The Willie Nelson album ‘destined to become a collectors item’ released to pay off his IRS debts

An album from country legend Willie Nelson was advertised as a record “destined to become a collector’s item”.

The double album was released as part of Nelson’s attempt to pay off debts owed to the IRS. Though The IRS Tapes: Who’ll Buy My Memories? was made as a way to pay Nelson’s tax debt, the album was well-received by critics. Adverts at the time suggested it could be a future collector’s item, as it was initially released as a mail-order exclusive. A wider release came over a year on from the June 1991 release date, cementing the album as one of Nelson’s strangest, but strongest recording collections. The album itself is a collection of greatest hits, hidden gems, and covers from Nelson. He and an acoustic guitar are all that feature on the album, which successfully generated $3.6million for the IRS at the time.

Adverts for The IRS Tapes: Who’ll Buy My Memories? tipped the album as a future cult classic. In a made for TV commercial which dubbed Nelson “America’s Country Music Superstar,” an appeal was made for members of the public to help the Always On My Mind singer out of his tax debt.

A voiceover is heard saying: “Willie Nelson. He’s been there for those who’ve needed him and he’s helped thousands of people across this land. Now, Willie needs your help, and is reaching out the best way he can, through his music.” The advert would go on to suggest the album is a future “collectors’ item” given the scarcity of the release.

While not originally available in stores, The IRS Tapes: Who’ll Buy My Memories would go on to receive a wider release. The narration adds: “With your purchase, you not only get the satisfaction of knowing you helped one of America’s greatest treasures, you also receive twenty-five unique songs recorded by Willie through the years.

“The IRS Tapes reflect Willie Nelson’s growth as a country music superstar, and are destined to become a collector’s item.” Nelson said at the time of the album’s release he was hoping for a hit, and that selling millions to generate funds for the IRS was not impossible.

He told The New York Times in 1991: “You got to be positive. It’s not unheard of. I could sell three million albums. I’ve done it before.” It was reported at the time that at least four million copies would wipe the debt Nelson owed to the IRS. While it did not sell that many copies, it would not take long for the songwriting sensation to get back on his feet.

The IRS had seized most of Nelson’s assets in 1990 and claimed the songwriter owed $32million. Lawyer Jay Goldberg managed to negotiate the sum owed to the IRS down to $16million, and by 1993, Nelson had cleared his debts with the IRS.