In 2017, Willie Nelson and his sons, Lukas and Micah, were featured in a Rolling Stone mini-documentary titled Willie and the Boys, which explored their family dynamic, growing up on tour, and performing together. The documentary coincided with the release of their album Willie Nelson and the Boys (Willie’s Stash, Vol. 2), a collection of classic country songs, many by Hank Williams, Cochran, Locklin, and Snow, which Willie played for his kids when they were young.
In the documentary, Willie reflects on his life on the road and admits he worried about not being a great father due to his constant touring, saying, “I’ve been gone most of the time… They had their mother there, and I wasn’t there.” However, his sons, Lukas and Micah, along with their mother, Annie D’Angelo, counter this, emphasizing the positive influence of performing with their father. Lukas, frontman of Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, and Micah, who performs as Particle Kid, discuss how being on stage with Willie inspired their own musical careers. Lukas describes it as “inspiring,” noting that seeing his father perform gave him confidence to pursue music, while Micah recalls the creative freedom of their upbringing.
A highlight is their performance of “Can I Sleep in Your Arms” on Willie’s tour bus, Honeysuckle Rose, showcasing their tight vocal harmonies, which brought Annie to tears. Willie calls playing with his sons “as good as it gets.” The documentary also touches on family rules, childhood anecdotes (like the boys getting in trouble for sharing Willie’s dirty jokes at school), and their musical heritage, including Willie’s sister Bobbie, a pianist who played with him for decades.
The album and documentary emphasize traditional country, with Willie comparing it to his 1978 standards album Stardust. Lukas and Micah opened for Willie on the 2016 Outlaw Music Festival tour, and their performances, like “Everything is Bullshit” and “Die When I’m High (Halfway to Heaven),” have become fan favorites at events like Farm Aid and Outlaw Fest. Their collaboration continued, with both sons featured on The Willie Nelson Family (2021) album and performing at Willie’s 90th birthday concert in 2023 at the Hollywood Bowl.
If you’re looking for specific details or want to dive deeper into a particular aspect, let me know! You can also watch the documentary on YouTube or check Rolling Stone’s coverage for more