Dwayne Johnson Says Willie Nelson Gave Him His First Guitar for His Birthday: “I’m Nowhere Near His Level”
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Dwayne Johnson spoke with Rolling Stone about his connection to music after releasing “Your Dad,” a track featured on the new album accompanying the live-action Moana movie.
Dwayne Johnson is exploring a deeper connection with music following the release of his new song, “Your Dad,” featured on Moana: Voices Across the Ocean, an album accompanying Disney’s upcoming live-action Moana film, in which the 54-year-old actor reprises his role as Maui.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Johnson reflected on his musical influences and the role music played in his upbringing. He said he grew up surrounded by singing and ceremonial dancing through his Polynesian family, describing his approach to singing as coming from the heart—even if his choice of musical keys may not always follow conventional rules.
Johnson also recalled the legendary performers who influenced him from an early age. Among those he admired were Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, George Jones, Merle Haggard and Johnny Paycheck, as well as Willie Nelson.
The actor revealed that Nelson once gave him his first guitar as a birthday present. Johnson said the gift was especially meaningful because he was such a longtime fan of the country music icon.
The guitar was modeled after Nelson’s famous “Trigger,” the heavily recognizable instrument Nelson has played for decades. Johnson joked that his own playing ability doesn’t compare with Nelson’s, but said receiving such a memorable instrument was still an incredible gift and an important part of his musical journey.
Following his performance on “Your Dad,” Johnson said he is interested in continuing to explore music. He expressed particular interest in combining classic soul with elements of country, noting his strong appreciation for old-school soul music.
The idea of recording a duets project was also brought up during the interview, and Johnson appeared enthusiastic about the possibility. He said he has enormous respect for musicians, particularly those in Nashville, and would want any future project to reflect that appreciation.
Johnson added that a collection of collaborations with country artists would give him an opportunity to showcase his affection for the genre and his musical roots. He said he would consider it an honor to share the microphone with established country performers.