The Family Band had gathered in the studio when Willie Nelson ribbed big sister Bobbie to "warm up that piana."
She sat down and her fingers danced through Willie's ballad "Back to Earth." She flirted with the melodies, extending the piece beyond its 3 1/2 minutes.
Then she delved into ragtime, whipping through the playfully lyrical "Boogie Woogie" and "The House of Blue Lights," songs that are staples at Willie Nelson concerts.
"Willie said, 'You know, sister Bobbie, we need to keep this,'" Bobbie Nelson recalled recently.
They decided then that Bobbie, who had spent her life supporting the career of her country-blues-singing little brother, should have a piece of musical history for her own.
The result is Bobbie's debut album, "Audiobiography," which was released last year. Willie's spirit courses throughout the dozen songs, many of which he penned, and his voice opens and closes the album.
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"I just love playing Willie's music, which I guess is why I don't write my own," Bobbie Nelson said from a Florida tour stop not long after her 77th birthday on Jan. 1.
In that interview, Bobbie Nelson, who has recorded and toured with Willie throughout his four-decade career, rarely let the spotlight drift far from the Redheaded Stranger.
"I would hope that I would never have to leave his side," she said in a soft, Texas twang. "I know that's not going to be true one of these days. But as long as I'm able, I'll be there. So far, I'm able."
Looking back over your life and career, did you imagine you would be out on the road doing this at 77?
"No. I did not. These last years, I guess I feel very lucky that I've really survived and actually feel this good."
You just released your debut album last year. Why didn't you do that decades ago?
"Some years ago, I used to say . . . well, it would be nice if I had some sort of an album that would maybe work for me a bit. But I never followed through on that. Then I went back on the road with Willie and I was recording with him. . . . Playing his music, I felt really fulfilled. I didn't feel the necessity to record on my own. I always wanted to do it with Willie. Everything I played I wanted to play with Willie."
What's your favorite song of Willie's to play?
"I love 'Crazy' and I love 'Will You Remember Mine.' I think I have it on iTunes. It is one of the songs that I have played in piano bars and supper clubs. I just love that song. Of course, I love 'Angels Flying Too Close to the Ground.' He's just written so many beautiful songs, and there's a lot of them that have not become really that well-known. If I do any more recordings I want to do some of those."
So can we expect more albums?
"I do love to play. I just did this so that I will have these things recorded so that they will be here forever for my family. I don't know that I will record some more, but I might. And I definitely would love to do some more of Willie's music."
When the project was finished, did you sit back and say, "Geez, I wish I had done this 25 years ago"?
"I thought about that. I'm such a believer that things happen when they are supposed to."
Has this been a fulfilling life, professionally and personally?
"It's been totally fulfilling for me. Now, this is not a life I recommend for anyone. We have always played music. It's just the way we live . . . . I love to do what I do. It's been a wonderful thing for me."
Willie's new album, "Moment of Forever" (Lost Highway), dropped Tuesday.
The disc was produced by veteran Nashville craftsman Buddy Cannon and country superstar Kenny Chesney. Chesney's influence could boost Nelson's radio presence and sales.
• When: 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Where: Desert Diamond Casino, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, at Interstate 19.
• Tickets: $35-$65 in advance at www.ticketmaster.com; $5 more day of show. Tuesday's show is sold out; limited availability for Wednesday.
