Musician and Willie Nelson’s sister Bobbie Nelson passed away yesterday morning (3/10) at the age of 91.
Bobbie was a pianist, singer and original member of the Willie Nelson and Family band, and recorded and toured with her brother for more than 50 years.
“Her elegance, grace, beauty and talent made this world a better place,” shared Willie. “Our hearts are broken and she will be deeply missed. But we are so lucky to have had her in our lives.”
Music helped her land her first job out of school when the Hammond Organ Company hired Bobbie for to work in the company’s music library and to demonstrate its organs. As her three children grew, she also began working as a piano entertainer in restaurants, lounges and supper clubs, eventually earning her living as a pianist in Austin and Nashville.
Willie invited Bobbie to join him in New York City for a recording session after landing a recording deal with Atlantic Records in 1972, and asked her to join his band.
She released her debut album, Audiobiography, in 2007 and was featured on the 2021 album The Willie Nelson Family. The siblings also collaborated on books Me and Sister Bobbie: True Tales of The Family Band and Sister, Brother, Family: An American Childhood in Music.
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