Did This Texas University Really Ban Willie Nelson From Campus? “He Has Not Availed Himself of This Particular Opportunity”

You don’t become the face of outlaw country without breaking a few rules. In 1967, Willie Nelson released “Blackjack County Chain” after Charley Pride passed on it for being too controversial. Despite nearly cracking the Top 20 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles Chart, many radio stations did indeed ban the song. By that time, Nelson was already no stranger to controversy, with his fondness for smoking cannabis and tendency to buck Nashville norms. As the story goes, even the Red-Headed Stranger’s alma mater banned him from its hallways. But how much truth is in that?

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Baylor University Canceled a Willie Nelson Concert in the ‘80s

Upon returning home after serving in the U.S. Air Force, Willie Nelson began studying agriculture at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. His music career taking off, he would eventually drop out after two years. Now, according to multiple reports, he can never return.

In 1988, the “On the Road Again” crooner was scheduled to perform during a fundraiser at Baylor University for the residents of nearby Leroy, Texas, who lost their savings after the town’s uninsured bank collapsed.

However, that performance never happened. During an interview with Dallas reporter Jim Ruddy, Baylor spokesman Eugene Baker said that university officials scrapped the event due to concerns regarding “some of the activities that related to Mr. Nelson and his concerts.” (This probably means cannabis.)

“[We] felt that having that type of concert on our campus did not fit into the purposes and goals of this university,” Baker said. (For context, Baylor is a private Christian college.)

Added Baker, “Our president, in looking over the entire situation, felt that Mr. Nelson has had great opportunity to be a positive influence to many young people, as well as older people throughout America in a positive way, but he has not availed himself of this particular opportunity.”

[RELATED: Willie Nelson Reveals His Picks for the Greatest Country Songs Ever Written and Why He Stopped Smoking Pot]

So, Is He Banned or Not?

In November 2024, Baylor Lariat reporter Cameron McCollum penned an opinion piece titled, “Baylor, it’s time to free Willie.” In the piece, McCollum claimed that Baylor banned Willie Nelson from its campus in 1988. Additionally, Change.org petitions called for the university to lift that ban.

However, the publication Lone Star Live reported that the current Baylor University administration is “not aware of any such decision” to ban the “Always On My Mind” singer.

In any case, now that he has officially quit smoking pot, maybe we can have a redo of the 1988 concert that never was.

Featured image by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images