picking up Tato Melgar (percussionist), and Merlyn Kelly (bassist)[3] According to Nelson, the band name was inspired by the lyric "Some get stoned, some get strange, but sooner or later it all gets real", from Young's song "Walk On".
Nelson explained in the 2019 interview, "That concept of realness is sort of a Taoist statement: It's not bad, it's not good.
"[4] Their initial touring was supported by sales of their EP, Live Beginnings, recorded in 2008 at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, California.
[5] 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, California.
The album consists of twelve tracks, three of which are covers: "Peaceful Solution" (Willie Nelson), "Pali Gap/Hey Baby" (Jimi Hendrix) and "L.A." (Neil Young).
Neil Young has greatly influenced them, in both their music style and production values and at his urging, sessions being recorded in analog.
[15] The band completed their 2014 tour and moved into an old Victorian mansion, the William Westerfeld House, a historic landmark in San Francisco, California.
[16] After they completed the sessions at the mansion they delayed releasing a new album until 2016 in order to pursue a venture with their rocker idol, Neil Young.
With the exception of two tracks, Nelson wrote all the music, and Neil Young appears as a guest vocalist.
Lukas and Promise of the Real were regularly appearing at the event by 2009, the year Young remarked to them "I heard you guys earlier, I liked it.
[21] After an April 2015 concert with Young in San Luis Obispo, they accompanied him on his Rebel Content Tour to promote the new album.
It was recorded during the Rebel Content Tour in 2015 and featured live performances augmented by studio overdubs and nature and animal sounds.
They continued working with Neil Young, recording another album, titled The Visitor, released December 1, 2017.
In 2019, they embarked on their second European tour with Young and backed him as he co-headlined with Bob Dylan at an historic event at London’s Hyde Park[23] performing before an audience of over 65,000.
[24] The live album, Noise & Flowers, selected songs from Young's tour of Europe in 2019, was released on August 5, 2022.
"[26] Young was a mentor for the band, sharing wisdom and influencing everything from their production techniques to their distinctive stage presence.
[32] In August 2017, the self-titled album Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real was released as their debut under Fantasy Records.
Lady Gaga appeared on two tracks ("Find Yourself" and "Carolina"), and the indie-pop group Lucius provided backing vocals.
Austin City Limits wrote that the album was "a mesmerizing, emotionally genuine, endlessly rewarding slice of cosmic country soul".
2), a family collaboration showcasing Willie, Lukas, and Micah performing a selection of American country music classics, including seven penned by Hank Williams, Sr.[51]