LIVING LARGE WITH LYLE LOVETT

Lyle Lovett and his aptly named Large Band are coming to Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts and we can’t wait. He has long been acclaimed for his cleverly crafted lyrics, witty banter, soulful style and ability to perform country, blues, gospel and other American grown genres with subtle sophistication.

One of the most distinctive and original singer/songwriters to emerge onto the 80’s music scene, his country roots didn’t quite fit his eclectic style. Classifying the type of music Lovett plays is nearly impossible. Though the genre is considered country, he incorporates jazz, blues and big band sound to tell his quirky stories through his music. Sam Hurwitt of Salon writes, “Lyle Lovett has for the last decade had the dubious honor of being a country singer for people who hate country music. “Well then,” it’s tempting to reply, “he can’t really be country.” Ah, but he is –not the gaudy Nashville sort, but a simpler, down-home kind, with educated forays into jazz and gospel and talking blues. He sings of the same heartache and simple dreams that lie at the soul of the music, but in more reflective, eloquent terms.” 

(http://www.salon.com/1996/06/24/music960624/) 

Courtesy of flickr.com

Lyle Lovett is well-known for being one of the few artists who creates all his own material, both melodies and lyrics. The stories he recounts through his music has earned him a cult following along the same lines as 70’s singers like Randy Newman and Guy Clark. Sam Hurwitt of Salon eloquently states, “Perhaps more than the music (but not by a lot), Lovett’s appeal lies in the poetry of his lyrics, which are as powerful as ever. He weaves together common images and sentiments, creating a tapestry that may be sad or funny, but always hits home, and hits deep.” (http://www.salon.com/1996/06/24/music960624/)

In an NPR interview with Bob Edwards, Lovett states that his inspiration for “If I had a boat” is a true story. He claims he tried to ride a pony across a pond and wished he had a boat. The lyrics to “I wish I had a boat” showcase Lovett’s wry and offbeat sense of humor. (http:/www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2001/dec/lovett/011204.lyle.lovett.html)

“If I Had A Boat”

And if I had a boat
I'd go out on the ocean
And if I had a pony
I'd ride him on my boat
And we could all together
Go out on the ocean
I said me upon my pony on my boat

If I were Roy Rogers
I'd sure enough be single
I couldn't bring myself to marrying old Dale
It'd just be me and Trigger
We'd go ridin' through them movies
Then we'd buy a boat and on the sea we'd sail

And if I had a boat
I'd go out on the ocean
And if I had a pony
I'd ride him on my boat
And we could all together
Go out on the ocean
I said me upon my pony on my boat

Now the mystery masked man was smart
He got himself a Tonto
'Cause Tonto did the dirty work for free
But Tonto he was smarter
And one day said kemo sabe
Kiss my ass I bought a boat
I'm going out to sea

And if I had a boat
I'd go out on the ocean
And if I had a pony
I'd ride him on my boat
And we could all together
Go out on the ocean
Me upon my pony on my boat

And if I were like lightning
I wouldn't need no sneakers
Well I'd come and go whenever I would please
And I'd scare 'em by the shade tree
And I'd scare 'em by the light pole
But I would not scare my pony on my boat out on the sea

And if I had a boat
I'd go out on the ocean
And if I had a pony
I'd ride him on my boat
And we could all together
Go out on the ocean

I said me upon my pony on my boat, I said me upon my pony on my boat

THE BEGINNINGS 

Courtesy of flickr.com

Lovett was an only child born to Bill and Bernell Lovett in 1957. Raised on a horse farm in Klein, Texas, a town named after his grandfather, he spent his time pursuing his passions; which at the time were motorcycles and guitar. He raced competitively as a youth and shared his passion with his father. All through high school, he worked at Cycle Shack, a local motorcycle shop where he did everything from working the parts counter to cleaning the bathrooms. He still races motorcycles today and recently narrated the documentary, “Penton: The John Penton Story.” In an interview with Cycle World Magazine, Lovett explained how he got involved with the project. “Mark Blackwell [AMA Hall-of-Famer and retired industry executive] asked me if I was interested in being a part of it. I said yes immediately because I’m a fan, and because of my whole history with the Penton motorcycle.” (http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/06/23/lyle-lovett-interview-about-his-participation-in-new-documentary-movie-about-john-penton-and-his-motorcycles/)

Lovett did not pursue his music career until he studied at Texas A & M in the 70’s while he studied Journalism and German. He began writing songs and performing covers and original music in local coffee houses and folk festivals. Lovett continued his studies in Germany as a graduate student and continued to write and perform his original music.

BACK IN THE STATES

Lovett didn’t actively pursue his music career until he returned to the States in 1983. He continued to play clubs throughout Texas and was beginning to get a following. A year later, folk and country singer, Nancy Griffith, covered his song, “If I Were the Woman You Wanted” on her “Once in a Very Blue Moon” album. Lovett sang on that album and that year, Guy Clark, a country singer/songwriter, heard his demo tape and passed it along to Tony Brown of MCA records. Lovett signed with MCA in 1986.

THE DEBUT AND BEYOND 

Courtesy of flickr.com

Lovett’s self-titled debut album, met with critical acclaim and five of the albums songs reached the country top 40. His second album, “Pontiac,” revealed his eclectic style and expanded his audiences to crossover pop and rock genres. As his popularity grew with mainstream audiences, his country following began to wane.

Lovett’s third album, “Lyle Lovett and His Large Band,” won a Grammy Award in 1989 for best male country vocal performance. His crossover reputation grew, but the foundation was rooted in country.

Lovett recorded a total of 14 albums, 25 singles and won four Grammy Awards over the course of his exemplary career. He gained a different kind of notoriety when he eloped with Julia Roberts, whom he met on the set of the Robert Altman film, “The Player.” They divorced two years later.

Lovett continues to write music and perform worldwide. His last studio album, “Release Me,” was released in February 2012

Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts is thrilled to announce the arrival of Lyle Lovett and his Large Band on August 20, 2015 at 7:30 PM. It promises to be an exciting evening for fans of all ages. “Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of Americana, country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers.”  We hope you can attend his concert. It will be a great time. Come experience the wonderment.  http:/thcenter.org/showpglovett.html

Until the next time.

This article gives an overview of the artist Lyle Lovett and the concert he will be performing in Northeast Florida at the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts. The Thrasher-Horne Center is bringing top notch family-friendly entertainment year around to Northeast Florida.

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