Country legend Lovett talks Klein roots ahead of Grammys
As country music legend Lyle Lovett gears up for the 65th Grammy Awards on Sunday, he reflects on his connection with Klein, the Houston suburb where it all began.
Lovett is nominated in the Best American Performance category for There You Go Again, a song by Asleep at the Wheel where he is a featured artist. Lovett is one of several Houston musicians that could be recognized at the Grammys this weekend — Beyonce, Lizzo and Tobe Nwigwe have also received nominations this year.
“It always feels great, it’s an honor to be recognized by other people in the industry and by the industry itself,” Lovett said.
This isn’t Lovett’s first experience with the Grammys — he currently holds four awards and 18 nominations throughout his storied career. The Houston-based singer, songwriter, actor and record producer is known for his hits, like Cowboy Man in a career that has spanned 40 years.
“It’s just exciting. There are so many people who are recognized in the course of a Grammys presentation each year.
It’s exciting if you’re nominated yourself, but it’s also very exciting when you see friends and people you know in the industry who are nominated who win. The entire night is one great happening after another,” Lovett said.
Lovett said he is hoping to win another Grammy, but also noted he has a lot of projects on the way. Lovett said that he is excited about his tours, acting and latest album, “12th of June, 2022.” He will be in the American police drama television series Blue Bloods this upcoming March. Lovett said he is also excited to play at Carnegie Hall in New York this Spring for a Paul McCartney tribute show.
The Klein High School graduate has a long family history in northwest Houston.
Lovett’s great, great
grandfather is Adam Klein who was among the area’s first German settlers. According to Lovett the name of the community came about because his ancestor would bring mail from the post office in Houston back to the settlement. People began to say, “I have to go pickup my mail from Klein” which referred to his great grandfather’s name.
Lovett said his home and family history is what always fueled his fire — he just wanted to support his family farm. Working with his uncle on the farm and spending time with family is “therapeutic.” Lovett is an only child but says with his extended family throughout Klein, Tomball, and Spring, it makes him feels like he’s from a big family.
However, Lovett isn’t the only famous person from the Klein/Spring area. The Houston suburb has produced actors like Jim Parsons, Matt Bomer, Lee Pace and more.
“I really think that there are talented people everywhere and Klein schools do a wonderful job at encouraging young and talented people to pursue their interests and encouraging them to pursue their dreams,” Lovett said. “To see the success of actors like Jim Parsons who went to Klein Oak, whose mom still goes to my church and Matt Bomer and the other folks. To see their success speaks well of Klein schools and the kind of foundation the Klein schools give people so they can go on to thrive and flourish in the world.”