Coming Up: Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real

Lukas Nelson, the son of legendary country artist Willie Nelson, is more than just his father’s son. Starting his own career with his father at a young age, he has now emerged from his father’s shadow. He has been met with acclaim by People Magazine who say, “Nelson has his own star power” and UPROXX who say that he is a “force to be reckoned with.” As a 28-year-old the rocker is seen as a veteran on the rock scene and “is the real deal and deserves to be treated seriously, independent of his father’s legacy.” Nelson and Promise of the Real are heading to Saturn on 11/10.

The energetic Lukas Nelson and his brand-new album, Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real, have received raving reviews from Rolling Stone, AP, People, EW, Billboard, American Songwriter, and many more. The album is produced by John Alagia (Dave Matthews, John Mayer) and includes contributions from Lady Gaga, Lucius, and Lukas’s father, Willie Nelson.

With his accentuated twangy rock voice, Lukas Nelson is certainly stylized and recognizable. His stage presence equates to someone that is an established and a knowledgeable marshal of the rock scene. Wearing a tall hat center stage, performing a cover of Tom Petty’s “American Girl,” he comes across as something in between Slash and Joe Walsh. Nelson and Promise of the Real have a soulful rock sound that engages the listener into their high-octane-then-relaxed performance tempo.

In 2007, Nelson met his drummer Anthony LoGerfo at a Neil Young concert Los Angeles. They began playing together by the end of 2008 and recruited bassist, Merlyn Kelly, and percussionist, Tato Melgar, to form Promise of the Real. The band mixed blues, reggae, roots, and straight up American rock into their first studio recording, which included a contribution from Lukas’ younger brother, Micah Nelson.

Nelson and the Promise of the Real have performed on Conan and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, previewing the release of the “soulful, striking” (Associated Press) Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real, and they have also performed Farm Aid sets with Neil Young, Jack Johnson, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, and a Grand Ole Opry music concert debut.

Entertainment Weekly has said this album is “the band’s best work. The record is a huge leap forward for Nelson, whose improved songwriting prowess is evident.”

The music starts at 8:30 p.m. Nelson will be joined by Nikki Lane and Caleb Caudle. Saturn is located at 200 41st Street, Birmingham, Alabama 35222.

Story by Oliver Simpson, Tuscaloosa. Photo by Joey Martinez.