Me and Sister Bobbie: True Tales of the Family Band

by Willie Nelson, Bobbie Nelson, David Ritz

The untold story of Willie Nelson and his sister, Bobbie, who, over the course of their lives together, supported each other through personal tragedies and triumphs and forged an unbreakable bond through their shared love of music.

Abandoned by their parents as toddlers, Willie and Bobbie Nelson found their love of music almost immediately through their grandparents, who raised them in a small Texas town. Their close relationship—which persists today—is the longest-lasting bond in both their lives.

In alternating chapters, this heartfelt dual memoir weaves together both their stories as they experienced them side by side and apart. The Nelsons share powerful, emotional moments from growing up, playing music in public for the first time, and facing trials in adulthood, as Willie pursued songwriting and Bobbie faced a series of challenging relationships and a musical career that took off only when attitudes about women began to change in Texas. The memoir is Bobbie’s first book, and in it she candidly shares her life story in full for the first time. Her deeply affecting chapters delve into her personal relationships and life as a mother and as a musician with technical skills that even Willie admits surpass his own. In his poignant stories, Willie shares the depth of his bond with his sister, and how that bond carried him through his most troubled moments. Willie and Bobbie have supported each other through unthinkable personal heartbreak, and they’ve always shared in each other’s victories. Through dizzying highs and traumatic lows, spanning almost nine decades of life, Willie and Bobbie have always had each other’s back.

Their story is an inspiring, lyrical statement of how family always finds the way.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Memoir, Autobiography, Audiobook, Biography, Book Club

Audible Audio

First published September 15, 2020

About the author

Willie Hugh Nelson is an American singer-songwriter and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the most beloved and notorious country music singers. He reached his greatest fame during the so-called "outlaw country" movement of the 1970s, but remains iconic, especially in American popular culture. In recent years he has continued to tour, record, and perform, and this, combined with activities in advocacy of cannabis, as well as a well-publicized 2006 arrest for cannabis possession, have made him the subject of renewed media attention.

Reviews

[Elyse Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this audiobook—
—learned more than I thought I ever needed to know.

I’m not a fan of country music - or alcoholic parents.
Yet....
It’s undeniable how touching a brother and sister‘s love for each other is—
—the air in which the entire book is written from’....

Incredible support and love between brother and sister - through thick-thin-highs-lows.

Music, music career, family, love & loss!!

Thank you Yodamom for sharing your memories.
It was Yoda’s passion for Willie Nelson’s charity work that inspired me to read this.

My one pet peeve....
I didn’t need to HEAR the word:
Brother
then
Sister
then
Brother
then
Sister ....
when beginning each chapter: ALL THROUGH THE ENTIRE BOOK!

I can recognize a woman’s voice from a man’s voice pretty easily.

...Some sad family stories...
...Some successful music stories...( with a little music included on the audiobook)

Overall... Touching

3.5 rating!

[Yodamom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've heard Willies music most of my life. He's always been there, not a favorite at the moment pop star but a favorite to listen to when I needed some comfort and memories. Willies songs tug at the memories. I finally got to see him live In March 2020 right before Covid shut the Houston Rodeo down. He sung from his heart, his sister on keyboard his son on vocals. It was a night I'll always remember. I never really knew much about the man except for his public charity works, and thought it was time to read up on him from his words and his sisters.
Respect to these two for opening up about their life, the best, worst and middle ground times. A brief life story of a sister and a brother from their different views. Both open their hearts and let the pain and joys out, shared with the world. They have had some struggles, some heartbreaking soul crushing events and yet they still go on, still love, create and laugh.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit to not knowing a whole lot about Willie Nelson before reading this autobiography written by Willie and his sister, Bobbie. I was captivated from the start. The format is so easy to get into, with short chapters alternating between siblings telling the story. I grew to profoundly admire and like both of them, while also appreciating the unfailing honesty with which they told their stories. Neither Nelson sugar-coated their failings and mistakes, which made them all the more immensely likeable. I loved some of the stories and felt deeply for them both at the tragedies they've endured, especially Bobbie. I also found myself repeatedly exiting out of my Kindle reader to quickly look up lesser known (at least to me) songs and people on you-tube. I hadn't realized that Willie wrote some of the songs he wrote, like Patsy Cline's wonderful and enduring "Crazy." Black and white photos accompany some of the chapters and you come away with the feeling of really knowing these gifted musicians and deep-down likeable people throughout their nearly 90 years together.

I read a digital ARC of this book for review.

[Deb✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I wasn't expecting to enjoy this audiobook as much as I did! What a great biography about Willie Nelson and his sister Bobbie. It was so interesting and covered them talking about their whole life story from the time they were little.

I wasn't really aware of Willie's sister Bobbie before, but now I am so glad I listened to this. She had quite a life and was such a huge influence on her brother Willie's life. I loved hearing all their different stories... some happy, some sad, some very tragic. What a life both of them had, apart for some of the years and happily together for some of the best years. Willie's down-to-earth personality helped him launch his career with his ability to write songs and sing with many talented stars.

All of Willie and Bobbie's stories are incredible, and it's hard to stop listening (or reading) until the end. I loved it and recommend it to anyone else who likes to read biographies.

[Mark Hartzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1975, on the strength of a 5 star review in Rolling Stone, I bought Willie's 'Red Headed Stranger'. Unlike the corn-pone Hee Haw type stuff my Dad liked, that was compelling music and I was hooked.

The book is divided by alternating narratives from both Willie and his older sister, Bobbie. It's a neat effect and does not harm the narrative at all. Full credit to the ghostwriter, David Ritz. Anyway, this is every bit as much Bobbie's book as Willie's, and to me, I found her story fascinating. Even more so than Willie.

What you come away with, is a family's love for one another despite some terrible personal tragedies. Hardscrabble would be an understatement. I had no idea that their parents gave them both up as they were too immature to raise those kids. While I could have passed on some of the overt religiosity, it was still heartfelt and honest. Nothing seems to be sugar coated. You smile as much as you wince as you go through the book. Nicely done.

[M. Sarki · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://rogueliterarysociety.com/f/tr...

...But I couldn’t feel too good about the future of me and Martha. One night when I was sleeping she tied me up with rope and battered me with a broom. I never laid a hand on her, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t have reason to wallop me. Fidelity was never one of my strong points…

The format with alternating brother/sister entries works in this charming and heartbreaking memoir. As much as Willie probably did deserve a bit of trouble and heartbreak his sister Bobbie sure didn’t. But the Nelsons do prevail. Nearly impossible to put this captivating book down. Very interesting story behind this personal sibling relationship, the entire downhome Nelson family, and behind Willie’s songwriting and performances the family rises to prominence and respect within the music community. Willie has stayed true to his humble character even while amassing millions and losing even more. Long a proponent of cannabis, and now a budding entrepreneur, Willie has done more for educating the masses about this wonder drug than anyone.

Life in the beginning, and later as performing music artists, was very difficult for Bobbie and Willie. They earned their way into prominence both on the stage and airwaves. Their personal romantic lives were also every bit as troublesome, but Willie and Bobbie both contributed to the heartache and pain to come with bad choices and errant ways. Willie especially was quite the promiscuous outlaw which led to many broken marriages. But always the charmer, Willie seems to have remained friends with most of his ex-wives. But there has been tragedy and sadness in both their lives that they had nothing to do with bad choices and errant ways. Losing loved ones to car accidents and disease have left their mark on both of them. The Nelson siblings somehow abide though, and find a way to move on through what has become for them a long and productive life.

[Hannah Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem of an audiobook. Didn’t want it to end.

[Kathy (Bermudaonion) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a big country music fan and don’t particularly enjoy Willie Nelson’s nasal singing style but I do enjoy memoirs so decided to listen to ME AND SISTER BOBBIE. Willie Nelson and his older sister Bobbie take turns telling (and narrating) the story of their lives which, understandably, have intertwined frequently throughout the years, since the two have performed together off and on.

It’s evident the Nelsons have deep love, respect, and admiration for each other. Their story felt honest and true and was, at times, heartbreaking. I felt like they were telling their story to me. Even though it brought me to tears a time or two, I really enjoyed this book and appreciated their loving relationship. The audio version has moments of music which enhanced it for me. If you enjoy memoirs and/or country music you won’t want to miss this book!

[everything is words - Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Autobiographies and non-fiction used to be THE only type of book I would read and I usually find myself once a month diving back into the genre. The story of Willie’s older sister, Bobbie, is the the theme that carried me the most through this book. Both Willie and Bobbie had incredible hardships growing up, but Bobbie’s sense of loss was so overwhelming. It was a time where it was acceptable that Willie would be able to venture out towards his inevitable success; whereas Bobbie just encountered roadblock after roadblock. I close this book with an overwhelming amount of respect for Bobbie Nelson and I don’t think I am giving away any spoilers when I say that I am happy that at 90 years old she is able to rock out on the stage with her brother. If you enjoy a resilient story where people fight for respect, talent, and success - pick this one up. Enjoy!

[Gary Anderson]

Focusing mostly on their early years, Me and Sister Bobbie reveals the story of the lifelong bond between siblings Willie Nelson and Bobbie Nelson. In short alternating "Brother"/"Sister" chapters, Willie and Bobbie take turns telling about the events of their personal and musical lives and how each saw the other during these episodes. I was glad to get to know the late Bobbie Nelson a little better, and I especially enjoyed the details behind the making of Spirit, one of my favorite albums.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a couple of Willie Nelson's books. This one is written with his sister, Bobbie Nelson. They take turns talking about their lives growing up in Texas with their grandparents. Their ups and downs the rest of their lives. Both talented musicians. Both have good and bad things happen in their lives but they remained devoted brother and sister. This is a nice quick read. I enjoyed reading.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like to read books simply for the enjoyment of the story being told, I highly recommend this book. The stories just flow, told alternately by Willie Nelson and his sister, Bobbie. I feel like this book could have easily been 1000 or 2000 pages and just as easily I would have flown through it. It felt like two siblings sitting in the same room swapping turns at telling the family's stories. Some of the stories are inspiring, some funny, some are downright heartbreaking. But they all carry a "I'm not out to impress anyone, so I'll just tell it like it is" feel to them.

Willie Nelson is a national treasure. Honestly, he's a world treasure and America is lucky call him our own. It turns out that Bobbie is a treasure, too. And we're all lucky to have her, but Willie is the luckiest to call her Sister.

[Tara Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply and beautifully written. This book surprised me. It was less about being a superstar or money or fame and more about love, family, poetry, spirituality and of course, music.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Ritz worked with Willie and Bobbie Nelson to write their autobiographies in one volume, and he has seamlessly put the story in two voices with one cohesive story-line. Each of the siblings tells his/her own story with his/her own point of view, alternating chapters as the book goes on.

Willie and Bobbie both saw more than their fair share of tragedy and heartbreak throughout their lives, some of it hitting harder and more devastatingly than others. There is a lot of humor within the tales and there is nothing but honesty in the telling of the tales.

One thing I found exceptionally humorous is when Bobbie is talking about their school days and says, "Willie and study are two words that just don't go together." In spite of his lack of scholarly pursuit, Willie became a poet in his young years and saw that poetry and music have so much in common that the two cannot be separated. From that perspective came many of Willie's best songs.

At publication of this book, Bobbie will be ninety years old and Willie will be eighty-eight, but both are still very active in performing and producing their signature music.

The book is easy to read and will touch every music lover who reads it. Willie and Bobbie are not just country, they are folk, blues, jazz, and everything in between.

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, a piano and a guitar named "Trigger."

Random House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[The Book in my Carryon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me and Sister Bobbie by Willie Nelson, Bobbie Nelson, David Ritz is a sweet little book about sibling love, family hardship, faith, music and life on the road - and who better to tell the story than country music icon WIllie Nelson and his sister Bobbie. Equally talented, the two started making music when they were just little, and it was music that saved them - that and their grandparents.

This book reads like a conversation - in fact, I'd bet dollars to donuts that's exactly how it was written. Although I'm not usually a fan of that format, it works. Willie and Bobbie take turns moving the story along, each sharing their own struggles and triumphs and insights with remarkable candor and honestly. Their has not been a fairytale life, which makes their success all the sweeter.

There's a lot of great fan information in Me and Sister Bobbie - stuff about how songs were written, where Willie's distinctive sounds came from, how the band came together. But, the heart of this book is a love story between a brother and a sister who were abandoned by there parents at a young age, have seen the dark side of life and come out the other side, and continue to find hope and healing in music.

For fans of WIllie Nelson's music, this book will be a keeper. But, even for those of us only vaguely familiar with his music, there's a lot to love about this book.

This review is based on an advance copy read.

[Dawn Lennon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, touching, revealing, and personal characterize this autobiography of Willie Nelson and his sister, Bobbie, whom Willie acknowledges as the real musician in the family. We get to experience a kind of parallel unfolding of the lives and careers of each, learning how they handled their troubles and their successes by always returning to each other, the only ones they really trusted.

Family relationships can be challenging, especially with siblings who grow up together after loss. Willie and Bobbie shared that experience, grew into themselves and with each other, and found themselves searching for love often lost or elusive. Bobbie, in particular, reveals decades of loss and abuse from those she loved and thought loved her. It was always Willie who was the one she could count as he counted on her.

Simply presented and candidly written, this is a book that connects us with the essence, even the soul, of Willie and with the bond that exists to this day--a bond between his 89 year old sister and himself, at 87. Pretty special!

[Alicia Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by Willie and I was completely drawn in in just a few short pages. Alternating chapters from Willie and his sister Bobbie, I was blown away by the unfailing determination of this family and the long, hard path to get to where they are today. I was truly amazed, suffered right along with them and I wanted nothing more than to slowly take in every step of their journey. Hearing Willie talk about his sister and her musical talent made me just want to run out and listen to every song out there as clearly she has something I've been missing. Tragic stories, beautiful moments, and many, many moments of me shaking my head at Willie and all of his "wandering." (lol) Can't help but love the man anyway and thank god he's still sharing his beautiful and charismatic personality and music with us.

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be the best music memoir I've ever read, and it's not because of Willie. Bobbie's story is overwhelming and amazing, and to hear it in their words is a gift. Go read this ASAP.

[Gina Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is very easy to take Willie Nelson for granted...like Bob Dylan, or Kris Kristofferson, Willie is one of the greatest living songwriters in America. His songs alone..."Crazy," "Hello, Walls," "On the Road Again" among hundreds, stand testament to his skills as a writer. His idiosyncratic voice, mixing country, blues, jazz and pop, has put Willie on the Mount Rushmore of country music. He is an American icon, plain and simple. But in his autobiographical book, "Me and Sister Bobbie", Willie shares his spotlight with the one constant in his brilliant, chaotic life and career- his older sister Bobbie. Along with his grandparents who raised him, Willie credits, time and time again, that if it were not for the steady, loving and non-judgmental relationship with his sister, he would not be the musical artist he is today. Bobbie Nelson, a great musician in her own right, has led a full life of music herself. In "Me and Sister Bobbie," she also shares her story with her famous brother- how she and Willie survived the early abandonment of their parents to be raised by their paternal grandparents, Mama and Daddy Nelson. Through the love of gospel music, both Bobbie and Willie were urged by Mama and Daddy to pursue their God-given musical talents. Both the personal lives of Bobbie and Willie through numerous marriages, romances, loss and downright tragedy are bigger than the music made by Willie Nelson and Family. With the guidance and help of celebrity writer David Ritz (Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin), Bobbie tells her story of growing up up in 1930's Texas, surviving abusive marriages and the even more painfully, the loss of her three young sons to her powerful in-laws. Both Bobbie and Willie are honest with their human failings and mistakes along the way (Willie's irreverent romantic life sometimes make me shake my head). But as Willie says early in the book, "Bobbie is the heroine." Her relationship with her sons are at once joyful and heartbreaking. Due to her own stubbornness and faith in God (and Mama Nelson), Bobbie was able to reinvent her own life many times- and like her brother- is a survivor of the first degree.

[Dylan Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in the south, I have always been a fan of Willie. I never knew much about his sister but the first time I’d heard of her was reading Willie’s letter to her after she passed away. It was beautiful, and showed how much he loved his sister. My heart ached listening to the pain that Sister Bobbie went through in her life. I’m glad she was able to find happiness through playing and traveling with Willie but it broke my heart hearing about the pain and suffering what a beautiful soul and musician went through. There is no doubt that Willie and Bobbie loved each other deeply and I’m glad that they allowed the rest of us the opportunity to share in their story.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

We own more CDs by Willie Nelson than almost any other recording artist in the world. We've seen him in concert several times. I wasn't sure if this book would bring anything new to my personal Willie Nelson encyclopedia.
But I was so wrong. Maybe because Bobbie was so present in this book, it felt fresh and new. I loved learning about their relationship, their histories as musicians and their strong bond with family. I liked reading about certain songs and how they came about.
Bobbie has always been an enigma, a role she carefully crafted, for reasons that become apparent in this book. The pain she has suffered over the years, the bonds that never broke, really touched my heart. At the end of this book, I was tearful. It's a real treasure.

[Newt Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel awkward giving this quick read 4 stars, particularly since non of Wiilie’s songs are on my playlist. That said, I really liked the format(a brief chapter by Willie followed by a brief one from Bobbie, and so forth) and their unpretentious style. Their stories forced me to respect Willie for his passion and determination, and realize that he earned every bit of his fame(Bobbie gained my admiration, as well). Still hunting for one of Willie’s tunes to add to my playlist though.

[Barry Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling read about the very close relationship between Willie Nelson and his keyboard playing sister, Bobbie. From their unconventional faith to being ahead of their time in the way they looked at music, to their tumultuous personal lives, both siblings have have gone through a lot of romance and tragedy which has kept them very close together musically and personally. There is a reason his band is called Family. A very revealing read. - BH.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea that Willie wrote so many other songs, like "Crazy", and that his sister is so talented. It's neat to see how music had such a positive influence on their lives and made an unbreakable bond between them.

[Mary Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether or not you like Willie Nelson, this is a great story. Told from the vantage point of ages of ninety and eighty-eight, it looks back at the relationship of a brother and sister to whom music was not only a life style and income but a saving grace. I enjoyed it.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Willie Nelson you will love this book. I now love him and sister Bonnie even more. I’m in tears. Listening was the way to go. Both of their voices are so soothing. I am going to miss listening daily, I didn’t want it to end.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book club choice for this month. I liked learning about Willie and his sister Bobbie who, as Willie says, is the most talented in the family. The story was told back and forth between Willie and Bobbie through the poverty of their childhood to the trials of a long time musical career. I loved learning about Nashville and all the great country music musicians that Willie knew. Through the ups and downs, Willie always put family first and ended up in his beloved Texas.

[Abby Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book- I’m so grateful!

[Becky Roper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of Willie Nelson, so hearing this audiobook, read by Willie and his sister Bobbie was enjoyable. They were abandoned by alcoholic parents, and had many trials and tragedies, but their bond has endured and their music has brought them close even at their advanced ages (88 and 90). Most memoirs are pretty whitewashed, this one was less so than average.

[Khanh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this is told in alternate voices; and if you read via audio, brother and sister take turns narrating their story. A book definitely revisiting one day for me.