Watch Willie Nelson’s Son Cover “Sunday Morning Coming Down” in Honor of Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash

Last week, country singer Lukas Nelson took to TikTok to post a video performance of “Sunday Morning Coming Down” by Kris Kristofferson. He didn’t kick off the cover alone, either. Musicians Ben Chapman, Meg McRee, Dee White, and Brian Murray joined the famous son of Willie Nelson for the cover in what appears to be his backyard, bathed in sunlight. You can watch the video below:

@lukasnelsonmusic

Well I woke up Sunday morning… “Sunday Morning Coming Down” with @Ben Chapman, @Meg McRee, @Dee White, and Brian Murray! @Johnny Cash #sundaymorningcomingdown #johnnycash

♬ original sound – Lukas Nelson

It’s a beautiful cover, and it came just a little over a week after the late great Kris Kristofferson passed away on September 28 at the age of 88. Fans took to the comments section of the TikTok to praise Lukas and company’s rendition and also to praise the contributions that Kristofferson made to country music.

“You do this song the justice it deserves,” said one fan. “Powerful stuff for a life well lived for better or worse.”

“Mourning with ya Luke,” said another. “Kris got me through some rough times.”

“Sunday Morning Coming Down” was written by Kristofferson in 1969, though it was initially recorded by Ray Stevens. Fellow country star and Highwaymen member Johnny Cash recorded the song a year later, and it became a no. 1 hit for the outlaw country star.

Kristofferson once said that this particular song “opened up a whole lot of doors” for him and allowed him to quit his day job to become a professional musician.

Lukas Nelson’s Relationship With Kris Kristofferson

Lukas Nelson is the son of Willie Nelson, an artist who was (and still is, honestly) a major figure in the outlaw country music scene. He was also a member of the supergroup The Highwaymen with Kristofferson and a dear friend of the late musician.

Naturally, Lukas Nelson grew up around Kristofferson. According to Lukas, Kristofferson even inspired him to pursue a music career. In a Facebook post from a few years back, Lukas shared a story from his childhood. He said that he had shown Kristofferson a song he had written but had little confidence in. After all, when your dad is Willie Nelson, the standards are obviously different.

Luckily, Kristofferson saw the potential in Lukas. He told him that he was “gonna be a songwriter.” When Lukas protested, Kristofferson simply said “You don’t have a choice!” This inspired Lukas to continue on, and we’re sure he’s having a rough time dealing with the loss of Kristofferson. We wish his family and friends nothing but the best.

Photo by Gary Miller/FilmMagic

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