Late Night Conversations With Lyle Lovett 

What's your favorite Lyle Lovett song?

Years ago, I was the morning news anchor in Missoula MT. It meant going to work at 1am, putting together a 4 hour newscast and getting done around 9am. One morning while extremely bleary-eyed I was at a stoplight downtown headed home. I looked over next to me and there was Lyle Lovett and a female companion taking photographs of street art and such. I thought I was hallucinating. But, indeed it was him. I yelled, “hey Lyle!” Hey politely waved. That’s it. That’s the story.

It's really great to hear that Lyle is a decent human being. I've always suspected that he was. Lyle's got such a quirky sense of humor, with his songs about making a ring out of his Grandmother's gold tooth and jilted lovers tracking down"the one that got away". Thanks for doing this, Otis. Another one out of the park!

Lyle Lovett is hands down the nicest, coolest celebrity I've ever met. I only talked to the man for maybe two minutes outside the backstage door at Clowes Memorial Hall, but I felt like the only guy he wanted to talk to for those two minutes. He gave 100% attention to every person who wanted a minute with him that night. After a show. On his birthday. As for favorites. Dang. L.A. County. Road to Ensanada. Closing Time. All great...and so many more. But I've got to pick Pontiac. A sorely underappreciated song.

Mark is a real professional. That is beyond my comprehension to jump in with a band and play shows without any rehearsals. He is a gifted musician to say the least.

I worked / toured with Lyle when he married Julia Roberts, they were the sweetest couple. If I had boat

Someday there will be biographers and historians searching through the Otis Gibbs interview collection for information and material about these performers and music history. Thank you so much for putting these together, saving, and sharing these little bits of life that are so much more than a discography or wiki entry. Much love!

A true cowboy gentleman. Most know, but he and Robert Earl Keen were running/playing buddies and occasional roommates at Texas A&M. I think he and REK are up there with TVZ in songwriting. I put Lyle in that rare category with Randy Newman. Such deadly lyrics: “And she cried, how could you do it? And I saw there weren’t nothin to it” He as kind as he’s aware of our human depravity. Also a whip wit. So many songs of his I love, but Walk Through the Bottomland still hits me in a place where I have to be in right heart to hear it. Great stuff, Otis!

Lyle is much appreciated in Canada 🇨🇦👍💜😎

Rip Dusty Hill....Sorry to be Buzzkill, but Gotta Pay Respect..

I worked on the movie Runaway Bride with Julia Roberts. This was after she had divorced from Lyle. We were shooting in Ocean City, MD for a few days and we were staying at a Holiday Inn, Julia included. One day on set Julia asked who was playing guitar and singing in their room last night. Nobody spoke up but one crew member said, “that must have been Rhett” (one of the grips). Rhett fessed up and Julia said, “you sounded really good. You should talk to my ex-husband.” Apparently they stayed good friends. Testament to Lyle’s character and reputation as a nice guy. And Julia’s too. That day has always stuck with me.

I could listen to Mark Fain all day. So humble and generous.

Lyle is a snazzy dresser...and Caymus wine is good stuff...when it first came out my girl got a case for $28 a bottle before it was celebrated...A year or so later, that vintage she got went up to $250 a bottle🍷Tasty...I’ve seen Lyle play live many times...always fabulous...the tour with him, Guy, John Hiatt, Joe Ely was precious...How to pick a favorite, but the studio version of “North Dakota” is so beautiful with the sparse piano/drum intro. Truly an amazing song...

Thank you Otis and Mark Fain, I enjoy hearing stories from the 'working class musicians'. :)

Nice interview,. Tours with Ry Cooder, Ricky Skaggs and Lyle Lovett, wow-a pleasure to hear him speak. Among my favorites of Lyle's are "God Will" and "That's Right, You're Not From Texas". He was exquisite singing backup with Nanci Griffith on "Once In a Very Blue Moon". RIP Nanci♥

Love this, good to hear what it’s like behind the scenes

I met Lyle once. He was very nice and we talked about my hometown for a bit.

Mark tells great stories about all the really nice musicians he meets. He seems almost surprised, but he should consider the possibility that they are reacting to him!

She's Already Made Up Her Mind, Pontiac and North Dakota are three favourites. Such a talented musician and songwriter.

This Old Porch. My older brother, now deceased, turned me on to Lyle years ago. That was his fav and it became mine. Also love North Dakota and a # of others. I've seen Lyle 4 times--not enough.

Mark mentioned Bill Hearne. I live in NM and have seen Lyle nearly every time he’s come through since 2013 or so, and he’s had Bill sit in with him almost every time. Bill is an incredible singer, guitar player and performer. My favorite Lyle song changes. My current is a tie between Walk Through The Bottomlands and Nobody Knows Me.

Lyle grew up in the next school district as me. He was from Klien and I was from Spring. He heard me at Wuensche Bros, aplace me and Dean Cook started music in...and everyone has played there now. Ray Wylie, Michael Murphy, etc.

God bless and God rest,Mr.Dusty Hill,I have a feeling,I know what one of your upcoming Conversations will be about.

This old porch!! Hey Otis, Good show at HiFi . We had a great time , Great set!!

Great story, thanks. If I had a Boat, first time I heard I was sailing offshore on a Boat.

And you are a wild animal trainer to boot! I guess that comes from all your experiences with squirrels and nuts, on the road….. What a multitalented guy you are Otis! Seriously, I really enjoy listening to you and your friends on this channel a lot. Thanks

The whole "Road to Ensenada" album. 1999-2000? not the years--that's how many times my wife and I have listened to it. Easily. Lyles jokes about Louisiana before he plays 'One Eyed Fiona'. My favorite. 'Her brothers he's crazy, he just might bite you'.

I love Lyle Lovett I saw him open up for sting must have been back about 1998 he was truly wonderful out near Buffalo Darien Lake

My favorite is " I Know You're Not From Texas " A great artist. Thank you for posting this Otis!

If I Had A Boat is my favorite song. Step Inside This House, his covers of his favorite Texas songwriters is my favorite album.

I haven’t even watched this yet but Lyle is one of my “boys”. Thanks Otis

I saw Lyle at Carnegie Hall in NYC in the mid 90's and he had one of the tightest and most professional acts I have ever seen. The music was impeccable, played to perfection with every song leading to the mood of the next in a way you lay out your best mixed tape for a girl you really want to impress. An amazing show. Thanks

Wow, great interview with a great"ensemble" player about playing with a superb, writer/ performer. Interesting as well as entertaining, GREAT JOB OTIS!

I know Lyle from the beginning. He is a wonderful good person.

Let me know if you found the squirrel. : )

The very first time I saw Lyle perform - which was on tv, I just knew almost instantly that he was highly intelligent, supremely artistic, and incredibly humble and kind. Great stories!

Thanks for this Otis! I can’t get enough of Mark Fain and Mike Bub!

I was fortunate to see Lyle Lovett with his big band at the Majestic theater in San Antonio. My fav tune is If I had a boat.

Great story

The tour years from 80 to 88 were great when I was a green horn. Can't stop memories of gig'n.

Lyle is an amazing artist and songwriter. My mom turned me on to his music in the early 90s, and I've been a fan ever since. I've been fortunate to see him in concert with the Large Band, Small Group, and co-billed with John Hiatt. Simply amazing. No doubt that he's a stellar human being as well. Pretty sure my favorite Lyle song is all of them...

Great stories! "Step Inside This House" Is my favorite, even tough it was written by Guy Clark. Lyle thinks Guy never recorded it. Guy did record it, and I have on a 1/4 tape demo along with 12 other tunes that were never released. I sure would like people to hear these songs. Thanks, Otis

Great interview, great guy.

Morning Otis…Man these just keep getting better & better…Lyle is one of my all-time favorites…As usual when you ask “What’s your favorite song by” I suppose he’s one of those I’d have to say “The one I’m listening to right now” LOL…But If I had to choose one right now I’d say “Step Inside This House” Of course Guy Clark wrote it. I believe I saw somewhere it was Guys first attempt at writing a song and all said and done he elected not to record or release it because he didn’t think it was a very good song. Lyle saw him somewhere & asked if it would be alright if he did the song and Guy reluctantly with reservations gave his approval. How crazy is that? I relate with that song “Big Time” Absolutely love it. The wife and I saw Lyle & John Hiatt in the winter of 2019 in Evansville IN at the Victory Theater a beautiful old small venue. Just the two of them with their guitars setting on stools & swapping stories and songs, what an experience!!! They were the next to last show we attended before Covid hit us, the last show we attended before the virus shut everything down was Kris Kristofferson at the same venue. How lucky were we right!!!! Thanks for sharing my friend…Ed Brashear

I love everything about this channel

Seen Lyle 6-8 times thru the decades,big band and solo. He lives inside the song, he would indeed by amazing to play with. But then so would Ry and Ricky. You one lucky and talented dude fer sure.

West Tx Highway! Thanks Otis!

if i had a boat is my favourite song of his.

Enjoyed this. Hard to pick a favorite but ‘Christmas Morning’ is one I really like. The imagery is pronounced.

Squirrel cameos..!!! Only on the Otis G. Show..!!👍🏼

Perfect squirrel ending...

man, it is so great to know that some of the artists we all love to listen to are also good people. thanks so much for these wonderful stories.

Great hearing about Lyle. My favourites of his are the shows with John Hiatt but his albums are all excellent. Hard to pick a favourite!

Great interview Otis 👍🏾and its about something I care about 💯

Cool. It's always great to hear when an artist you admire is actually a solid person. Sadly, it sometimes feels like a rarity. I've always been partial to LA County. Thanks man

Love the squirrel (just to let you know I watched it 'til the end, Otis).

If I had a boat appears to be the answer of the day... but that was my introduction to Lyle and I love "Up in Indiana Where the Tall Corn Grows" ... just love Lyle's whole character.

Excellent, such a nice guy. Subscribed 👍

these interviews make my heart feel so certain... to know the top artists and the players they choose are theses great folks and that's the vibe throughout... feels good, real good... thank you! That's Right has been stuck in my head for a long long time :]

Gosh.... Just another great interview. thanks Otis.

If I had a boat. Mark mentioned he had worked with Ry Cooder; Ry was my first introduction to slide guitar music at a fairly young age from the film Southern Comfort. I am still fascinated by slide work to this day, one of my favorites being Johnny Winter. I'm not a guitar player myself but do love honking out and bending notes for all I'm worth on my mouth harp. Thanks Otis, always love your videos.

I love way too many Lyle songs to pick one, but I always come back to his version of ‘If I Needed You’. Good golly, it’s a fine rendition.

I've never delved into Lyle Lovett's catalog. The one thing that always comes to my mind when I hear his name is the show Spectacle by Elvis Costello. I tuned into the particular episode he was on for John Prine, but truly enjoyed all of it. Best all around episode of that great show, IMO. Anyhow, Lyle Lovett sang his song Natural Forces & if memory serves well, he stated during the interview part of the show his inspiration for writing it stemmed from a Coors Light commercial 😂🤣😂. ... He definitely came across as a down to earth good guy & nailed his performance. - Thanks much for yet another great interview clip Mr. Otis 🙏👍. ... I'm going to look around the comments and see which songs come up most from folks that are already fans of Lovett & give em a listen. ... Dig his sounds. ..... 🤘&✌️.

I don’t know about favorites, but “Penguins” is a good one

Guy Clark’s “Step inside My (This) House” 👍

Thank you Otis, Lyle Lovett is one of kind ,very interesting stories. God bless

I'm so happy I discovered this channel. I feel as if it were curated just for me. It is, isn't it....lol. Seriously, it's really a thrill to hear these artists share their musical lives in such intimate detail. Thanks!

GREAT TO HEAR, thanks Otis

I had no clue how he sounded,i just knew he was married to Julia Roberts, that's an achievement! Then,a friend of mine (late Pietro,RIP my friend) taped me his album I LOVE EVERYBODY and i was so positivelly surprised. This show gives me desire to re-listen it,it's a great album

I have to put top three, I cant just dont have one favorite : Step Inside This House, This Old Porch, and If I Had A Boat would be my top three.

Wow what an experience that must have been. I am not familiar with these artists really but would not assume famous musicians would be so nice to hang with. thanks for sharing. Also, WOW, your little friend is super cute (hope that was not salted).

West Texas Highway and South Texas Girl. Not even a shadow of a doubt.

Another great vid. Shes no lady......

Good one Otis.

No live song should be exactly the same. It needs to flow with the musicians and fans.

Saw your song "Panhead"--marvelous tune, Otis! (Comments were disabled, but had to let you know I dug it.) Cheers! :) MU

If I had a boat,Id set out to see a Lyle Lovett gig.

❤

I thought he did a great job on “ step inside this house” , Guy Clark’s tune

Great content! My favorite Lyle Lovett song is Step Inside This House. Always cuts me deep.

thou shall not covet lyle lovett

hi otis its between if i had a boat , road to ensanada and closing time

Baltimore

Can anyone help me? I saw a live performance of Lyle on TV, I think it was Austin City Limits and in the 1990's. Willie Nelson was with him and two others. I can't find this show anywhere and I am not sure I am remembering it correctly.

The cheeseburger song🎶

L.A. County, If I Had a Boat, and Baltimore.

Shes hot to go,is another favorite.

'If I had a Boat'

Lyle was a great guy, I met him a couple times. He did not like weed tho.... he would yell at the hippies in the crowd.

You Can’t Resist It and I’ve Had Enough…If I Was The Man You Wanted…

Hey y'all- I'm gonna be in Nashville 8/5-8/9... anyone know of any cool shows or gigs happening around town? Thanks!

If I Had a Boat

There are not enough gentleman in the world anymore I was watching TV with my little boy and grandkids and stopped on Family Feud. You can't even watch that nowadays with your kids. There were no gentlemen or ladies on that show it really is a shame that being a gentleman no longer something people strive to be at least not many. You see all these so-called reality shows with women who can't just have conversations they need to scream and throw drinks at each other like that's how you're supposed to deal with people it's a sad State of Affairs

Nobody knows me

Creeps Like Me

Skinny Legs…