American rock singer, songwriter, guitarist and mandolin player, born June 12, 1943 in Seattle, Washington.
Son of Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Nelson. Nephew of Don Nelson.
Older brother of actor/singer Ricky Nelson.
Adopted father of Teri Nelson , who was married to Chuck Woolery.
Married June Blair at Forest Lawn Memorial Parks Church of the Hills. Brother Ricky was Best Man.
(December 2002) Stopped by a ticket agent at John Wayne Airport after letters in the name "David Nelson" were red flagged for terrorists. Two police officers recognized Nelson and allowed him to board his flight.
Stepfather of producer/assistant director John Nelson.
Growing up on his familys television series, his character wound up becoming a lawyer before the series ended. In real-life, David took an interest in directing and cut his teeth directing a number of episodes for his father on the series.
The radio show began without the Nelson boys. Ozzie and Harriet were hesitant about steering them into show business. However, after a young friend, Lindsay Crosby , made a guest appearance on the radio program with his father, Bing Crosby , the boys campaigned to have their parents let them appear. Ozzie and Harriet eventually relented and the boys were a success especially when the show transferred to television.
He and Ricky were once dubbed "The Crown Princes of Radio" by Radio Life magazine.
David and his brother Ricky made their film debuts in the family feature Here Come the Nelsons (1952) , a comedy released about eight months before the family debuted on television.
For the film The Big Circus , he had to learn how to be a catcher in a trapeze act. He later appeared professionally as a catcher.
His mother, singer-actress Harriet Nelson , appeared with him in the dramatic film Smash-Up on Interstate 5 .
Father of Daniel and James Blair from his first marriage. Adopted his second wifes three children from their marriage.
Uncle of Tracy Nelson , Matthew Nelson , Gunnar Nelson and Sam Nelson.
Following his death, he was cremated and interred at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1501 Vine Street in Hollywood, California on May 9, 1996.
In the summer of 2006, he was asked to contribute to an album of Grateful Dead songs being made in Nashville by Jesse McReynolds. While in Nashville for the recording sessions, David appeared on the Grand Ol Opry and played "Ripple," the first-ever Grateful Dead song to be performed on the Opry.
(November 2006) Currently touring with The New Riders of the Purple Sage, David Nelson & Friends, and The Papermill Creek Rounders.
(April 1997) A CD-ROM for school administrators, a video-based course for teachers using feature films, a doctoral degree in Instructional Systems Design at Florida State University.
Chief strategist, Belpointe Asset Management.
And when he became a popular singer, I rooted for him. .
