12/3/2010
By GARY DEMUTH Salina Journal

In the two years that Lukas Nelson has been touring with his rock and blues band, Promise of the Real, he's upgraded their traveling arrangements from a truck to a recreational vehicle to a tour bus.

It's a 15-year-old tour bus with 700,000 miles on it, but Nelson is thrilled to take it on the road. After all, he virtually grew up on the bus.

For 15 years, the bus was used by his dad, country music legend Willie Nelson.

The old tour bus not only took Willie to concert gigs around the U.S., it also was transportation for the supergroup The Highwaymen, which included Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson.

"I have so many memories of being on this bus," said Lukas, 22. "It's got a positive vibe to it, and I think it will bring us good luck. It may have 700,000 miles on it, but it's going to last a lot longer."

Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real will be in concert Saturday at the Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts, 151 S. Santa Fe. Opening for Nelson's band will be Shot Gun Sons, a new country band fronted by Salinan Rob Northcutt.

This is a rock band

Although there are some country music influences in the younger Nelson's music, Lukas primarily is a blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter -- more Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn than Willie Nelson.

Lukas has been acclaimed by critics and audiences for his skillful guitar playing, which incorporates rock, blues, country and folk music. In concert, he's even known to perform high-energy guitar solos with his teeth.

"As a kid, I fell in love with Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy and Freddie King, all great blues players," he said. "I just love that kind of music."

So does his dad, as it turns out.

"My dad loves rock, loves to listen to it," Lukas said. "We've collaborated on two songs, and I'm as excited as hell about it."

These songs will be included on Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real's first full-length CD, due for release Dec. 14. The CD will contain original music and cover versions of Neil Young and Jimi Hendrix tunes, as well as Willie Nelson's "Peaceful Solution."

"We recorded about 21 songs in 18 days, and then we had to pick and choose what to put on the album," Lukas said. "I'm so happy with it."

Lukas said the CD will be available through Amazon.com, iTunes and the band's website, www.promiseofthereal.com.

Let's dance and have fun

As reflected in his band's name, Lukas said he and his band strive to be as genuine as possible in their performances.

"We're not going to be something we're not," Lukas said. "We're a rock band, and we do a full-on high- energy rock show. We want people to let go, dance and have fun."

Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, which also consists of drummer Anthony LeGerfo, percussionist Tato Melgar and bassist Corey McCormick, previously has opened for blues legend B.B. King, the Dave Matthews Band and Blues Traveler. Lukas also has performed on stage with his father at various gigs.

The next stop for the band? Hopefully the rest of the world, Lukas said.

"I want to go to Europe, Australia, Asia and play," he said. "I want to share my music everywhere. It's a test of how true your music is if it can transcend cultures."

Not on Willie's name

Born in Austin, Texas, to Willie Nelson and his fourth wife, Annie D'Angelo, Lukas now lives in Los Angeles, although he and the band has been touring so relentlessly that "I've only been home about five weeks all year," he said.

Although his father is a big fan of his son's music, Lukas purposely has not traded on Willie Nelson's name to open doors in the music industry.

"I didn't take anything from my father," Lukas said. "I pride myself for doing it on my own. It's more fun that way."

nReporter Gary Demuth can be reached at 822-1405 or by e-mail at gdemuth@salina.com.

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