"Whiskey River" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Johnny Bush. It was a hit for both Bush and his friend Willie Nelson.
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 LimitsâÂÂmarking the first song to be performed on the program.
Willie Nelson's version of the song is featured in Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V game soundtrack.