The next generation of musicians often follow in the footsteps of their parents. Lukas Nelson is one of those musicians. Imagine what the young Nelson learned from his father, Willie Nelson, during countless tours!
Lukas moved from his home in Hawaii and settled in Los Angeles in 2007. His music history starts in the Venice suburb of Los Angeles. He met other musicians and dropped out of college in 2008 to pursue a performing career on a full-time basis. Lukas called Anthony Logerfo (drummer), Tato Melgar (percussionist), Merlyn Kelly (bassist), and formed Promise of the Real.
The band released its first full-length record, “Promise of the Real,” in December 2010, recorded in Austin, Texas at Pedernales Studios.
The record’s songs display two of Lukas’s main influences, Jimi Hendrix and Neil Young: “Pali Gap/Hey Baby” and “L.A.”, respectively. The band also covers “Peaceful Solution,” a song written by Lukas’s father, Willie Nelson, and his sister Amy Niccore.
Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real played more than 200 shows across the United States during 2011, promoting “Promise of the Real,” sometimes opening a show for his father and making many tv and promotional appearances before releasing their second album, “Wasted,” in April, 2012.
Recording more tracks for his father, touring with John Fogerty and performing on Sirius/XM has kept Lukas busy.
The band with Lukas’ brother Micah Nelson collaborated with Neil Young on “The Monsanto Years” which included “A Rock Star Bucks A Coffee Shop” which targets Starbucks and its use of genetically modified food. POTR and Michal Nelson toured as Young’s backing band in 2015 and 2016.
The 2017 official lineup replaces bassist Merlyn Kelly with Corey McCormick, and adds Jesse Grey Siebenberg and Alberto Bof.
Now, the POTR is set to release “Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real” on Fantasy Records, slated August 25th, 2017. Meanwhile, hear a song from the album, “Find Yourself,” only from Sacramento’s K-ZAP 93.3 FM and streaming at K-ZAP.ORG, part of the 50 years of rock, blues and more!
Discography
Promise of the Real (2010)
Wasted (2012)
The Monsanto Years (2015)
Something Real (2016)
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real (2017)
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