I was saddened by the news I got via several news sources today as I learned that Bobbie Nelson, Sister and Pianist for Willie Nelson, has passed. Sources say she died earlier today (3/10/22) surrounded by family and friends. She was 91.
Bobbie Nelson was a main stay in the Willie Nelson Family band. She has been touring with her brother for over 50 years. Bobbie was five and Willie was only two years old when their parents separated. Myrle, the kids mother soon remarried and moved to Oregon. This left Willie and Bobbie in Abbott, Texas to be raised by grandparents, whom they called Mama and Daddy Nelson. At a young age Bobbie was learning to play piano, Daddy Nelson told her,”if you can learn to play and be good enough at it, you can make your living by performing music for people.” What a life she has lived.
These last few days on Twitter, Rich O’Toole has caught a lot of flack on social media for playing his music during a political event for the incumbent Texas Governor Gregg Abott. Once again, this whole topic has made me want to shake my head. I mean whatever happened to the good old days, when people just stayed in their own lanes? In the political spectrum I see the split between the left and right growing bigger and bigger every day. I am not one who normally discusses politics. Personally, I don’t give a shit who you voted for. I might be one of the few folks left in the good old USA who still believes in democracy. I think the people who voted for whichever politician who happens to be in power put that person there. I don’t believe these conspirators who claimed so and so cheated the voting system. It happened and we got a result and now it is up to us to find a common ground and live with whatever decision was made. Country Music Icon Willie Nelson once said,“If you don’t like it, Vote ‘em out.” With that being said- since I don’t usually discuss politics, I discuss music, yet sometimes politics get aimed at musicians. I mean to be honest; I grew up a Republican, but I still listen to an artist like Willie Nelson for example who happens to be Democrat. I listen because I like what they have to say in song, I like the tempo and beat of the music they make, I listen because music makes me genuinely happy. Doesn’t mean I have to agree with what they believe. I am a huge fan of Rich O’Toole I don’t even care if he is an alien, much less where he chooses to take a gig. In fact, I might be a little jealous that he played a live show, and I didn’t get to see him live. O’Toole has put out great songs since the very beginning of his career. He is a writer, and he writes songs that make since to a guy like me. I can put myself in the lanes that he writes about. O’Toole can be a deep thinker and he is always thinking about the bright spots ahead, despite whatever storm cloud may be directly above his head. I know folks are making threats and snide remarks about his career. I know from past experiences that he will push ahead and make something great come out of it. Rich is smart like that. While the rest of the world was talking about how great the television show Yellowstone was, Rich was letting the show inspire him to write more great music. Take 17 Wild Horses for example.
And have you heard Rich’s latest and greatest? Give this one a spin:
When you’re in Texas you shut your mouth
Rich O’Toole
Rich O’Toole is Texas Music. I proudly Support Texas and it’s musical heritage and if you don’t, then that is your problem. Pancho.
