Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, sometimes referred to as POTR, is an American country rock group based in California. The band consists of Lukas Nelson (lead vocals, guitar), Anthony LoGerfo (drums, percussion), Corey McCormick (bass guitar, vocals), Logan Metz (keyboards, lap steel, guitar, harmonica, vocals), and Tato Melgar (percussion). Lukas is the son of

Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album ''Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of ''Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and '' Stardust'' (197 ...

. Lukas Nelson & Promise of The Real has released 6 studio albums and 4 EP's. From 2015 to 2019, Promise of the Real were Canadian musician

Neil Young Neil Percival Young (born November 12, 1945) is a Canadian-American singer and songwriter. After embarking on a music career in Winnipeg in the 1960s, Young moved to Los Angeles, joining Buffalo Springfield with Stephen Stills, Richie Furay ...

's regular backing band. With Young, the band has recorded two studio albums, ''

The Monsanto Years ''The Monsanto Years'' is a studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young and the American rock group Promise of the Real, released on June 29, 2015 on Reprise Records. A concept album which criticizes the agribusiness company Monsant ...

'' (2015) and '' The Visitor'' (2017), a soundtrack album, ''

Paradox A paradox is a logically self-contradictory statement or a statement that runs contrary to one's expectation. It is a statement that, despite apparently valid reasoning from true premises, leads to a seemingly self-contradictory or a logically u ...

'' (2018), and two live albums, ''

Earth Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. While large volumes of water can be found throughout the Solar System, only Earth sustains liquid surface water. About 71% of Earth's surfa ...

'' (2016) and '' Noise & Flowers'' (2022). When backing Young, the band is typically expanded to include Nelson’s younger brother, Micah Nelson.

History

Formation of Promise of the Real

Lukas Autry Nelson moved from

Paia, Hawaii Pā'ia ( haw, Pāia ) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Maui County, Hawaii, United States, on the northern coast of the island of Maui. The population was 2,470 at the 2020 census. Pā'ia is home to several restaurants, art galleries, sur ...

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

in 2007 to attend

Loyola Marymount University Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a private Jesuit and Marymount research university in Los Angeles, California. It is located on the west side of the city near Playa Vista. LMU is the parent school to Loyola Law School, which is located ...

where he met and became friends with future keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Logan Metz, who later joined the band in 2018. In 2008, Nelson met then current if all else fails drummer Anthony LoGerfo at a

concert, where they bonded over their shared love of rock music. They began playing music together regularly after Lukas dropped out of college in October, 2008. They enlisted Tato Melgar (

percussionist A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is sounded by being struck or scraped by a beater including attached or enclosed beaters or rattles struck, scraped or rubbed by hand or struck against another similar instrument. Ex ...

), and Merlyn Kelly (

bassist A bassist (also known as a bass player or bass guitarist) is a musician who plays a Bass (instrument), bass instrument such as a double bass (upright bass, contrabass, wood bass), bass guitar (electric bass, acoustic bass), synthbass, keyboar ...

) to form POTR.

''Live Beginnings'' (2008–2009)

The band played its first shows in the fall of 2008, selling its first EP ''Live Beginnings'' to pay for touring. The album contained live tracks recorded at the “Belly Up” venue in

Solana Beach, California Solana Beach (''Solana'', Spanish for "warm wind") is a coastal city in San Diego County, California. Its population was at 12,941 at the 2020 U.S. Census, up from 12,867 at the 2010 Census. History The area was first settled by the San Dieg ...

. In January 2009, the band began a nine-show tour opening for

, including a five-night stop at

The Fillmore The Fillmore is a historic music venue in San Francisco, California. Built in 1912 and originally named the Majestic Hall, it became the Fillmore Auditorium in 1954. It is in Western Addition, on the edge of the Fillmore District and Upper Fil ...

in San Francisco. Following that tour the band embarked on a two-week tour with

B.B. King Riley B. King (September 16, 1925 – May 14, 2015), known professionally as B.B. King, was an American blues singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on fluid string bending, shi ...

through Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Nebraska.

''Brando's Paradise Sessions'' EP (2009)

In April 2009, Promise of the Real released its first studio EP, ''Brando’s Paradise Sessions''. Its cover art became the basis for the band's peace sign logo. Original bassist Merlyn Kelly left the band in 2009. Corey McCormick became the band's bass player in 2010. McCormick had performed with

Chris Cornell Christopher John Cornell (né Boyle; July 20, 1964 – May 18, 2017) was an American singer and musician best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and primary lyricist and songwriter for the rock bands Soundgarden and Audioslave. H ...

Soundgarden Soundgarden was an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and drummer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil (both of whom are the only members to appear in every incarnation of the band), and bassist Hiro Yamamo ...

Promise of the Real Touring Appearances (2010–2012)

The band released its first album, ''Promise of the Real'', in December 2010. ''Promise of the Real'' was recorded in Austin, Texas at Pedernales Studios in March 2010. Album engineer

Steve Chadie Steve Chadie (born 2 May 1968) is an audio engineer who has worked extensively with Willie Nelson. His recordings with Nelson include vocals and guitar on “Last Man Standing”, “My Way” (for which he received a Grammy for Best Traditional ...

's 6-year-old daughter provided the cover art. The album also contains a booklet of paintings and illustrations created on stage by Lukas's brother, Micah, during the band's concerts. The album consists of 12 tracks and one bonus track. The band paid homage to two influences,

Jimi Hendrix James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most ...

and

, in the songs “Pali Gap/Hey Baby" and “L.A.” The band covered “Peaceful Solution”, a song written by Lukas's father,

, and his sister Amy Niccore. And Willie sang back up on “Sound of Your Memory” and “Fathers and Mothers”. Lukas's aunt,

Bobbie Nelson Bobbie Lee Nelson (January 1, 1931 – March 10, 2022) was an American pianist and singer, the elder sister of Willie Nelson, and a member of his band, Willie Nelson and Family. When she was five, her grandmother taught her to play keyboards wi ...

, played piano on "Fathers and Mothers". Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real played more than 200 shows across the United States during 2011, promoting “Promise of the Real”. Major festival appearances included Stagecoach,

Farm Aid Farm Aid is an annual benefit concert held for American farmers. History On July 13, 1985, while performing at the Live Aid benefit concert for the 1983–1985 Ethiopian famine, Bob Dylan made comments about family farmers within the United S ...

Bridge School Benefit The Bridge School Benefit was an annual charity concert usually held in Mountain View, California, every October at the Shoreline Amphitheatre from 1986 until 2016 with the exception of 1987. The concerts lasted the entire weekend and were organ ...

, Sturgis

Buffalo Chip Campground The Buffalo Chip Campground is an event venue in Meade County, South Dakota, United States. The campground is a place for motorcycle enthusiasts and music festival visitors each year, and has been since its founding in 1981. Host to a 10-day Conc ...

, and Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown Tour. The band also made national TV appearances on

The Tonight Show ''The Tonight Show'' is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. The show has been hosted by six comedians: Steve Allen (1954–1957), Jack Paar (1957–1962), Johnny Carson (1962–1992), Jay Leno (1992–2009 and 201 ...

with

Jay Leno James Douglas Muir Leno (; born April 28, 1950) is an American television host, comedian, writer, and actor. After doing stand-up comedy for years, he became the host of NBC's ''The Tonight Show'' from 1992 to 2009. Beginning in September 2009 ...

Jimmy Kimmel Live! ''Jimmy Kimmel Live!'' is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC. The nightly hour-long show debuted on January 26, 2003, at Hollywood Masonic Temple in Hollywood, Los ...

, and the

Late Show with David Letterman The ''Late Show with David Letterman'' is an American late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS, the first iteration of the The Late Show (franchise), ''Late Show'' franchise. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and was produced by ...

. The band frequently opened shows for Willie Nelson in 2012 during which Lukas played with his father's band.

''Wasted'' (2012)

The band released its second studio album, ''Wasted'', on April 3, 2012. Following the album's release, the band embarked on a national tour at Antone's Nightclub in Austin, Texas. The band was featured on a webcast through

Yahoo Music Yahoo! Music was a brand under which Yahoo! provided a variety of music services, including Internet radio, music videos, news, artist information, and original programming. Previously, users with Yahoo! accounts could gain access to hundreds of ...

that was shot at

TRI Studios Tamalpais Research Institute, also known as TRI Studios, is a virtual music venue in San Rafael, California; it is the brainchild of Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir, currently of Dead & Company as well as Bob Weir and Wolf Bros. TRI is a state-o ...

Bob Weir Robert Hall Weir ( ; né Parber, born October 16, 1947) is an American musician and songwriter best known as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. After the group disbanded in 1995, Weir performed with The Other Ones, later known as The Dead ...

’s studio. The webcast aired on April 17, 2012 and has been viewed by hundreds of thousands. The band was featured as the homepage artist on Yahoo music. On May 1, 2012,

Live Nation Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. is an American global entertainment company and monopoly that was founded in 2010 following the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The company promotes, operates, and manages ticket sales for live entertainme ...

announced that Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real would back

John Fogerty John Cameron Fogerty (born May 28, 1945) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. Together with Doug Clifford, Stu Cook, and his brother Tom Fogerty Thomas Richard Fogerty (November 9, 1941 – September 6, 1990) was an American mu ...

on his coast-to-coast tour of Canada in September 2012.

Willie Nelson's ''Heroes'' (2012)

Willie Nelson’s album ''

Heroes Heroes or Héroes may refer to: * Hero, one who displays courage and self-sacrifice for the greater good Film * ''Heroes'' (1977 film), an American drama * ''Heroes'' (2008 film), an Indian Hindi film Gaming * ''Heroes of Might and Magic'' ...

'' released on May 15, 2012, featured Lukas on 10 of the 14 tracks. Willie and Promise of the Real performed a cover of

Pearl Jam Pearl Jam is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. The band's lineup consists of founding members Jeff Ament (bass guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), Mike McCready (lead guitar), and Eddie Vedder (lead vocals, guita ...

’s "Just Breathe" live on

Willie's Roadhouse Willie's Roadhouse (formerly Willie's Place) is a channel on the Sirius XM Radio that specializes in playing traditional country music, as well as some older country hit songs. It is available on channel 59 (previously 56) and Dish Network 6059 ...

channel on

Sirius XM Sirius XM Holdings Inc. is an American broadcasting company headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, New York City that provides satellite radio and online radio services operating in the United States. It was formed by the 2008 merger of Sirius Sat ...

on May 15, 2012. Lukas and his father performed " Texas Flood" on ''

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon ''Late Night with Jimmy Fallon'' is an American late-night talk show hosted by comedian Jimmy Fallon. About pag ...

'' on May 14, 2012.

Collaborations with Neil Young

Neil Young jammed with Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real after Farm Aid 2014.

''The Monsanto Years'' (2015)

In January 2015, Neil Young and the band recorded the

concept album A concept album is an album whose tracks hold a larger purpose or meaning collectively than they do individually. This is typically achieved through a single central narrative or theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, or lyrical. Som ...

''. The album includes "

A Rock Star Bucks A Coffee Shop "A Rock Star Bucks a Coffee Shop" is a song recorded by Neil Young and Promise of the Real. It is a protest song aimed at the companies: Starbucks and Monsanto. The piece comes from the concept album ''The Monsanto Years'', which primarily critici ...

" which targets

Starbucks Starbucks Corporation is an American multinational chain of coffeehouses and roastery reserves headquartered in Seattle, Washington. It is the world's largest coffeehouse chain. As of November 2021, the company had 33,833 stores in 80 c ...

and its use of genetically-modified food. The album recording and live rehearsals were filmed by

Don Hannah Don Hannah (born in Shediac, New Brunswick) is a Canadian playwright and novelist. He won a Floyd S. Chalmers Canadian Play Award for his first play, ''The Wedding Script''. He has been playwright in residence at Tarragon Theatre, the Canadian S ...

in April 2015 for a film also entitled ''The Monsanto Years''.

''Earth'' (2016)

On June 17, 2016, the

live album An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...

'' 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.

''The Visitor'' (2017)

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".

''Paradox'' (2018)

This album is the soundtrack album to

Daryl Hannah Daryl Christine Hannah (born December 3, 1960) is an American actress and environmental activist. She made her screen debut in Brian De Palma's supernatural horror film '' The Fury'' (1978). She has starred in various movies across the years, i ...

's film

released on March 23, 2018.

''Noise & Flowers'' (2022)

Noise & Flowers is a

of selected songs from Young’s tour of Europe in 2019, which was released on August 5, 2022. The tour commenced just two weeks after the passing of Young’s long time manager and friend

Elliot Roberts Elliot Roberts (born Elliot Rabinowitz,Tom King, ''The Operator: David Geffen Builds, Buys, and Sells the New Hollywood'', p. 54, Broadway Books (New York 2001). February 25, 1943 – June 21, 2019)''The Guardian'' article:Lady of the Canyon" ...

and served as a memorial to their 50 plus years of collaboration.

''Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real'' (2017)

The band signed with

Fantasy Records Fantasy Records is an American independent record label company founded by brothers Max and Sol Stanley Weiss in 1949. The early years of the company were dedicated to issuing recordings by jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, who was also one of its inves ...

and released the self-titled album, ''Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real'' on August 25, 2017. The album hit No. 1 on the Americana Radio Chart the week of November 10, 2017

Lady Gaga Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta ( ; born March 28, 1986), known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her image reinventions and musical versatility. Gaga began performing as a teenag ...

, 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.

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

On October 20, 2017,

Legacy Recordings Legacy Recordings is an American record label that is a division of Sony Music. Formed in 1990 after Sony's acquisition of CBS Records, Legacy originally handled the archives of Sony Music-owned labels Columbia Records and Epic Records. In 20 ...

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. Hank Williams (born Hiram Williams; September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century, he reco ...

''A Star Is Born'' (2018)

''A Star Is Born'', directed by

Bradley Cooper Bradley Charles Cooper (born January 5, 1975) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is the recipient of various accolades, including a British Academy Film Award and two Grammy Awards, in addition to nominations for nine Academy Awards, si ...

and starring Cooper and

, was released in October 2018. 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 This is a list of winners and nominees for the BAFTA Award for Best Original Music, formerly known as the Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music, which is presented to film score, film composers, given out by the British Academy of Film and Televis ...

and

Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media The Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media has been awarded since 2000. In 2000 the award was presented as the Grammy Award for Best Soundtrack Album, and from 2001 to 2011 as Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Pi ...

for his work.

''Turn Off The News (Build A Garden)'' (2019)

'' Turn Off the News (Build a Garden)'' marked the band’s fifth studio album release and second studio album release for

. The album was released on June 14, 2019, peaking at No. 19 on Billboard’s US Top Country Albums chart and 31 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart.

''Naked Garden'' (2020)

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)''. ''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.

''A Few Stars Apart'' (2021)

On April 28, 2021, the band announced their next studio album release on

, ''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 Dave Cobb (born July 9, 1974) is an American record producer based in Nashville, Tennessee, best known for producing the work of Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, John Prine, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, The Highwomen and Rival Sons . Cobb i ...

Discography

Studio albums

Collaborations

EPs

Live recordings

Other appearances

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real 2008 establishments in California Best Original Music BAFTA Award winners Fantasy Records artists Grammy Award winners Musical backing groups Musical groups established in 2008 Rock music groups from California