Willie Nelson's Tour Bus: A Rolling Home

what does willie nelsons

Willie Nelson, the undisputed king of country music, has spent a lot of time on the road, travelling from city to city and venue to venue. His tour bus, the Honeysuckle Rose, is where he calls home. Fitted with numerous comforts, the bus has two generators, hand-carved closet doors, a custom-built showcase for his Winchester rifle, and a spot for his trusty guitar, Trigger. The Honeysuckle Rose is not the only bus Willie has travelled in, and fans have been able to purchase some of his old buses.

Characteristics Values
Name of the Bus Honeysuckle Rose
Other Names The Scout, Me & Paul
Year 1983
Model Eagle
Mileage 7 miles per gallon
Air Conditioning Units 4
Interior Design Bald eagle drawing, stained glass windows, red velvet curtains, a framed portrait of Jimmie Rodgers, Native American artwork
Exterior Design A sign that says "We love Willie"
Owner Tom O'Leary

shunauto

Willie Nelson's bus is called 'Honeysuckle Rose'

Willie Nelson, the undisputed king of country music, has called his tour bus home. The bus is called Honeysuckle Rose, and there have been five buses with that name in total. Even when he is at his Texas ranch, Nelson often chooses to sleep on the bus, where he also engages in what he calls "adjusting his personality", or smoking marijuana.

The bus is equipped with two generators in case it breaks down, and, being a Nelson bus, those generators run on biodiesel. The exhaust escapes out of the top, so fans lingering around the bus won't have to inhale it. According to the "Extreme RVs" team, the bus also has hand-carved closet doors, a custom-built, lighted showcase for his Winchester rifle, and a spot built especially for the storage of his guitar, "Trigger", when it's not being used onstage.

Nelson told AARP last year:

> I have everything I need on the [tour] bus. I never have to go into a hotel room anywhere. It’s not that bad. Working is really good for me.

shunauto

It has hand-carved closet doors and a custom-built showcase for his rifle

Willie Nelson's tour bus, the Honeysuckle Rose, is a comfortable and personalised space. In an episode of the Travel Channel show "Extreme RVs", viewers were given a tour of the bus, which has some unique features. Notably, it has hand-carved closet doors—a beautiful and intricate addition to the bus. The hand-carved doors are an example of the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into creating this mobile home.

The country music legend also has a custom-built, lighted showcase for his Winchester rifle. This rifle is likely an important part of Nelson's life and heritage, and the custom-built showcase ensures it is both protected and displayed prominently. The lighting in the showcase adds a dramatic effect, drawing attention to the rifle as a decorative piece.

The bus is also equipped with two generators, an improvement on Nelson's previous vehicle, which ensure reliability and provide an alternative energy source, as they run on biodiesel. This is in keeping with Nelson's green energy interests. The exhaust from the generators escapes out of the top of the bus, so fans waiting outside won't be subjected to fumes.

The Honeysuckle Rose is a fitting name for a bus that has been a home-away-from-home for Nelson and his band. It has been designed with their comfort in mind, and the hand-carved closet doors and custom-built rifle showcase add a touch of luxury and individuality.

shunauto

The bus has two generators and they run on biodiesel

Willie Nelson's tour bus, the Honeysuckle Rose, is a comfortable and well-equipped vehicle. The bus has two generators and they run on biodiesel, which is an improvement on Nelson's previous tour bus. This ensures that the bus has backup power in case of any breakdowns. The exhaust from the generators escapes out of the top of the bus, so fans waiting to catch a glimpse of Nelson won't be bothered by fumes.

The Honeysuckle Rose is a personalised vehicle, catering to Nelson's specific needs. It has hand-carved closet doors and a custom-built, lighted showcase for his Winchester rifle. There is also a special spot for the storage of Nelson's guitar, "Trigger", when it's not being used onstage.

The bus is also named "Me and Paul", in honour of Nelson's drummer Paul English. It has been designed to provide a comfortable and convenient space for Nelson and his family as they travel the country. The bus is equipped with numerous amenities and comforts, allowing Nelson to truly feel at home while on the road.

The Honeysuckle Rose is not just a means of transportation but a reflection of Nelson's personality and style. With its unique features and improvements, it showcases Nelson's commitment to both functionality and sustainability, as evidenced by the use of biodiesel generators. This bus has become an iconic part of Nelson's touring history, providing him with a mobile home and a space to "adjust his personality".

shunauto

It has four air conditioning units and heat

Willie Nelson's tour bus, the Honeysuckle Rose, is a comfortable and well-equipped vehicle. While Nelson has a ranch in Texas and a residence in Hawaii, he considers the Honeysuckle Rose his home. The bus has been designed with various amenities and personal touches to cater to Nelson's needs while on the road.

One notable feature of the Honeysuckle Rose is its focus on climate control. The bus is equipped with four air conditioning units on the roof, ensuring that Nelson and his crew can stay cool even during the hottest days on the road. Additionally, the bus has heating capabilities, providing warmth and comfort during colder months. This combination of air conditioning and heating allows Nelson to maintain a comfortable environment as he travels to different climates.

The air conditioning and heating systems are just part of the Honeysuckle Rose's comprehensive climate control setup. With this system in place, Nelson can rest assured that he will be comfortable regardless of the weather outside. It is a crucial aspect of making the bus feel like home, providing a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere for Nelson to relax and prepare for his performances.

The ability to control the temperature is a significant advantage, especially when travelling across different states and regions with varying climates. Whether performing in the warm southern states or cooler northern regions, Nelson can maintain a comfortable environment on his bus. This consistency in temperature contributes to a sense of familiarity and comfort, making the bus a true home away from home.

Overall, the four air conditioning units and heating capabilities of Willie Nelson's tour bus, the Honeysuckle Rose, showcase the attention to detail and focus on comfort that has been incorporated into its design. By prioritising climate control, the bus provides a functional and welcoming space for Nelson to reside in while on the road.

shunauto

The bus was sold for over $80,000

Willie Nelson's tour bus, also his home, is a bus named Honeysuckle Rose. There have been five buses with this name, according to Florida Coach, where Nelson has gotten his transportation since 1979. At least two are believed to be owned by private collectors.

One of these buses, the 1983 Eagle tour bus, was listed for sale on Craigslist in 2014. The seller, Tom O'Leary, purchased the bus on eBay in 2010 and sold it for over $80,000. O'Leary had initially bought the bus on a whim, as he liked its look, but had no particular affinity for Nelson. He spent a lot of time and effort renovating the bus, which featured a bald eagle drawing, stained glass windows, red velvet curtains, a framed portrait of Jimmie Rodgers, and Native American artwork.

Before O'Leary, the bus had three other owners. It was originally designed for Nelson's drummer, Paul English, and was named "Me & Paul" after a 1984 song. The bus was later renamed "The Scout" and was one of four buses on Nelson's tour, including the Honeysuckle Rose, Warrior, and Red-Headed Stranger.

The "Me and Paul" bus was eventually bought by Austinites Taylor Perkins and Michael Tashnick in 2014 for $100,000. They had intended to rent it out through their business, Vintage Innovations, but ended up reselling it in 2016. At the time, the top bid was $75,500, though it's unclear if the bus sold for this amount or a different figure.

Tour Buses: Operating or Not?

You may want to see also

Frequently asked questions

Willie Nelson's tour bus is called Honeysuckle Rose.

The Honeysuckle Rose is equipped with hand-carved closet doors, a custom-built, lighted showcase for his Winchester rifle, and a spot for his guitar, "Trigger". The bus also has two generators in case it breaks down, and they run on biodiesel.

The drivers of Willie Nelson's tour bus are Gates "Gator" Moore and Tony Sizemore, who have split Nelson's driving duties for nearly 40 years.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment