San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Texas native Lovett talks roots after 18th Grammy nomination
As country music legend Lyle Lovett gears up for the 65th Grammy Awards tonight, he’s taking the time to reflect on his connection to the Texas 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 Texas musicians that could be recognized at the Grammys — Beyonce, Lizzo, Miranda Lambert, Willie Nelson, Black Pumas, Post Malone and Tobe Nwigwe are some of the others who 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 he’s excited about his tours, acting and latest album, “12th of June.” He will be in the police drama television series “Blue Bloods” this upcoming March. Lovett said he also is 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-greatgrandfather 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 pick up my mail from Klein.”
Lovett said his home and family history is what always fueled his fire — he just wanted to support the family farm. Working with his uncle on the farm and spending time with family is “therapeutic,” he said.
The singer 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.
Lovett isn’t the only famous person from the Klein/Spring area. The Houston suburb has produced actors such as 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.”