When your dad is one of the biggest and most respected legends in country music, it's hard to not want to follow closely in his footsteps. For Lukas Nelson and his famous pops, Willie Nelson, it is no exception. Young Nelson picked up his first guitar early in life after his father said that would be the best birthday present he could get from his son.

As Nelson continued to pursue music, he formed his own band, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real. The amount of respect that the 22-year-old Nelson has for his father can be seen from miles away, and he hopes to only continue on in life and music just as his dad has done for decades.

"I like the way he is with people," Lukas Nelson tells Taste of Country about his dad. "He treats people really well, and I try to follow that. My dad always led by example. He never told me not to do anything that he did. He was never a hypocrite. If he said something and said don’t do it, it's because he doesn't do it or he used to do it, and now there's a reason that he doesn't. I really respect that. It's been the best teacher for me. Everyone learns differently. Maybe some people need people to yell at them and stuff, but for me, I never wanted to disappoint him because I admired the way he carried himself so well that I wanted to be like him. That's how I want to be with my kids. I want to live my life the way I would want them to live theirs. I know they are looking at me and seeing me as their father."

Stay tuned to Taste of Country for a full interview with Lukas Nelson, and find him and the Promise of the Real on tour this summer with his dad on the 2011 Country Throwdown Tour. Click here for a complete list of dates where the tour will be stopping.

Watch Lukas and Willie Nelson Perform 'It's Flooding Down in Texas' Live

More From Taste of Country