Willie Nelson has always looked up to his sister, Bobbie Nelson, as the musical genius in the family. “Sister Bobbie is 10 times the musician that I am. I remember sitting on the piano stool next to her, trying to figure out what she was doing,” Willie, now 87, reminisced during an appearance on Today. It’s clear that Bobbie has been an inspiration for Willie since their childhood days in Abbott, Texas.
Growing Up Together: The Roots of Their Unbreakable Connection
From their earliest memories, Willie and Bobbie were inseparable. Their shared love for music was nurtured in the small town of Abbott, Texas, where they spent countless hours playing the family piano. This bond only grew stronger as they navigated life’s ups and downs together. Now, in their new book, Me and Sister Bobbie: True Tales From the Family Band, the siblings reveal the depth of their connection. “There’s a lot of things that happened during our lives,” says Bobbie, now 89. “The only thing I can say is that you can survive anything if you have someone by your side.”
Through Thick and Thin: Supporting Each Other in Tough Times
Bobbie joined Willie’s band in 1973 as a keyboardist and backing vocalist, and her role has extended far beyond the stage. She’s been by his side through some of the toughest moments in his life. In 1981, Willie suffered a collapsed lung while swimming in Hawaii, and more recently, he underwent stem cell therapy to combat recurrent bouts of emphysema and pneumonia. “I’ve definitely put my lungs through a lot in the past, so I have to be extra careful now,” Willie admits.
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One of the most heart-wrenching moments for Willie came in 1991 when his son Billy Nelson passed away. “I’ve never experienced anything so devastating in my entire life,” Willie confided in a friend. Bobbie, who had also lost two sons just months before, understood the pain all too well. “We didn’t need words to communicate. I knew exactly what Willie was going through, and he knew how I was feeling. Just being there for each other made the burden a little lighter,” Bobbie reflects.
A Brighter Future: Celebrating Bobbie’s 90th Birthday
Today, the siblings are looking forward to brighter days. They’re eagerly anticipating Bobbie’s 90th birthday on January 1. “She’s been my closest friend my entire life, and I’m so glad she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves for all she’s accomplished,” Willie says with pride. Their story is a testament to the power of family, music, and enduring love.
