Bobbie Nelson

Bobbie Nelson (1931–2022) was Willie Nelson’s older sister and the pianist in his band for more than fifty years — “Sister Bobbie” on every marquee. She was playing church piano in Abbott, Texas before Willie could hold a guitar, and after a first career in Fort Worth she joined him on record with Shotgun Willie in 1973 and stayed in the Family band until her death at ninety-one. Her playing is the gospel-parlour piano under a great deal of his best work.