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David Zettner

Bass player whose time in the Family, Willie Nelson's backing band, was cut short when he was drafted into the Army in 1968, but David Zettner remained a member of Nelson's extended family throughout the years. Zettner received his draft notice while on tour with Nelson and recommended his high school buddy from Helotes, Bee Spears, as his replacement. Spears has been in Willie's band for 38 years. He was also the bassist for the Offenders, the pre-Family band Nelson formed in 1966 with Johnny Bush and Jimmy Day. Zettner was also an accomplished artist, who designed Nelson's 1983 "Tougher than Leather" album cover and did artwork on Willie's tour buses. "Even after David was no longer in the band, Willie kept him close," said Nelson's nephew Freddy Fletcher.