About this episode
Tami Neilson discusses the significance of Willie Nelson's song 'I Thought About You, Lord' and shares personal stories about family and collaboration.
Americana star Tami Neilson—a New Zealand-based singer-songwriter and, essentially, adopted member of Willie Nelson’s family—talks about a deep cut off his sublime 1996 album Spirit , “I Thought About You, Lord.” It’s a hugely important song to Tami, who first came to Willie through his gospel side as a young girl barnstorming the US and Canada with her country-gospel family band, The Neilsons. And ‘family’ is the strong undercurrent running through this episode, as Tami talks about sharing the Luck Reunion stage with Willie just a week after Sister Bobbie died; the sisterly bond she’s formed with his wife, Annie; and the way Willie subbed in for her late father, Ron Neilson, on their beautiful 2022 duet, “Beyond the Stars.”
People in this episode
Host: John Spong
Guest: Tami Neilson
Topics covered
- Americana music
- family bonds
- gospel music
- song analysis
- artist collaboration
Keywords
- Tami Neilson
- Willie Nelson
- gospel music
- family
- Americana
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Neilsons
Books & works: I Thought About You, Lord, Spirit, Beyond the Stars
More episodes of One by Willie
- Ali Siddiq on "Midnight Rider" · June 3, 2026 · 48 min
- George Saunders on "Pancho and Lefty" · May 20, 2026 · 1h 0m
- One by Willie x Nashville Now: Happy Birthday, Willie Nelson! · April 29, 2026 · 56 min
- Emmylou Harris on "Till I Gain Control Again" (special Willie's birthday episode) · April 22, 2026 · 42 min
- Matt Berninger on "All of Me" · April 8, 2026 · 48 min
- Jamey Johnson on "It Always Will Be" · March 25, 2026 · 51 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the One by Willie podcast page.