Kris Kristofferson’s Blunt Words of Wisdom That Influenced Willie Nelson’s Son To Follow in His Dad’s Footsteps

The country music world is a long, old thread of creative and family connections. And this particular connection between Willie Nelson’s son, Lukas Nelson, and famed singer/songwriter Kris Kristofferson is quite heartwarming.

Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson have been good friends as well as collaborators for quite a while. Naturally, Willie’s son Lukas grew up seeing Kristofferson often around his home and on the road with his father. A few years ago, Lukas even paid tribute to the “For The Good Times” hitmaker on Facebook with a heartwarming post.

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In the post, Lukas said that when he was very young, Kristofferson overheard a song that Lukas had written. After hearing it, he told Lukas that he was going to be a songwriter. When Lukas said he wasn’t so sure, Kristofferson told him that he didn’t “have a choice” in the matter.

Today, Lukas is an accomplished singer/songwriter. He tours regularly with his father and has found quite a bit of success with his band, Lukas Nelson And Promise Of The Real. When Willie had to sit out a few shows at the start of his Outlaw Music Festival Tour in 2024, Lukas stepped in and covered a number of Willie Nelson classics quite beautifully, garnering a bit more attention from country fans.

[See Lukas Nelson And Promise Of The Real Live In Concert]

Lukas has also covered some of Kristofferson’s music. Back in 2022, he delivered a beautiful rendition of the Kristofferson classic “Help Me Make It Through The Night”.

Sometimes, a mentor is all you need to get the necessary push to live your dreams. Lukas may have followed in his father Willie Nelson’s footsteps. But would he still have pursued music with the success he’s seen without that enigmatic statement of “you don’t have a choice” from Kris Kristofferson? Who knows! Either way, Kristofferson clearly influenced Lukas quite a bit.

What Is Kris Kristofferson Doing Now?

Kristofferson is retired and has been since 2021. His last performance before retiring took place at the Sunrise Theatre in Fort Pierce, Florida in February of 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic began. His last official studio release was The Cedar Creek Sessions in 2016.

Kristofferson was once part of a country supergroup called The Highwaymen with Willie Nelson, along with Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. He is still considered one of the pioneers of outlaw country music.

Photo by Rick Diamond

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