Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real

Lukas Nelson
Lukas Nelson performing at Farm Aid, 2009
Background information
Also known as	POTR
Origin	Venice, Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	Rock
Years active	2008–present
Labels	Tone Tide Records
Associated acts	Willie Nelson BB King John Fogerty Grace Potter and The Nocturnals Neil Young
Website	http://www.promiseofthereal.com
Members	Lukas Nelson Anthony Logerfo Tato Melgar Corey McCormick

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real – sometimes referred to as POTR – is an American rock group based in California. The band consists of Lukas Nelson (vocals/guitar), Anthony Logerfo (drums), Corey McCormick (bass), and Tato Melgar (percussion). Lukas is the son of Willie Nelson.

The band backed Canadian musician Neil Young on his thirty-sixth studio album, The Monsanto Years, and the tour which followed.

Lukas Autry Nelson moved from Paia, Hawaii to Los Angeles in 2007 to attend Loyola Marymount University. In early 2008, Lukas met drummer Anthony LoGerfo at a Neil Young concert. Shortly after, the two began playing music together in Seal Beach, California.

In October 2008 Lukas dropped out of college to pursue his music career full-time. Lukas called Anthony Logerfo (drummer), Tato Melgar (percussionist), Merlyn Kelly (bassist), and formed Promise of the Real.

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 famed “Belly Up” venue in Solana Beach, California.

In January 2009, the band began a nine-show tour opening for Willie Nelson including a five night stop at The Fillmore in San Francisco. Next was a two-week tour with B.B. King through Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and Nebraska. Before the tours ended the band had sold all its “Live Beginnings” CDs.

In April 2009 Promise of the Real released its first self-released studio recording, Brando’s Paradise Sessions. The EP's 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 full-time bass player in 2010. McCormick had performed with Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and other bands.