Hot Ticket: Loving Lyle Lovett

By GINA VIVINETTO
Published July 22, 2004

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Lyle Lovett's last album, 2003's My Baby Don't Tolerate, got the country crooner with the Eraserhead hairdo nominated for a Grammy for best country album. It didn't win, but that doesn't mean the quirky Lovett and his Large Band lost any fans. Lovett enthusiasts will be out in droves Wednesday anticipating gems such as the wry ditties If I Had a Boat and She's No Lady and the super-sad She's Already Made Up Her Mind.

When Lovett isn't marrying Hollywood starlets on a whim (Julia Roberts, 1993) or being attacked by bulls (2002), the guy is crafting some of today's finest tunes in a jumble of genres including country, gospel and pop. Lovett knows that pranksters with impish smiles sometimes conceal the most melancholy hearts. His sad songs sneak up on you, and suddenly you're aware of his songwriting range.

Lovett's live show is filled with terrific stories and, naturally, quite a lot of humor.

Lyle Lovett performs at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. $39.50-$44.50. (727) 791-7400 or (813) 287-8844 or (727) 898-2100..

- GINA VIVINETTO, Times pop music critic