Full Nelson on Labor Day weekend

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

By Aaron Davis

Jackson Hole, Wyoming - Labor Day weekend means extra free time for the lucky portion of working class heroes, but for The Nelsons, it’s carpe diem. Willie Nelson and his son, Lukas, will be performing on opposite sides of the Tetons this weekend. Take your pick.

The buzz around Lukas’s last couple of performances in Teton Valley has spread like wildfire. As I stream his debut Brando Paradise Sessions EP, I am reminded of his Targhee Fest opening set in 2009. At 21 years young, he has the goods.

His voice contains a more nasally quality than Willie, but with the soul, depth and patience of his father. And his simple recipe of country-blues-rock-‘n’-roll — in maturity respects — is ahead of its time both vocally and as a guitarist.

Born in Austin and raised in Hawaii when he wasn’t on Willie’s famed Honeysuckle Rose bus, his first road trip was at five weeks old on tour with The Highwaymen (the super-group featuring Willie, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson). Not too bad of a start. And while his father played an important role in the development of the fine musician, it was Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Dylan, Ray Charles and The Band that added to the foundation.

“I am also a musician, and I write my own songs, and after all you know I’m Willie Nelson’s son, it matters what I bring to the table,” Lukas Nelson noted. “He’s one of my heroes. If I’m compared to him, it really is a compliment to the highest order. I just hope that each record is better than the last and that I’m still touring when I’m as old as my dad.”     

As for Willie, he appears on new recordings with Norah Jones and Asleep at the Wheel, and his tour schedule is as rigorous as ever. What impresses me the most is his stripped-down band in which he’s the only guitarist — his sister Bobbie on piano, Bee Spears on bass, Mickey Raphael on harmonica and a tandem of Paul and Billy English on a single snare drum.

Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real will perform at 9 p.m., Thursday in the Trap Bar at Grand Targhee Resort ($5 with the purchase of a Friday ticket), and at 5:30 p.m. on Friday on the Grand Targhee outdoor stage supporting The Meat Puppets ($20). The Tie Hacks will also open. Ken Dolman plays in the Main Plaza at 4 p.m. The Salamanders play afterwards in the Trap Bar at 11 p.m. (free). Tickets at GrandTarghee.com, Habitat in Driggs, or Tobacco Row in Jackson. JHW

Willie Nelson will perform at 7 p.m., Saturday at Snow King. Chuck Mead (formerly of BR549) opens. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. All ages. $45 at Tobacco Row, Global Treasures and TicketFly.com.

Photo: Lukas Nelson and his father, Willie (not shown), rock the Teton valleys this weekend by COURTESY CHRIS JOHNSON OF SHOCK INK.

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Full Nelson on Labor Day weekend | Planet JH News Article: Music Box

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