In recent years he has continued to tour, record, and perform, and this, combined with activities in advocacy of cannabis, as well as a well-publicized 2006 arrest for cannabis possession, have made him the subject of renewed media attention.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Horizon via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Me and Paul: Untold Stories of a Fabled Friendship by Willie Nelson. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

Willie Nelson has written a delightful tribute to his friend of 50+ years, Paul English. This is more a series of escapades than a comprehensive biography. Willie has a way with words, evident in his songs, that is so descriptive you feel like you are just sitting around and talking. The brotherhood they shared is evident in the stories. If you're a Willie Nelson fan, be sure to read this.

I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. I figured a bunch of anecdotes about Willie Nelson's lifelong friendship with Paul English would be mildly interesting and that's it. It was so much more including stories about Ray Charles, Waylon Jennings, Willie's and Paul's families and the inspiration behind some of his most famous songs. I found it so engaging that I dug out my old Willie Nelson vinyl records and listened along as I read it straight through in one setting. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Horizon for an advanced reader copy.

In my teen years - Willie was the person I wanted to live my life like! Hanging out with Kris and Waylon and the rest - livin the outlaw life!

Thank you to everyone that made this book available. So enjoyed hearing the stories and reliving thel memories.

Keep those stories coming Willie!!

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Harper Horizon for an advanced copy of this story of two men, their friendship, history and misadventures.

Everyone should have a friend. One to help out when needed, turning that frown upside down with a joke, or even a smoke. Someone that makes a good day out of a rough night. A person who will punch a cowboy in the face after throwing a bottle at you, or stop a boyfriend from stabbing you after his girlfriend says you are a handsome fellow. A guy who makes use the band gets the pay they are owed by using a forklift to "borrow" a nightclub owners car. A guy who believes in the gifts that you have been bestowed with to entertain others, and does what they can to make the world realise this. The world would be a better place if we all had a friend like Paul English. Willie Nelson would be the first to attest to that. Nelson's book Me and Paul: Untold Stories of a Fabled Friendship co- written with David Ritz is a history, examination, biography and collection of tall tales about the friendship between Nelson and Paul English who served as Nelson' drummer, manager, bodyguard, muse and buddy, for 70 years.

The book begins with a note from the co- writer discussing how writing about these two larger than life men is a difficult task, so fiction might slink in around the truth. From there we go back to the days when Willie was trying hard to get into the music business, and the music business was trying hard to keep him out. Paul English was brother to a band mate of Nelson's and somehow in talking both knew that they would have to talk more. From there Paul became both drummer and bodyguard, so simpatico was English with the way that Nelson would preform on stage and off, fighting off angry boyfriends, and angrier wives. As band manager he kept the shows coming and made sure they got paid, told the singer to sing what he liked, and picked him up at his lowest moments, even when Willie just wanted to lay in the street and die. Only death could seperate them, which Death did taking Paul English in 2020. In aiding and abetting Willie Nelson, Paul English helped change music, and made millions happy. Not a bad legacy.

The book is funny, sad, uncomfortable, inspiring, full of bull- hookey, and filled with moments that will make a reader cry. Willie was a fortunate man to to have a friend like this, one that he celebrated in both song and book form. Stories are bawdy, full of stupid men doing stupid things, outlaw stories told at closing time, or around a fire somewhere. However the love, the respect and again love shows on every page. The book is pretty chronological so you get a good sense of Willie's career his peaks and valleys, which probably never would have been if Paul hadn't been around.

The book is rare in that it shows men being friends, doing stupid things, and yet at the same time doing great things together. Everyone needs a Paul English, to remind us that life is worth living, to help up get through the day, and tell us when we are being stupid, and fight for the right to be stupid against all takers. A very good musical history, but a better story about two men who became the better for meeting each other.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sony Music Publishing for this Advanced Review Copy

Me and Paul: Untold Tales of a Fabled Friendship by Willie Nelson with David Ritz is a wonderful portrait of a brotherhood spanning many decades. Willie is, of course, a natural storyteller, and I think this was a beautiful way to commemorate his friendship with the late Paul English.

This is not a biography and barely even a memoir, so if that’s what you were expecting this may not be the book for you. Me and Paul is a collection of short stories in a loose, chronological order depicting how Willie & Paul’s bond was so important to Willie Nelson + the Family’s success.

While I am a fan of country music, I am probably a casual-ish fan of Willie and maybe more of a fan of him than I am of his music. However, I would recommend this song to any music fan — whether you like country or not. I think it gives a really fun anecdotal snapshot of outlaw country culture that anyone vaguely familiar with the Willie and the state of Texas will appreciate and enjoy. Plus, who doesn’t love a story of friendship that has you crying at the end?

4 stars for Me and Paul!

This is a funny, poignant, gritty and nonpretensious tribute to Paul English. It is filled with many anecdotes, memories, exaggerations, the good times and the struggles of Willie and his friend and longtime drummer. It encompasses quite a chunk of time, covering highlights from the 1950's to present day. There are many familiar places, cities, small towns and large metroplexes, dive bars to tour buses.
As a born and raised Texan, it brought back long forgotten people and places. I first saw Willie in a small town south of Fort Worth, at an even smaller VFW, in the seventies. There was no cover charge, nobody checking ID's, it was a different era. The stage, if you could call it that, was inches from the postage sized dance floor. Many years later I realized I saw somebody famous. Good memories.
The book isn't too long and was an easy read. The life of Paul English was not familiar to me and I gained a new perspective. We all know the life of a musician isn't just fame and fortune. These stories of their longtime friendship includes many of the band's hard times, marriage, divorce and deaths, too. Having lived through the same time period, it was very accurate and interesting to remember. It would be an enjoyable, history filled read to any music lover.
Now a die-hard heavy metal rocker, this reminded me of my country roots. So after finishing reading all these stories, I catch myself humming those long forgotten melodies.
Thanks to NetGalley for the digital advance copy of "Me and Paul", with David Ritz, to Willie Nelson and to Harper Horizon. These are my honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily.

I truly enjoyed reading this story. It was like revisiting a happier time in my life. My grandma loved Willie Nelson and this made me feel closer to her.

I grew up listening to Willie, Waylon and "the Boys". Both parents listened to country and western music, so as a toddler, a kid, and starting teen years so did I. I will say that I did listen to many other varieties, but it was on the house radio, or album player, it was country.

I remember when the song "Me and Paul" came out in 1985. I never really knew that "Me and Paul" were actual people, let alone Willie and a practically lifetime friend, who became his drummer, Paul English. I mean the song could have been about anybody, or nobody, writers just write sometimes.

Paul, was a very close friend, practically a brother, also his body guard and pretty much a "guardian angel". Paul just knew when and where he needed to be to keep an eye on Willie. He was somebody you just didn't mess with.

This book is kind of a combo of autobiography/biography that mainly following the life and song "Me and Paul". The beginning of the book starts with a little more, but as you're reading you come upon verses of the song "Me and Paul" along with the story behind the meaning of them, and it goes on throughout the book. However, if you don't know the song, I don't know if you'd pick them up. I wish they had put that in italics, hopefully they are in the finally copy.

There is more in there than just Willie and Paul, although they are the main focus. You have wives, children, other known singers of the time in many genres, and may albums they made along the way. I knew many songs mentioned throughout the book, but only recall knowing one album title, "Wanted Outlaws". I remember playing that vinyl on my little record player, and while reading this it made me want to buy the album and play it again, CD though.

The book was great! I loved discovering the reasons for the song "Me and Paul" along with the lives they shared from beginning to end.

I want to thank Netgalley and Harper Horizon for the opportunity to read this awesome book for my honest review!

Anyone who knows me knows how much love I have for Willie Nelson. I've read every book he's written, so when I had a chance to read his latest via NetGalley I jumped at the chance.
Paul English was Willie's long-time friend and drummer. For sixty-five years they shared a friendship that went beyond the bounds of friends and crossed over into brotherhood.
I loved every facet of this story, from their first meeting until Paul drew his last breath.
He was a steady force behind Willie Nelson and a fearless supporter of his talent as a songwriter and performer. He believed in Willie when Willie had lost faith in himself. He understood Willie's off-sync timing and had no trouble following him. That alone was enough to endear Paul to Willie, but as their lives intertwined and the story unfolded, it was only the beginning.
The stories shared between the pages of this book took me on a journey from Fort Worth's rough and rowdy side to New York Times Square and all points in between. Paul had a history of, and habit of, walking just a little outside the law. But despite his shady background, he proved to be a driving force. He loved numbers and was the accountant for the band. He didn't hesitate to take whatever action necessary when a shifty promoter tried to stiff them.
"Paul knew everyone and everyone knew Paul," said Willie.
Paul took on the persona of the devil, dressing in all black wearing a black cape lined with red silk, black Stetson, and red cowboy boots. In Willie's words, "that persona couldn't have been farther from the truth.'
With a heart of gold, Paul never hesitated to step in and intercede for the underdog.
So many stories are told in this book that I'd love to relate to you, but I won't. I will simply tell you that behind every successful man, there is a true supporter. In the case of Willie Nelson, that was Paul English. Willie said they fit perfectly together like a pistol and a holster. Paul was steady while Willie could be unsteady. Paul was a genius with numbers and a sure shot with a .45. Everyone who knew him respected and admired him.
He passed away on February 11, 2020, at the age of 87. He had been Willie's closest confidant for over sixty-five years. This book is a fitting tribute to the man, sharing the highs and lows of his life. If you follow Willie Nelson's music, this book is a must-read for you. I highly recommend it. It is told in Willie's easy style of communicating, simple with no frills, but filled with heart and soul.

Me and Paul is Willie Nelson's homage to his best friend, drummer, gun-carrying bodyguard, and partner in crime. It is a series of stories put together in a sort of chronological order. This is not a biography or a book about Nelson's music so much as it's a series of unconnected tales of life on the road in the rough and tumble music business.