Lukas Nelson, Songwriter and Guitarist: Not Just Willie Nelson's Son

I was thrilled to win a couple of tickets to last Thursday night's Lukas Nelson concert in Seattle, compliments of Marlee Walker, Blues-To-Do host http://www.bluestodo.com/ Things got off to a rocky start when we showed up at the Showbox at the Market, however, and found a sign posted on the door saying the show had been moved to the Showbox Sodo, a couple of miles away. Off we rushed, none too happy about the expensive parking fees we'd just shelled out--not to mention the last-minute hustle and consequent late arrival.

But all of that was forgotten when we arrived and were quickly given free drinks for our inconvenience. The bar area was packed with a small but appreciative crowd--apparently not enough tickets were sold to fill the Showbox at the Market, but the fans were enthusiastic nevertheless. We snagged the last table in the place, and enjoyed the opening band, the Reflectacles. They were a great up-and-coming folk rock group out of L.A--talented musicians, each one playing barefoot onstage.

Next came the headliners, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real. Apparently Lukas (pictured) is the sixth son of Willie Nelson's fourth wife, and he grew up surrounded by music, playing onstage at an early age with his father, Willie, and the likes of Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings. He's also jammed onstage with many other rock and blues notable too numerous to list here, and his music has been influenced by many, including Jimi Hendrix.

And while the 22-year old guitarist and songwriter could probably coast on his father's coattails, when he began to play it was obvious that he was a talent in his own right. He played a great electric guitar (also in barefeet), and his voice was melodic and full of expression--you could definitely hear a little of his father Willie's mournful tone in there, yet it was also uniquely his own voice. His band was great, too, and I have a feeling if they're this good now, they'll be great some day. "Four Letter Word," from the album "Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real," was nice, as was "Hootchie Kootchie Man," where Lukas played the guitar solo with his teeth (no doubt channeling Hendrix).

After this excellent performance, there remains no doubt that Lukas Nelson is much more than just Willie's son--though Willie might contribute a song or vocal or two to his son's efforts now and then. http://www.promiseofthereal.com/