Lukas Nelson on competing for a Grammy against his famous dad

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Lukas Nelson is sitting on his tour bus behind the Fonda Theatre on a recent evening as he awaits a takeout bag with dinner inside it.In a few hours, the 36-year-old singer and songwriter will take the stage for a show behind this year’s “American Romance,” his first solo LP after a decade and a half fronting his band Promise of the Real.It’s a handsome and philosophical set of tunes about life, love and the endless road that Nelson cut just about a mile away from the Fonda at Hollywood’s Sunset Sound.

And now it’s nominated for a Grammy Award in the traditional country album category.“American Romance” was a family-ish affair: Nelson, whose father is Willie Nelson, made it with his old friend Shooter Jennings, whose father was Willie’s frequent collaborator Waylon Jennings.Which makes it all the more amusing that Lukas’ record is nominated against Willie’s “Oh What a Beautiful World” for that Grammy.“‘Against’ is a strong word,” Lukas says.

Dressed in jeans, a T-shirt and a white ballcap emblazoned with the Texas flag, he grins as he leans over a small dining table.“‘Alongside’ is better.

I mean, the Nelsons have a 40% chance of winning, which is pretty good.”According to Jennings, “American Romance” shows off the “crazy lyrical depth” of Lukas’ songwriting.“I compare my stuff to his, and I’m like a little kid with toy blocks,” says the musician and producer, who’s also nominated against himself at the Grammys with a second traditional country album nod for “Dollar a Day” by Charley Crockett.

Adds Jennings with a laugh: “I think I might have to vote for Willie.”Why’d you cut your hair?Lukas Nelson: I was exercising a lot, and it was in my face all the time, getting all knotted up.There was nothing symbolic about it — I just said, ‘F— it,’ and I cut it.OK, but Longhaired Guy was your vibe for a long...