In this warm and wide-ranging conversation, Gregory T. Arabatzis interviews author and filmmaker Turk Pipkin about his decades-long friendship with music legend Willie Nelson, and their latest collaboration, Willie Nelson’s Letters to America.

Turk shares behind-the-scenes stories from their 40-year relationship, the creative process of co-writing the book during the pandemic, and the heart behind Willie’s personal letters — many addressed to icons like Will Rogers, Gene Autry, and President Jimmy Carter. They also reflect on Turk’s acting career (The Sopranos, Waiting for Guffman), his nonprofit The Nobelity Project, and the lessons learned through storytelling, philanthropy, and a lifetime of creative work.

With humor, humility, and heart, this interview explores legacy, gratitude, and the power of using your voice for good.

📘 Willie Nelson’s Letters to America is available via Bookends.com