The original version of Whiskey River was co-written by Johnny Bush and his friend Paul Stroud.

Most eople think it is a Willie Nelson original but it isn't. Willie recorded his cover of the song in 1974, 2 years after the original version came out.

Bush released the song in 1972 through RCA Victor and included it on his album Whiskey River.

Bush later re-recorded the song in 1981 and released it through the Delta label, with "When My Conscience Hurts the Most" on the b-side.

Willie Nelson first recorded "Whiskey River" for the album Shotgun Willie in 1974 .

In 1978, a recording from Nelson's live album Willie and Family Live was released as a single through Columbia Records.

"Whiskey River", despite not being a Nelson original, has come to be regarded as one of his signature songs and a concert staple.

"Whiskey River" has been the standard opening song during Nelson's concerts since "around 1974."

Nelson performed the song during the pilot episode of the long-running music television series Austin City Limits—marking the first song to be performed on the program.

My Mom and Dad always wanted to hear me sing this version.

It is also the way I sang it with several cover bands in the 70s and 80s.