When Lukas Nelson was a preteen, he once asked his father, the iconic Willie Nelson, what he would like for his birthday. Willie’s response was simple: he wanted Lukas to play the guitar. Lukas agreed, and soon discovered a deep passion for the instrument.
Now 35, Lukas tours internationally, impressing audiences with his guitar prowess and a singing voice he once joked sounded like he’d “inhaled helium.” Initially unsure about his vocal abilities, Lukas has since developed a strong sense of confidence, learning to bring greater depth and emotion to his performances. As one of Willie Nelson’s eight children, Lukas began his musical journey performing alongside his father, but eventually branched out to establish his own career. He achieved a major milestone in 2020, winning a Grammy for his contributions to the film A Star is Born-where he not only wrote and co-produced songs, but also appeared onscreen and coached Bradley Cooper on singing. Remarkably, Willie Nelson also took home a Grammy that same night, marking a rare moment of father and son both being honored.
Throughout his career, Lukas has worked with renowned artists such as Lady Gaga and Neil Young, blending the influence of his famous father with his own musical heroes from blues and rock. While he values making his father proud, Lukas says his music is now driven by his own creative spirit. When he performs “Always On My Mind,” the special connection between father and son is unmistakable-a heartfelt continuation of Willie Nelson’s musical legacy.