What better way to celebrate Tami’s return to the iconic Luck Reunion festival held on Willie Nelson’s ranch than with “Sister’s Coming Home”, one of her favourites from his extensive songbook. Featuring exciting new artist and Texas native Nicky Diamonds (The Black Opry) and engineered by GRAMMY award winning Steve Chadie who works in-house at the storied Pedernales Studio, Tami said recording this song was special for many reasons:

“Growing up performing in a family band, I’ve always loved this song from a sibling perspective. This track documents the first time me and my two brothers have recorded music together in 25 years. It wasn’t planned- Jay performs and tours with me regularly and our little brother Todd creates my visuals and has produced many of my music videos and album covers throughout my career. Todd was there to film and document this project- which was supposed to be just Jay and I recording a little acoustic love letter to Willie for his 90th birthday present. We walked into the studio and Chadie had scavenged around the studio for some percussion and rustled up a kick, snare and a floor tom- (no cymbals a la Willie!) I asked Todd if he would mind hopping on the makeshift kit and The Neilson Family was reunited once again!”

After the surprise 2022 live performance at Luck Reunion of their duet, “Beyond the Stars”, Tami and Willie went on to win New Zealand’s “BEST COUNTRY SONG 2023” at the Country Music Awards. Neilson says she will be bringing along the plaque to present to Willie for him to add to his archive. “You know, in case he wants to prop it up next to his 14 GRAMMYS!”, she laughs.



What better way to celebrate Tami’s return to the iconic Luck Reunion festival held on Willie Nelson’s ranch than with “Sister’s Coming Home”, one of her favourites from his extensive songbook. Featuring exciting new artist and Texas native Nicky Diamonds (The Black Opry) and engineered by GRAMMY award winning Steve Chadie who works in-house at the storied Pedernales Studio, Tami said recording this song was special for many reasons:

“Growing up performing in a family band, I’ve always loved this song from a sibling perspective. This track documents the first time me and my two brothers have recorded music together in 25 years. It wasn’t planned- Jay performs and tours with me regularly and our little brother Todd creates my visuals and has produced many of my music videos and album covers throughout my career. Todd was there to film and document this project- which was supposed to be just Jay and I recording a little acoustic love letter to Willie for his 90th birthday present. We walked into the studio and Chadie had scavenged around the studio for some percussion and rustled up a kick, snare and a floor tom- (no cymbals a la Willie!) I asked Todd if he would mind hopping on the makeshift kit and The Neilson Family was reunited once again!”

After the surprise 2022 live performance at Luck Reunion of their duet, “Beyond the Stars”, Tami and Willie went on to win New Zealand’s “BEST COUNTRY SONG 2023” at the Country Music Awards. Neilson says she will be bringing along the plaque to present to Willie for him to add to his archive. “You know, in case he wants to prop it up next to his 14 GRAMMYS!”, she laughs.


WATCH Willie Nelson crash Tami Neilson’s acceptance speech at the NZ Country Music Awards : youtu.be/cVGBzNp4ygw