Cowboy, Actor, Songwriter, Legend: Lyle Lovett
The Bull Story
About twenty-some-odd years ago, Lyle Lovett stepped up to an enraged bull that was mauling his uncle Calvin, slapped the bull with his hat, and saved his uncle’s life. The incident left Lovett with a shattered shin bone and a long recovery, but the point is this: whether Lyle Lovett is onstage or not, he’s going to act like a legend.
The Rise to Stardom
Lyle Lovett rose to music stardom in the late ’80s and early ’90s with his hits If I Had a Boat, Cowboy Man, and She’s No Lady. He ambled onto the scene as a slightly askew presence—no cowboy hat, unruly hair, and a bell-clear voice that spun enchanting, literary stories into toe-tapping country songs.
Hollywood Fame
Seemingly out of the blue, he married superstar actress Julia Roberts, leaving jaws on the floor around the globe and making him a household name far beyond country music. Lovett landed film roles in edgy independent films by Robert Altman (The Player, Short Cuts, Prêt-à-Porter, Cookie’s Fortune) and emerged from the ’90s as his own distinct brand of Texas entertainer. He became known as a master storyteller, raconteur, keen observer, multi-talented artist, and a true symbol of Texas grit and charm. Not bad for a kid nicknamed “Rooster Boy” who earned a college degree in journalism and German. Legends act accordingly.
A Musical Maverick
Lovett’s eclectic style was too big to stay penned into the country category. He crossed into alt-country, folk, swing, and pop, creating an instantly recognizable sound. Along the way he has earned four Grammy® Awards, including Best Male Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Album, plus 18 nominations (and counting). He’s released 14 albums, received the Americana Music Association’s inaugural Trailblazer Award, was named Texas State Musician, and has been inducted into both the Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association Hall of Fame and the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame.
A True Legend
Oh, and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Let’s not forget his Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Reining Horse Association Hall of Fame.
As Esquire magazine noted, “the secret of Lyle Lovett’s endurance comes down to the three C’s: class, charisma and consistency.” He’s more than a musician—he’s an American icon who plays by his own rules while keeping his three C’s intact. In cowboy terms, we’d call him a maverick. In everyday terms, we call him a legend.
See Him Live
See Lyle Lovett and His Acoustic Group perform in Greenville for one night only at the Peace Concert Hall. Get your tickets now.