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Lukas Nelson at Austin City Limits 2017

Lukas Nelson

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

Interview
Lukas Nelson: New Album, Lady Gaga Cover lukas-nelson-talks-new-album-learning-willie-nelson-neil-young

Lukas Nelson Talks New Album, Learning From Willie Nelson, Neil Young

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The son of legendary Willie Nelson and frontman for the Promise Of The Real is doing things his own way even as he follows in his father's footsteps and rubs elbows with musical giants
Brian Haack
GRAMMYs
Oct 6, 2017 - 3:37 pm

Lukas Nelson & The Promise Of The Real have quietly made a big name for themselves in the nearly 10 years since they first started playing together.

Lukas Nelson On “Find Yourself,” Lady Gaga

Inspired by the sounds of Jimi Hendrix and Neil Young, they've spent several years as Young's touring band while also releasing several studio albums independently. This past August marks their first self-titled label debut.

We caught up with Nelson backstage at Austin City Limits to discuss his new album, what Young does on his days off and what he learned about touring from his father, the legendary Willie Nelson.

You've just released your new self-titled album this past August. You've been recording and touring together for many years at this point, so I'm curious: Was there a particular aspect of this new record that speaks to your band and your sound — something that said, "This is what we're about, this record is us" — and if so, what was it?
It definitely encompasses everything that the band is all about, and I feel like it showcases a lot of the versatility of what the band is. So I feel like this shows what we really are, and it's also the first major release that the band has put out — all the previous releases were independent and spread mostly through word of mouth. This marks the beginning of Promise Of The Real's journey into a more international, and hopefully more widely heard, setting

You've got some great collaborations with Lucius on the new record — how long have you all known each other?
Lucius and I met at Desert Trip in Indio. They play with Roger Waters, and we play with Neil. So we were doing our thing, and we got to hang out with them backstage and became friends, and now we're really close.

You spent some years recording and touring with Neil Young, an artist who's obviously also a big formative influence for you. First off — did you ever think when you were a kid that touring with Neil was something you'd be doing someday? And secondly, what type of shenanigans is Neil Young up to on dayss off at this point in his career?
Well, to answer your first question: Only in my dreams did I ever think of something like that. And then a day off with Neil is great. He does Pilates, he takes good care of himself. We actually have a truck that goes out with us on the road that has a Pilates gym in it. So he has an instructor come out, so we'll do that during the day or we'll go on ride bikes. I'll try to find a golf course somewhere and play golf, or go swimming. I've got my skateboard, I like to do that. With Neil — he's a regular guy, you know? He's a really good guy — he's funny! He's really funny.  We'll go to dinner sometimes and just explore the town we're in.

Are you a street skater or a long-boarder?
Both, actually. I grew up surfing and then skateboarding. I built a mini-ramp in my backyard, and I'd go to skate parks wherever I could find them. Then I started trying more intense things, and getting hurt and then being on the road at the same time, it just wasn't really fitting. So now I tend to just cruise, and maybe I'll make sure I can still kickflip or make sure I can still do all the things I used to love to do.

When you started your career in music, did your father give you any sage advice or touring tips, or did he let you go off into the world to sort things out on your own?
He more led by example, you know? I just watched the way he does it, and the balance he keeps on the road of taking care of himself and keeping the right people around himself. That's the main thing really.

Are you a reader? What's the last great book you read?
I like to read a lot actually. The last great book I read was Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins. It's a really great book.

Do you remember your first guitar? The first song you learned to play?
Yeah! I had a Rain Song acoustic, and then I had a Fender electric. And "The Star Spangled Banner" was the first song I learned how to play.

Can you choose a song of the album and tell us the story of how it was written or what inspired it?
"Find Yourself" — it's a song about taking your power back. I remember when I wrote it I was really feeling it when I wrote it, and it's just taken on a life of its own. Lady Gaga, my friend, sang on it. She kind of turned it into a universal relationship song. Having that female balance there, it was really nice, and she just kills it. "I hope you find yourself/Before I find somebody else/To be my love." It's kind of a universal concept, and a really fun one to play live. They all sing along.

Welcome To Austin: Preparing For 2017 ACL Music Festival

Willie Nelson performs in 2005

Willie Nelson performs in 2005

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

News
Farm Aid 2017 keeps growing an American tradition farm-aid-2017-american-tradition-keeps-growing

Farm Aid 2017: An American tradition keeps growing

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A charity, a tradition and a movement, Farm Aid returns in September to help family farms raise good food for all of us
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jun 15, 2017 - 10:12 am

Presale tickets became available on June 13 for Farm Aid 2017, a concert that proves idealism can persist with determined voices like founding board members Willie Nelson and Neil Young to fight for it.

In reference to the festival's return to Burgettstown, Pa., outside Pittsburgh, which previously hosted Farm Aid 2002, Nelson said, "What's happening in western Pennsylvania and the region shows us that we can count on family farmers to strengthen our communities and connect people. Whether we live in rural or urban places, food — and music — brings us all together."

Farm Aid has raised more than $50 million since it began in 1985, a crystal grown from remarks made onstage earlier that year by Bob Dylan at Bob Geldof's Live Aid, hoping some of the event's funds could help "pay the mortgages on some of the farms."

"It's the longest running charity of its kind in the world," said founding board member John Mellencamp, who will be performing with fellow board member Dave Matthews. This year's guest lineup also includes Sheryl Crow, who played Farm Aid 2003, joined by headliners the Avett Brothers and Jack Johnson as well as GRAMMY nominee Jamey Johnson.

The organization boasting, "Great music, supporting farmers and strengthening America since 1985," took grit to build. Read more about how this fall's crop of artists came together at Rolling Stone.

See Farm Aid 2017 performer Sheryl Crow's interview at the GRAMMY Museum

A thanksgiving dinner table

Photo: Nathan Benn/Getty Images

Interview
What's The Best Thanksgiving Side Dish? best-thanksgiving-sides-7-musicians-weigh

Best Thanksgiving Sides? 7 Musicians Weigh In

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From mashed potatoes and gravy to "amazing" family dressing recipes and a six-bean "salad thing," a group of artists name-check their favorite Thanksgiving sides
Brian Haack
GRAMMYs
Nov 22, 2017 - 2:54 pm

Aside from "Who's going to win a 2020 GRAMMY?" — it's the big burning question that is no doubt on the lips of everyone around the country right about now:

"What is the No. 1 favorite, must-have, cannot-go-without Thanksgiving side dish?" (And no, turkey doesn't count!)

What's The Best Side Dish For Thanksgiving?

From Grace VanderWaal and Joseph to Caitlyn Smith and Devin Dawson, seven artists weigh in – their answers may surprise you. (Or maybe not.)

Happy Thanksgiving from the Recording Academy!

Black Friday Holiday Shopping: 15 Gifts For Music Lovers

Vinyl records in a store

Photo: Ulrich Baumgarten/Getty Images

News
11 Black Friday RSD Exclusives To Look Out For record-store-day-black-friday-exclusives-aretha-franklin-paul-mccartney-more

Record Store Day Black Friday Exclusives: Aretha Franklin, Paul McCartney & More

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Spanning LPs to limited-edition singles, take a look at 11 exclusives featuring GRAMMY winners that are worth a trip to the local record store on Friday
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Nov 22, 2017 - 9:01 am

For vinyl fans, Black Friday Record Store Day is akin to an early Christmas. 

Whether releasing first-time run vinyl LPs, new EPs or limited-edition singles, a variety of artists are joining in the exclusive fun in 2017, including Snoop Dogg, Anthrax, Black Label Society, Gorillaz, Eric Church, and Rush. 

Take a look at the full list and see below for 11 RSD vinyl exclusives featuring GRAMMY winners that are worth looking out for:

  • Dan Auerbach/Sonny Smith/Robert Finley, Good Sound Comes Back Around Vol. 1 (EP)
  • Chet Atkins, "Guitar Blues/Brown Eyes A Cryin' In The Rain" (7" vinyl)
  • Gary Clark Jr., "Come Together" (12" vinyl)
  • Danger Mouse feat. Run The Jewels and Big Boi, "Chase Me"
  • Aretha Franklin with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, "Respect / Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)" (7" vinyl)
  • Ziggy Marley, Love Is My Religion (LP)
  • Paul McCartney feat. the Roots, "Wonderful Christmastime" w/ B-side: Norah Jones, "Peace" (7" vinyl, red version)
    Note: A green version is also available
  • Wes Montgomery, In Paris: The Definitive O.R.T.F. (LP) 
  • Willie Nelson, Yesterday's Wine (LP)
  • U2, The Blackout (LP)
  • Neil Young, Harvest Moon (Double LP)

Black Friday Holiday Shopping 2017: 15 Gifts For Music Lovers

Caitlyn Smith at ACL 2017

Caitlyn Smith

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

Interview
Interview: Caitlyn Smith On "Starfire" caitlyn-smith-talks-starfire-ep-songwriting-heroes

Caitlyn Smith Talks 'Starfire' EP, Songwriting Heroes

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The successful songwriter-turned-solo artist reveals her favorite track from her 2016 'Starfire' EP, and dishes on her biggest songwriting heroes
Brian Haack
GRAMMYs
Oct 12, 2017 - 6:53 pm

Having fostered a budding career writing hit songs for some of the biggest artists in music – names like Meghan Trainor and John Legend, Kenny Rogers, and Dolly Parton – Caitlyn Smith is ready to take on the world, on her own terms.

Caitlyn Smith On "Starfire": "It's My Anthem"

A year after her top-20 charting Starfire EP (Billboard Americana/Folk Albums) showed enough promise to make Smith one of the first marquee signings to Sony's newly-reformed Monument Records, Smith is making ready to service the title track from her 2016 EP to radio and streaming services, and is making plans to release her debut full-length album in January of next year.

Smith sat down with the Recording Academy to chat about her forthcoming LP, the journey that's brought her to the stage as a solo artist, and the musical heroes who've inspired her to create her best work.

Pick your favorite song off the Starfire EP and tell us a little bit about its story of its writing and its inspiration.
One of my favorite songs on the Starfire EP is the single "Starfire." It really is my theme song. I've been in Nashville for years writing songs for other people and have also, in a way been trying to pave my own way as an artist, trying to figure out what I want to say. Through that journey, there have been a lot of closed doors and a lot of heartache, and "Starfire" is my anthem to never give up continuing to shine my light and just tune out all of the negative voices and keep going. To me, it's just my favorite song.

You said there've been a lot of closed doors and heartache. Can you point to a moment where you knew without a doubt that things were going to move ahead and that you were going to succeed?
I think it comes in waves. Sometimes I'll be having a rough time, and I'll have a song get cut and things will look up or I'll get a gig, and I'll be like, "Okay, here we go. We're going to focus back in and keep trying." I wouldn't say there was one shining moment that's like, "You need to keep going." For an artist, it's up and down, and it's actually like a continual feeling of, "Phew, can I keep running this marathon?" And my husband has been such an incredible lighthouse on my journey to help to keep pushing forward and looking forward.

You have written for some really huge artists, and had great success in that realm. Rolling Stone called you "one of the 10 country artists you need to know." You're one of the first big signings for the reformed Monument Records, and you've got a new full length coming out this year. Two questions, are you ready to share the title and release date? And what's next for Caitlyn Smith?
I'm very excited. The single "Starfire" will be out later this month, and then the full record will be released in January. I can't say the date yet, but I cannot wait. 2018 is shaping up to be quite a fun year!

We'll be watching closely. I've read that you said you knew before graduating high school that music was what you wanted to do for the rest of your life. Was it difficult making that decision at such a young age? What was it like?
I always knew, from when I was a little kid and started singing, that music was what I wanted to do in some capacity. When I was in middle school, I put together a band with some of my friends and was cold-calling venues. It was something that was a passion of mine at a young age, and it continued to grow. I made my first record. Then my parents sat me down with my college fund, and they're like, "Here, we have this for you, but, if you want use it to make a record, pay us back, but here you go."

And so I went and made a record at 15, and that really was a turning point of putting my sights on what I really, really wanted to do. And so I made a couple records in high school, and I just knew before graduating. I was like, "Hey, you know, I'm not going to college for this. I'm just going to gig, and see what happens." So, it was a little bit of a leap of faith, but I think it's working out. Yay! (laughs)

Clearly, it was the right move. So when it comes to songwriting, who would you point to as your greatest hero?
I consider myself a student of songs and listen to all kinds of genres, but some of my top favorites are Patty Griffin, Carole King, Ray LaMontagne, and Paul Simon. I mean I could just keep listing on and on and on. I love songs. (laughs)

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Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.