Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real’s Wasted Score Points With Critics
Los Angeles – Country legend Merle Haggard recently told the press that he likes where country music is heading and it’s heading smack dab in the direction of Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, the hard-working band who has been wowing crowds with their unique blend of rock and roll, country, roots, Southern rock, and blues punctuated by memorable energetic live shows.
The article, published in the Boot, stated, “Among Merle Haggard's favorite newbies are Hunter Hayes, Jamey Johnson and fellow icon Willie Nelson's son, Lukas Nelson." The stamp-of-approval from one of the genre’s greats comes on the heels of the release of Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real’s second full-length album, Wasted, which has been racking up rave reviews from coast the coast.
The latest praise comes from the Aquarian Weekly, which writes, “Wasted by Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real proved to be a phenomenal album. With its irrefutable energy and emotionally relatable lyrics, the CD is heartwarming and enjoyable. It contains universal ideas, such as the struggle of unrequited love, friendship, and having pride in where you come from.”
The Austin Chronicle loves the band too: "There's an identifiable vibe, not unlike the one the Band had,” while the Arizona Reporter states, “The largely female, enthusiastic crowd kept their eyes open, because Nelson's energetic stage presence is a treat.”
And now they have yet another musical offering from Nelson to write home about. The 23-year-old singer/songwriter/guitarist teamed up with his father, Willie Nelson, to contribute to several tracks on Willie’s new record, Heroes, which released May 15 on Legacy Records.
Lukas appears on 10 of the 14 tracks of the album, including such songs as Lukas’ own “Sound Of Your Memory”, “No Place To Fly” and “Every Time He Drinks He Thinks Of Her,” as well as Eddie Vedder’s “Just Breathe” and “Come On Up to the House” with Sheryl Crow (written by Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan), among others.
“It’s so great to get this chance to work with my father,” says Lukas. “I love when I get a chance to duet and sing harmony with my dad. We do sing a lot together. And, I really liked the Eddie Vedder song we did. I ran into Eddie and he said he heard it and he gave me big love and hugged me.”
Lukas and Willie have also been promoting the new record with a string of radio and television appearances, starting with an exclusive album premiere special on SiriusXM Radio on Willie’s Roadhouse channel that debuted on May 14. Check out video of the performance of “Just Breathe,” here: http://youtu.be/bausG809hv0. Spin.com notes “Lukas’ solo at the 3:14 mark is particularly nice.”
The stop at SiriusXM was followed by a live performance of Willie and Lukas, backed by Promise of the Real and Willie’s band, on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon where they performed “Just Breathe” (see video of episode here:
http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/monday-may-14-2012/1401740/#.T7K_mcn3rzY.email) and a web exclusive of “It’s Flooding Down In Texas” (see video clip here: http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/willie-nelson-its-flooding-down-in-texas-51412/1401608#.T7KrVVbb7QA.email ). And a New York Times feature with Willie and Lukas also ran on May 13, go here to read: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/arts/music/willie-nelsons-new-album-heroes-features-his-son-lukas.html
Meanwhile, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real are wrapping up for the first leg of their heavy touring schedule in support of their new record WASTED. Tour in support of The first leg runs through June 16 and then the band will turn to the festival circuit for shows in early July, another headline tour in Aug, and then to Canada touring with John Fogerty as a part of his17 show cross Canadian tour.
The Wasted Tour dates (more dates to be announced):
5/2/12, Atlanta, GA The Center Stage - Vinyl
5/3/12, Huntsville, AL AM Booth's Lumberyard
5/4/12, Columbus, MS Market Street Festival
5/5/12, Hot Springs, NC French Broad River Festival
5/7/12, Birmingham, AL Workplay Theater
5/8/12, Nashville, TN 12th & Porter
5/10/12, Wilmington, NC The Whiskey
5/11/12, Nags Head, NC Kelly's
5/12/12, Charlotte, NC Visulite Theatre
5/13/12, Charleston, SC The Pour House
5/15/12, Richmond, VA Canal Club
5/17/12, Baltimore, MD Baltimore Soundstage
5/18/12, Philadelphia, PAvThe Blockley
5/19/12, Adren, DE Arden Gild Hall
5/21/12, Vienna, VA Jammin Java
5/23/12, Burlington, VT Nectar's
5/24/12, Portland, ME Empire Dine and Dance
5/25/12, Hartford, CT Arch Street Tavern
5/30/12, Cambridge, MA Middle East - Upstairs
5/31/12, New York, NY Highline Ballroom
6/2/12, Hunter, NY Mountain Jam Festival
6/3/12, Pittsburgh, PA Hard Rock Café
6/5/12, Columbus, OH Woodlands Tavern
6/7/12, Grass Valley, CA The Center for the Arts
6/8/12, Piercy, CA Riverview Ranch
6/9/12, Santa Rosa, CA Last Day Saloon
6/12/12, St. Louis, MO Old Rock House
6/13/12, Kansas City, MO Knuckleheads
6/14/12, Benton, AR Denton's Back Porch
6/16/12, Dallas, TX Cambridge Room
7/6/12, Cavendish, PEI Cavendish, Festival
7/7/12, Cavendish, PEI Cavendish Festival
7/8/12, Ottawa, ON Ottawa Blues Festival
7/9/12, Calgary, AB Calgary Stampede
7/12/12, Lansing, MI Common Ground Festival
7/20/12, Selma, OR Gathering of the Tribes Festival
7/25/12, Seal Beach, CA Eisenhower Park
7/26/12, Fresno, CA Fulton 55
7/28/12, Los Angeles, CA Roxy Theatre
8/1/12, Big Sky, MT Town Center
8/3/12, Bond, CA Yarmony Grass Festival
8/4/12, Park City, UT Canyons Resort
8/12/12, Darrington, WA Summer Meltdown Festival
For more information:
www.promiseofthereal.com
Posts
