WASHINGTON, DC—The first in a series of “American Icon” exclusive interviews, Willie Nelson reflects on his life’s trajectory from small-town Texas to the country music mecca of Nashville, the friends he made along the way and his focus on only the essential things in life. With a rich, varied, textured life well-lived and career spanning over 50 years, he is one of the biggest stars in country music. Bob Dylan tells ATM, “I thought he was a genius then, and I think the same thing now.”

LOS ANGELES, CA—The first in a series of “American Icon” exclusive interviews, Willie Nelson reflects on his life’s trajectory from small-town Texas to the country music mecca of Nashville, the friends he made along the way and his focus on only the essential things in life. With a rich, varied, textured life well-lived and career spanning over 50 years, he is one of the biggest stars in country music. The outspoken musical legend has also endured his share of heartache, from the tragic death of a son to three failed marriages. Even with a 32 million dollar IRS tax bill and drug busts weighing him down, he pulled himself up by the bootstraps and carried on.

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WASHINGTON, DC—From her hilarious satire as the gum-chewing, podium-pushing White House press secretary Sean Spicer on Saturday Night Live, to an Emmy-winning role in the hit series, Mike & Molly, and an Oscar-nominated turn in the uproariously joyous and funny film sensation, Bridesmaids, one thing is for certain, audiences adore Melissa McCarthy. In the April/May issue of AARP The Magazine (ATM), the actress and comedian, revered for her sidesplitting humor, is joined in a rare interview by her mother, Sandy. Just what molded this lovably kind ‘farm girl’ from rural Illinois who spent teenage years working and spending time with the elderly at a nursing home and had the boldness and gumption to book a one-way ticket to New York City in pursuit of her dreams? “I’ve learned so much from my mother,” says McCarthy, “starting with the fact that the world’s a nicer, happier place if everyone has a sandwich.”

WASHINGTON, DC—Melissa McCarthy’s mom, Sandy, has a legitimate claim to the title of “World’s Most Loving Parent.” In an exclusive and emotional mother-daughter interview with AARP The Magazine, Melissa reveals details of her wild years as teenager and as a upstart on the New York City comedy scene, and the role her mom played in keeping her grounded and true to her passion during her years of near poverty. The actress also shares details of her marriage and family, her controversial appearances on Saturday Night Live, why getting older is a good thing, and her upcoming projects.