Texas Monthly.

Hey there, I'm John Spong with Texas Monthly Magazine, and this is One by Willie, a podcast in which I talk each week to one notable Willie Nelson fan about one Willie song

that they really love. This week, we talked to the great Nick Offerman. Yes. He's a highly

regarded actor and humorous, as well as being a best-selling author, noted woodworker, compelling

agrarian thinker, and part-time shepherd. And it'll be a little bit of all those

things when he discusses Willie's 1968 recording of Buddy. Now, even for this podcast, that's a deep

cut. But fans of Nick's beloved sitcom, Parks and Recreation, will know it as one of the favorite

songs of his character, Ron Swanson.

Nick's going to explain how they came to choose, Buddy, for the key moment in what he calls Parks and Rec's most important episode.

Before describing the magic of his first Willie concert, the vital work of Farmaid,

the reasons he considers Willie one of the greatest Americans who ever lived, and why he

hears Willie music when he eats a pie baked by his wife, the equally great Megan Malali.

Let's do it.

Hey, it's art.

Where we start, Nick Offerman.

What's so cool about the song, Buddy?

Gosh, I mean, it's the whole subject of Willie is a big one.

You know, it's like asking me, you know, what's so great about Romeo and Juliet?

It's a whole universe, but I'll try and zero it in because we don't have all day.

Specifically, I mean,

Willie's songs are just a huge part of my household.

My wife is an incredible singer and a great curator of music.

...