SIster Bobbie, play Down Yonder

March 11, 2022 7:37 AM

Bobbie Nelson, pianist and older sister to Texas music icon Willie Nelson, died Thursday morning at 91. "Each night Willie would draw attention her way, moving to the piano and watching intently while she played her showpiece, the instrumental “Down Yonder.” Casual fans likely thought he was being polite; Bobbie never made a big show out of what she was doing. But Willie would tell you she was the most important person onstage."
posted by mcdoublewide (18 comments total)

At first blush, I was both sad at the loss of Bobbie and saddened to end up thinking about the mortality of Willie. Then I decided Death simply cannot have both Nelsons. There will be no negotiation on this point.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:22 AM on March 11, 2022 [6 favorites]

.
posted by JoeXIII007 at 9:22 AM on March 11, 2022

Bless Bobbie Nelson.

Bless the entire Nelson family. That was a great article.

.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:36 AM on March 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

.
posted by tommasz at 10:28 AM on March 11, 2022

Aw man.

.

Here's a song I heard recently that calls out Bobbie by name - "Willie Got There First" by Asleep At The Wheel featuring the Avett Bros. An ode to Willie Nelson (and band!) and their songs.
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 10:43 AM on March 11, 2022 [4 favorites]

.
posted by djseafood at 11:44 AM on March 11, 2022

.
posted by From Bklyn at 11:56 AM on March 11, 2022

.
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 1:29 PM on March 11, 2022

.
posted by Lyme Drop at 1:42 PM on March 11, 2022

At first blush, I was both sad at the loss of Bobbie and saddened to end up thinking about the mortality of Willie.

I had tickets for Willie’s 4/20 show in Peoria before he canceled (rightfully so) indoor shows for 2022. I really hope he gets back here before the calendar runs out.
posted by hwyengr at 2:03 PM on March 11, 2022 [1 favorite]

.
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 2:12 PM on March 11, 2022

I had tickets for Willie’s 4/20 show...

This properly is a sad and somber occasion but all the same, reading that line made me smile for some reason.
posted by y2karl at 3:47 PM on March 11, 2022 [2 favorites]

91 is nothing to complain about, and Lord knows the back half of her life was better than the first, but her passing is still such a sad thing. For her and for Willie, each of them the other’s half of their hearts.
posted by Capt. Renault at 7:37 PM on March 11, 2022 [4 favorites]

.

One of the greats.
posted by Dokterrock at 11:39 PM on March 11, 2022

Sad loss. She was feisty and awesome. I actually played with her a couple of times in Texas in the early 90s too.

.
posted by spitbull at 1:57 PM on March 12, 2022 [4 favorites]

.
posted by filtergik at 7:14 AM on March 13, 2022

.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 4:17 AM on March 14, 2022

I've not been on the site recently, logged in earlier today, then in talking to a friend who is In Deep Shit behind health problems I asked him if he knew that Sister passed from the scene, turns out that he hadn't heard the news.

We got to talking about Willie and Sister and how great they are, due to his health we got to talking about "Too Sick To Pray" off the Spirit CD, and I got to talking about what is probably my favorite cut on that CD, Spirit of E9. Piano, guitar, fiddle, it's deceptively simple, what it is in fact is elegant, and beautiful.

If you're lucky, you'll have four minutes to give yourself the gift they gave us.

I didn't want to let her death pass without acknowledgement. She was great; due to our living in a time of magic, we'll be able to hear her on recorded music.

.
posted by dancestoblue at 7:47 PM on March 30, 2022