Album of the Week: 'Loving You' by Amanda Shires and Bobbie Nelson

According to Amanda Shires, the late piano player Bobbie Nelson was a huge inspiration on her career.

“Much of my path seemed possible because I saw a woman working and making a career of music at a young age, and that woman was Bobbie Nelson.”

Bobbie Nelson passed away in March of 2022, at the age of 91. The sister of Willie Nelson, she was the longtime piano player for his band The Family, and began her career in the 1950’s. Her final album, a collaboration with Amanda Shires called Loving You was released on June 23, 2023.

The two women from different generations of Americana and country music completed the album of duets during the pandemic. Largely focusing on standards from country and western music, the album is a celebration of Bobbie Nelson’s life and the music she loved.

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Featuring headliner Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit along with Amanda Shires, Shemekia Copeland and Dessa, Grand Rapids Riverfest is expected to draw about 3,500 people. Tickets go on sale 8 a.m. Friday, April 28, at grandrapidsriverfest.com/tickets.

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The album begins with the popular bar room dance song “Waltz Across Texas”, first recorded by Earnest Tubbs in 1965. Nelson’s lively piano puts the waltz in the song and is matched by the twang in Shires’ singing.

Another standard track is their version of “Old Fashioned Love”, where Shires’ fiddle shines on the lead melody. Later on, Willie Nelson joins the party for “Summertime”.

It is hard to imagine how many times throughout their lives the Nelson siblings have performed the song. This time around, Bobbie’s piano is the anchor. Willie and Shires share the vocal duties, with her voice soaring and his holding down the fort.

Loving You is a fitting final act to the incredible life and career of Bobbie Nelson, and it is KAXE/KBXE’s Album of the Week for June 30 – July 6, 2023. You can see Amanda Shires perform, alongside Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Shemekia Copeland and Dessa at the Grand Rapids Riverfest on Saturday, September 9.