SHOCKING REVEAL: Willie Nelson Inspired Kacey Musgraves to Try Marijuana — Is This a Moment to Celebrate or a Cautionary Tale?

Kacey Musgraves Recalls Her First Time Smoking Weed with Willie Nelson: ‘Hazy, Sparkly Pipe Dream’

In a heartfelt Instagram post celebrating the nine-year anniversary of her second studio album, Pageant Material, Kacey Musgraves opened up about her special relationship with country music legend Willie Nelson. Musgraves, 35, shared an unforgettable story about her first time smoking weed with the 91-year-old icon and how their collaboration led to a memorable cover of Nelson’s song “Are You Sure” on her album.

A Magical Moment on Tour

The moment Musgraves recalls took place in 2014, when she was on tour as the opening act for Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss. The experience of being on tour with such musical giants was already exciting, but it was the encounter with Nelson himself that Musgraves remembers as particularly surreal.

In her Instagram caption, Kacey reflected on the time she and her band were invited onto Nelson’s famous bus for some coffee and a smoke session before one of his sets. “He had us up on his bus for some coffee and smoke before he started his set,” she wrote. During this time, they had a wide-ranging conversation, touching on topics as diverse as light-up western suits, conspiracy theories, aliens, and the history of hemp growth in the United States. Musgraves was in awe of the wealth of knowledge Nelson shared, which only added to the magic of the moment.

But it wasn’t just the conversation that made the evening memorable—it was also the music. At one point, Musgraves asked Nelson if he ever performed his song “Are You Sure” while on tour. Nelson, who is known for his laid-back demeanor and spontaneous nature, responded with a grin, exhaling a big puff of smoke before replying, “Are you sure this is where you wanna be?” Musgraves had caught him by surprise by knowing the deep cut from his discography.

A Hazy, Sparkly Pipe Dream

In true Willie Nelson fashion, he then pulled his guitar from “magically out of nowhere”, Musgraves continued, and began strumming the tune. At this point, she admits to being in a “hazy, sparkly pipe dream,” where reality seemed to slip away. But in her dazed state, Musgraves was able to join Nelson in singing the song. Their impromptu duet turned into something even more special when Nelson told her he would record the song with her. “Next thing I know, we’re in Austin and filming the video,” Musgraves shared.

The two filmed the music video for the song, which features Nelson in a western suit that Musgraves had picked out for him. The lighthearted nature of their collaboration extended beyond the music, as Musgraves recalls Nelson obliging her with a tequila shot during the shoot.

Musgraves jokingly remarked that she is grateful for the visual record of this magical moment, as it was so surreal that she would never have believed it happened if not for the photos and video. “It’s a good thing there is a visual record of this moment in my life—otherwise, I wouldn’t believe that it wasn’t just some hazy, sparkly, pipe dream that never actually happened,” she quipped.

Reflection on Her Relationship with Weed

In a 2024 interview for her sixth studio album, Deeper Well, Musgraves revealed that she no longer smokes weed, calling it a part of her “early-20s Kacey behavior.” “It’s not for this chapter,” she explained. “Maybe later, when I’m a 60-year-old lady with nothing to do and I’m just doing pottery all day, maybe. We’ll see.”

Despite stepping away from smoking, Musgraves reflected positively on her time with Willie Nelson, an artist whose legacy has influenced countless musicians, including herself. The collaboration between the two felt like a passing of the torch—an unexpected yet perfect union of their artistic spirits.

A Moment That Shaped Her Career

The cover of “Are You Sure” with Willie Nelson became one of the standout moments of Musgraves’ Pageant Material album, which was released in 2015. The song is a beautiful tribute to Nelson’s classic style, with Musgraves’ own distinct voice adding a fresh layer of emotion to the track. This collaboration helped further solidify Musgraves’ position as an artist who respects her musical roots while also bringing something new and contemporary to the country genre.

Willie Nelson has always been a figure of rebellion, wisdom, and artistic freedom, and to have that influence present during one of the most pivotal moments in Musgraves’ career is something she cherishes. For Kacey Musgraves, their collaboration was not just a musical moment, but a reflection of how she values the past while also shaping her own future in music.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

The anniversary post about Pageant Material also served as an opportunity for Kacey Musgraves to reflect on how far she has come in her music career. From her early years as an artist to her groundbreaking work on albums like Golden Hour, Musgraves’ journey has been full of evolution and self-discovery, much like her time with Willie Nelson—a mentor and friend who continues to inspire her.

As Kacey Musgraves looks ahead to the future of her career and personal growth, the memories of her time spent with Willie Nelson are a reminder of the magic that can happen when you least expect it—especially when you’re in good company and living the moment.

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