 The album was recorded in the Atlantic Records studio in New York City in February 1973 . Nelson and his backup musicians were joined by Doug Sahm and his band . After recording several tracks , Nelson was still not inspired . Following a recording session , he wrote " Shotgun Willie " — the song that would become the title track of the album — on the empty packaging of a sanitary napkin while in the bathroom of his hotel room . The album , produced mostly by Arif Mardin , included covers of two Bob Wills songs — " Stay All Night ( Stay a Little Longer ) " and " Bubbles in My Beer " — that were co @-@ produced by Wexler . Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter collaborated on the album , providing vocals and guitar . 
