Bobbie Nelson 1931 – 2022: Performing With Willie Nelson & Family Band

Pianist Bobbie Nelson, a longtime member of her brother Willie Nelson’s Family Band, died this week at age 91. At note confirming her death on Thursday, March 10, was shared by the Nelson family:

[A different Women’s History Month playlist was planned for this edition of Saturday Stream, which will now be published next week as Bobbie Nelson is honored with this week’s installment.]

Born Bobbie Lee Nelson on January 1, 1931, in Abbott, Texas, she and her brother Willie (who was born two years later) were raised by their grandparents. Bobbie learned to play piano and was introduced to gospel music at a young age. She married fellow musician Bud Fletcher at age 16 and soon formed a band with her husband and Willie Nelson. Fletcher was killed in a car accident and following his death, Bobbie left the music business, later working at the Hammond Organ Company.

In 1973, she was recruited by her brother and appeared on Willie Nelson’s 1973 Atlantic Records LP, Shotgun Willie and. Her role as piano player for Willie Nelson and his The Family Band would continue for the rest of her career, appearing on many additional studio albums, live releases, and in concert around the world. Despite being older by two years, onstage Willie would often introduce his elder sibling as “Little Sister Bobbie.”

Bobbie and Willie teamed up for several gospel albums, beginning with 1983’s I’d Rather Have Jesus, and followed by 1992’s Gospel: Old Time Religion, 1996’s How Great Thou Art and 2013’s Farther Along: The Gospel Collection. The pair also released 1997’s Hill Country Christmas and 2014’s December Days: Willie’s Stash Vol. 1.

Bobbie Nelson published an autobiography, Audiobiography in 2008. Bobbie appeared alongside her brother, nieces and nephews on the 2021 album, The Willie Nelson Family.

The playlist below presents 10 songs featuring Bobbie Nelson’s piano playing with Wilie Nelson & The Family Band. The 10 tracks were culled from four live albums, 1978’s Willie and Family Live, 1983’s Live at the US Festival 1983 (released in 2011), 2004’s Live at Billy Bob’s Texas and 2006’s Live from Austin, TX.

The playlist begins with “Night Life,” followed by Bobbie’s signature showcase, “Down Yonder.” The pianist is further highlighted on the playlist on such classic songs as “If You’ve Got The Money, I’ve Got The Time,” “Stay All Night (Stay A Little Longer),” “Always On My Mind,” “Blue Eyes Cryin’ In The Rain” and “Uncloudy Day.” Rounding out the set, Bobbie can be prominently heard on “Under The Double Eagle,” “Nothing I Can Do About It Now” and “Help Me Make It Through The Night.”

With condolences to the entire Nelson family, and in remembrance of Bobbie Nelson, stream the playlist below: