Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real

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Lukas Nelson
Also known asPOTR
OriginVenice, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresRock, country rock, roots rock
Years active2008–present
LabelsFantasy
MembersLukas Nelson
Anthony LoGerfo
Tato Melgar
Corey McCormick
Logan Metz
Past membersMerlyn Kelly
Websitelukasnelson.com

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, sometimes referred to as POTR, is an American country rock band formed in Los Angeles in 2008. The band consists of Lukas Nelson (lead vocals,songwriter, acoustic and electric guitars), Anthony LoGerfo (drums), Corey McCormick (bass guitar, vocals), Logan Metz (keyboards, lap steel, banjo, harmonica, vocals), and Tato Melgar (percussion). The band has released eight studio albums and two live albums as well as numerous singles, and extended plays (EP).

Headlining hundreds of their own shows, they have also toured with John Fogerty, BB King, and Willie Nelson (Lukas Nelson's father), and opened for The Rolling Stones and The Who in 2018. From 2015 to 2019, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real were the backing band for Canadian musician Neil Young.

History[edit]

Formation and Early Releases[edit]

In 2007, Lukas Nelson (Willie Nelson's son) moved from Paia, Hawaii to Los Angeles in 2007 to attend Loyola Marymount University. At a Neil Young rock concert in 2008, he met musician Anthony LoGerfo, who shared Nelson's interest in rock music. They began playing together and launched Promise of the Real with Tato Melgar (percussionist), and Merlyn Kelly (bassist) [1] The band name was inspired by a lyric from a Neil Young song. The specific lyric "Some get stoned, some get strange, but sooner or later it all gets real," is found in the song Walk On.[2]

In the fall of 2008, the band released the EP, Live Beginnings, recorded at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, California. Sales from the EP supported costs of their early touring.[3] The band began touring, playing upwards of 300 shows throughout the next two years. By January 2009, they were on the road with Willie Nelson, a trip that included five-nights of shows at The Fillmore in San Francisco. Later that year, they shared the stage with B.B. King and appeared at festivals including the Waterfront Blues Festival and the Telluride Brews and Blues Festival.[4]

That year, they released the studio EP Brando's Paradise Sessions. The five track release features bassist John Avila in place of their original bassist, Merlyn Kelly, who was no longer with the band. The album cover is a painting by Nelson's younger brother, Micah Nelson, an artist, composer and musician, and his artwork appears on several of their other albums.

In March 2010, they released their first studio album, Promise of the Real, recorded at the Pedernales Recording Studio in Austin, Texas. Corey McCormick, their new bassist, appears on the album having joined the band in 2009, replacing Kelly. McCormick had previously been a bassist with Chris Cornell.[5] The album includes three cover tracks: Peaceful Solution (Willie Nelson), Pali Gap/Hey Baby (Jimi Hendrix) and L.A.(Neil Young), all songs by the artists that have heavily influenced the members of the band. Album engineer Steve Chadie's 6-year-old daughter provided the cover art and the release includes a booklet of Micah Nelson's paintings created on stage during their concerts.

Over the next few years, they consistently performed over 200 shows per year from coast to coast, building a solid and expanding fan base.

Wasted and Live Endings[edit]

In 2012, the band released two albums, Wasted and Live Endings, both on the Tidal Tone label. By the time they were in the studio to record Wasted, they made significant changes in their production process. Neil Young has greatly influenced them, in both their music style and production values, and at his suggestion, they decided to record live in the studio in analog to enhance the sound quality. Nelson believes doing so “added a lot of magnetism and energy. . . this record sounds more like what you get when you see us perform.” https://rogovoyreport.com/2012/08/29/lukas-nelson-helsinki-hudson-preview/[6] Co-producer Jim “Moose” Brown ( the Grammy Award-winning session musician/songwriter/producer) added greater complexity to the music on this album by bringing in additional instrumentation including steel guitar, harmonica, Dobro guitar, Wurtlitzer piano, and Hammond B3 organ [7]

Nelson and POTR never failed to seize valuable opportunities to expand their national exposure. In April 2012, they appeared on Bob Weir's studio TRI Studios broadcast on Yahoo Music. In the fall of that year, they backed John Fogerty on his coast-to-coast tour of Canada.[8]. The band continued to open shows for Willie Nelson, and performed a cover of Pearl Jam's "Just Breathe" live on Willie's Roadhouse channel on Sirius XM on May 15, 2012.[9]. Since 2009, they have consistently performed at the annual Farm Aid fundraising concerts. By 2013, the band had appeared on a number of major late night talk shows including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and two performances on The Late Show with David Letterman.[10]

Willie Nelson's Heroes (2012)[edit]

Willie Nelson's album Heroes released on May 15, 2012, featured Lukas on 10 of the 14 tracks. Lukas and his father performed "Texas Flood" on Lat e Night with Jimmy Fallon on May 14, 2012.

Backing and Collaborations with Neil Young (2015-2019)[edit]

In January 2015, Neil Young and the band recorded the concept album The Monsanto Years. The album includes "A Rock Star Bucks A Coffee Shop" which targets Starbucks and its use of genetically modified food. The album recording and live rehearsals were filmed by Don Hannah in April 2015 for a film also entitled The Monsanto Years.[11]

On June 17, 2016, the live album Earth was released. It was recorded during the Rebel Content Tour in 2015 and featured live performances augmented by studio overdubs and nature and animal sounds.

On November 3, 2017, Young announced a new album with Promise of the Real. The album, entitled The Visitor, was released December 1 and included a song called "Already Great".[12]

The album Paradox (2018) is the soundtrack to Daryl Hannah's film Paradox released on March 23, 2018.[13]

Noise & Flowers is a live album of selected songs from Young's tour of Europe in 2019, which was released on August 5, 2022.[14] The tour commenced just two weeks after the passing of Young's long time manager and friend Elliot Roberts and served as a memorial to their 50 plus years of collaboration.[15][16]

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real (2017)[edit]

The band signed with Fantasy Records and released the self-titled album Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real on August 25, 2017.[17] The album hit No. 1 on the Americana Radio Chart the week of November 10, 2017[18] Lady Gaga, with whom Nelson was collaborating on A Star Is Born, provided backing vocals on two tracks. The album earned the band its first Americana Music Awards nomination for Duo/Group of the Year.[19]

Willie Nelson & The Boys (Willie's Stash, Vol. 2) (2017)[edit]

On October 20, 2017, Legacy Recordings released "Willie Nelson and the Boys (Willie's Stash, Vol. 2)", a family collaboration showcasing Willie, Lukas, and Micah performing a selection of American country music classics, including seven penned by Hank Williams, Sr.[20]

A Star Is Born (2018)[edit]

A Star Is Born, directed by Bradley Cooper and starring Cooper and Lady Gaga, was released in October 2018.[21] Nelson co-produced the music for the film, writing songs with Gaga, after being hired as an authenticity consultant to Cooper. Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real appear in the film as Cooper's band. Nelson won a BAFTA Award for Best Original Music and Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media for his work.[22]

Turn Off The News (Build A Garden) (2019)[edit]

Turn Off the News (Build a Garden) marked the band's fifth studio album release and second studio album release for Fantasy Records. The album was released on June 14, 2019,[23] peaking at No. 19 on Billboard's US Top Country Albums chart [24] and 31 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart.[25]

Naked Garden (2020)[edit]

On March 27, 2020, the band released Naked Garden, a 15-track collection that is a companion piece to 2019's Turn Off the News (Build a Garden).[26][27] Naked Garden includes previously unreleased versions and alternate takes of songs that were recorded during the Turn Off The News (Build A Garden) sessions at Shangri-La and Village Studios.[27]

A Few Stars Apart (2021)[edit]

On April 28, 2021, the band announced their next studio album release on Fantasy Records, A Few Stars Apart, accompanied by the first single released from the album, "Perennial Bloom (Back To You)". Available June 11, 2021, the album was recorded at RCA Studio A in Nashville and Produced by Dave Cobb.[28]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[29] 		US
Country
[30] 		US
Heat.
[31] 		US
Taste
[32] 		US
Folk
[33]
Promise of the Real — — — — —
Wasted
  • Release date: April 3, 2012
  • Label: Tone Tide Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 — — — — —
Something Real — — 19 — 16
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
  • Release date: August 25, 2017
  • Label: Fantasy
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 — 2 35 19 10
Turn Off the News (Build a Garden)
  • Release date: June 14, 2019[35]
  • Label: Fantasy
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 151 19 — 9 4
Naked Garden
  • Release date: March 27, 2020
  • Label: Fantasy
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 — — — — —
A Few Stars Apart
  • Release date: June 11, 2021
  • Label: Fantasy
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 — — — — —
Sticks and Stones
  • Release date: July 14, 2023
  • Label: 6ACE / Thirty Tigers
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Collaborations[edit]

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[37] 		AUS
[38] 		GER
[39] 		ITA
[40] 		NED
[41] 		NOR
[42] 		SWE
[43] 		UK
[44]
The Monsanto Years
(with Neil Young)
  • Released: June 29, 2015
  • Label: Reprise
 21 23 13 27 14 38 47 24
The Visitor
(with Neil Young)
  • Released: December 1, 2017
  • Label: Reprise
 167 85 25 — 39 36 32 65

EPs[edit]

Album Release date
Brando's Paradise Sessions EP September 30, 2010

Live recordings[edit]

Album Release date
Live Beginnings October 2008
Live Endings December 2012
Earth (with Neil Young) June 2016
Noise & Flowers (with Neil Young) August 2022

Other appearances[edit]

Album Release date
Dumb and Dumber To November 7, 2014
The Ranch April 1, 2016
My Little Pony: The Movie September 22, 2017

Music videos

References[edit]

  1. ^ Harward, Randy. "Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real". Salt Lake City Weekly. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  2. ^ "Lukas Nelson". Playing For Change. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  3. ^ "ramentertainment.com". Ram Entertainment and Special Event Services. April 4, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "concertarchives.org". Concert Archives. Retrieved April 4, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "A conversation with Chris Cornell by Clare O'Brien". June 22, 2007. Archived from the original on June 22, 2007. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  6. ^ "Lukas Nelson, Son of Willie Nelson, to Perform at Helsinki Hudson". The Rogovoy Report. August 29, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ ""Lukas Nelson: Wasted"". Glide Magazine. Retrieved April 17, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "John Fogerty / Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real". Concert Archives. April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ "Watch Willie Nelson and Sons Cover Pearl Jam's 'Just Breathe'". Spin. May 15, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  10. ^ "Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real". metacritic.com. April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  11. ^ Gensler, Andy (June 16, 2015). "Neil Young's Corporate Targets Respond to Him Calling Them Out on New Album". Billboard.
  12. ^ "Neil Young Announces New Album The Visitor, Shares "Already Great": Listen | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. November 3, 2017. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  13. ^ Cush, Andy (March 13, 2018). "Neil Young Announces New Album 'Paradox' to Soundtrack Daryl Hannah Western". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  14. ^ Greene, Andy (June 24, 2022). "Neil Young Announces 'Noise & Flowers' Live Album Capturing 'Amazing' 2019 Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  15. ^ Greene, Andy (June 24, 2022). "Neil Young Announces 'Noise & Flowers' Live Album Capturing 'Amazing' 2019 Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  16. ^ Robinson, Ellie (June 25, 2022). "Neil Young to immortalise 2019 tour on 'Noise & Flowers' live album and film". NME. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  17. ^ "Hear Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real's Soulful Songs From New LP". Rolling Stone. July 6, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  18. ^ "Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real Hit #1 On Americana Radio Chart - Lukas Nelson". Lukas Nelson. November 10, 2017. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  19. ^ "Americana Announces 2018 Honors & Awards Nominees - AmericanaMusic.org". americanamusic.org. May 14, 2018.
  20. ^ "'Willie Nelson and the Boys (Willie's Stash, Vol. 2)' Set To Release on October 20". Legacy Recordings. September 19, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  21. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 22, 2017). "Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper's 'A Star Is Born' Moves Up To Next Summer". Deadline. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  22. ^ Nordine, Michael (February 10, 2019). "BAFTA Awards 2019: 'Roma' Wins Best Film as 'The Favourite' Takes Home the Most Prizes". IndieWire. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  23. ^ "Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real are fulfilling all their promise". Austin360. July 25, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  24. ^ "Chart History - Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real". May 14, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  25. ^ "Chart History - Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real". May 14, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  26. ^ "Lukas Nelson on the Underlying Messages Behind 'Naked Garden' and 'Turn Off the News'". Variety. March 25, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  27. ^ a b "Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real Announce New Album 'Naked Garden' & Share Single". Jambase. February 14, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  28. ^ "Lukas Nelson Previews New Album With Optimistic Track 'Perennial Bloom'". Rolling Stone. April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  29. ^ "Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real Chart history: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  30. ^ "Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real - Chart history (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  31. ^ "Lukas Nelson - Chart history (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  32. ^ "Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real - Chart history (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  33. ^ "Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real Chart history (Americana/Folk Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  34. ^ Bjorke, Matt (January 14, 2019). "Top 10 Country Albums Chart: January 14, 2019". Roughstock. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  35. ^ "Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real to release new album Turn Off the News (Build a Garden) in June". Entertainment-focus.com. May 1, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  36. ^ Bjorke, Matt (March 3, 2020). "Top 10 Country Albums In Pure Sales: March 2, 2020". Roughstock. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  37. ^ "Neil Young - Chart history (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  38. ^ "Australian Albums". Australian-charts.com Hung Medien.
  39. ^ "Neil Young - The Monsanto Years" (in German). GfK Entertainment.
  40. ^ "All chart peaks from 2000-present". FIMI.
  41. ^ "Dutch Albums". Dutchcharts.nl.
  42. ^ "Norwegian Albums". Norwegiancharts.com.
  43. ^ "Swedish Albums". Swedishcharts.com.
  44. ^ "UK Albums". Officialcharts.com.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lukas_Nelson_%26_Promise_of_the_Real&oldid=1219465095"