Too scared to fly: Sam Nelson’s musical odyssey to his legendary father

Rick Nelson gently pets family dog Byron, a sweet boy sort of a cross between a mutt and sheep dog, in a shot used for the gatefold package of the “Windfall” album, released on January 14, 1974. The 33-year-old “Don’t Leave Me Here” singer was at the height of his artistic powers at the time. Photography by John Longenecker / Universal Music Group / Courtesy of Sheree Homer

Though “Hello Mary Lou” hit recording artist Rick Nelson preferred not to share family matters with his band members, John Beland, Nelson’s lead guitarist from 1978 through 1980 who is forever preserved on video accompanying him during an unforgettable Saturday Night Live hosting stint, candidly revealed in Philip Bashe’s Teenage Idol, Travelin’ Man: The Complete Biography of Rick Nelson that there was one exception to the rule. “He always talked about Sam a lot,” said Beland. “Rick really loved his other kids, but he had a special fondness for Sam.”

For the anniversary of his father’s disturbing December 31, 1985, death aboard a supposedly invulnerable World War II-era DC-3 that actually landed in northeast Texas — albeit engulfed in sweltering flames due to a problematic heater — the youngest Nelson offspring granted a wide-ranging interview covering an at times painful, confusing childhood spent between two warring parents entrenched in a never-ending divorce.

The sensitive, musically gifted six-year-old was placed in the custody of maternal grandparents Tom and Elyse Harmon because of mother Kris Harmon Nelson’s then-alcohol abuse and wildly unpredictable behavior. A mere five years later Sam’s infrequent visits with his perpetually touring father — it really made no difference how much Rick was on the road as contact with his son was restricted in the unfair terms of the divorce — disintegrated forever.

Sam wisely eschewed his family’s celebrity status and became his own man — something that would have definitely pleased his dad immensely — earning a psychology degree and a minor in film from Boston College. He gained invaluable music biz experience interning for MCA Records on an administrative level and working in A&R for Capitol’s legacy division. Since the new millennium Sam has been best known as lead vocalist-songwriter for L.A. based alternative rockers H is Orange and manager of grandparents Ozzie and Harriet Nelson’s estate, a treasure trove of unseen concert video and other precious memorabilia.

Encouraged mightily by fans, the web designer never felt comfortable capitalizing on his dad’s richly varied discography until Pop Songs: Tribute to Rick Nelson, a lovingly crafted nine-song EP released to coincide with…