Me and Sister Bobbie

True Tales of the Family Band

By: Willie Nelson, Bobbie Nelson, David Ritz

Narrated by: Willie Nelson, Bobbie Nelson

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

“Tender and intimate.”—The New Yorker
“Poignant, beautiful, heartfelt.”—New York Journal of Books

ONE OF THE BEST MUSIC BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Rolling Stone, Kirkus Reviews

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 was 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. This is Bobbie’s only memoir, and in it she candidly shares her life story in full. 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 supported each other through unthinkable personal heartbreak, and they always shared in each other’s victories. Through dizzying highs and traumatic lows, spanning almost nine decades of life, Willie and Bobbie always had each other’s back.

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

©2020 Willie Nelson, Bobbie Nelson, David Ritz (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Written in gritty, unapologetic Texas jargon, in short chapters alternating between Willie and Bobbie, Me and Sister Bobbie, a poignant, beautiful, heartfelt co-memoir, delights and astounds.”—New York Journal of Books

“Tender and intimate.”—The New Yorker

“Nelson and Family Band fans will relish even the details they already knew, and readers just seeking a mostly uplifting family story will be pleased as well.”—Rolling Stone

Willie and Bobbie Nelson Are The Best of Friends

I have loved Willie Nelson since my mother discovered his album, Red Headed Stranger. My dad had red hair and my mother loved Willie maybe for his red hair. I grew up in Tulsa so had the country vibe from birth. Fortunately, my husband is also a fan. I loved this book. The narration started off a bit slow but after I got into the personality of Bobbie I could see how she grew up in a time when women turned to men for everything. She was a very talented musician in her own right but most of her fame came from playing with Willie. Glad she finally was able to join the band is share in the fame. Country music is not all fun and easy even when talented as Willie and Waylon demonstrated. I was pleased to finally find out who Paul is in the song 'Me and Paul' and to know they have been friends forever. This book is only 7 hours long and I wanted to have more about the later years but maybe there will be a sequel. They have a few more years left to travel and perform. Good genes. Thank you Willie and Bobbie for sharing your personal happenings. Glad you both are survivors.

All the emotions

This book was a warm and tender tale of Willie and Bobbie. I’m left feeling like I know them and wishing I had been listening to them all along. I enjoyed this book with all the twists and turns and the candor with which the shared their lives.

Inspiring story of Love and Family

What a complete joy in having this book narrated by the authors. Willie Nelson and his sister, Bobbie, were a delight to listen to. Willie, being Willie and his sister with her soft, genteel southern drawl unfold their life's torments and triumphs with the main recurring themes of Jesus their Savior and the love of family.
This fan was looking forward to seeing Willie Nelson and Family play the Hollywood Bowl Fall 2020 and Covid shut our country down. THIS book, however, was a true gift! Thank you, sister Bobbie and Willie for inviting us into your world. This is a treasure.

I loved the whole story.

I'm so glad to have heard this story told by Willie and Bobby. I really considered this a treat.

A wonderful sibling story

As a life long Willie fan, it was refreshing to hear a new point of view and to hear how the two siblings lives were so dependant on each others. It is a very heart warming, make you laugh , make you cry kind of tale. Thank both for so many years of wonderful music and now a lovely book.

Everyone can appreciate her story

Everyone can appreciate her story. So full of heartache, but with love prevailing in the end.

Great full

Thank you Willie and Bobbie,
I have only been blessed to see you one time . At the Filmore in San Francisco. I was standing just behind another woman . I held my hand to my ear for a tiny wave and Willie you returned my exact wave. It was obviously a treasure I will carry in my heart . I have two sons, but one lives in heaven. Aortic rupture took him at age 26. Five years ago my Dommy Doo left. My son Ray and I do our best to carry on. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do. Sending love to you and your family,
Deb and my wonderful husband Aldo

I LOVED this book SOOOOO MUCH- so many teachings‼️💞

First let me say that anyone who does not read this book on audible will never understand its impact.

This book is filled with lessons, faith, relationships, music, religion, politics, the history of music in America, family complexities, sibling love, and oh so much life.
I believe this book will make you mourn for the things you have not experienced, rejoice in the things you were spared and mostly... it will stir in you, a sense of compassion, understanding, and appreciation for the paths that others take.
This will be in my TOP 10 of all times!

Wow!!!

Wonderfully told story from Willie and Bobbie. Captivating, beautiful, heart wrenching...have even more respect for Willie Nelson, and a new found respect for Sister Bobbie. Thank you so much for sharing.

The best way to know this story is to listen to it

All of the ups and downs and ups of the lives of these famous siblings, intertwined in faith and music, are there for the understanding as you listen to their voices tell their story. Willie and Bobbie Nelson do this not just as a narration but as you would explain your life to a friend. I loved this from beginning to end. There were plenty of smiles, laughs, and a few tears as you feel what they feel. Having been on the periphery of their family band, I have a deeper appreciation of the journey they've had and the struggles they've dealt with that have made them who they are. It's heartfeltl storytelling - simply wonderful.