Lyle Lovett, from the cover of 1996's The Road to Ensenada

Lyle Lovett (born in Klein, Texas on November 1, 1957) is an American singer-songwriter.

He attended Texas A&M University, studying German and Journalism. Lovett's music career began as a songwriter, but he soon signed with MCA Records in 1986 and released his self-titled debut album. A selected discography of his musical work is below.

While typically associated with the country genre, the music of Lyle Lovett is broader in scope. His albums typically incorporate folk, swing, blues, jazz and gospel music as well as more traditional country styling.

He has won four Grammy Awards, including Best Country Album (1996 for The Road to Ensenada), Best Country Duo/Group with Vocal (1994 for "Blues For Dixie" with Asleep at the Wheel), Best Pop Vocal Collaboration (1994 for "Funny How Time Slips Away" with Al Green), and Best County Male Vocal (1989 for Lyle Lovett and His Large Band).

Away from music, Lovett has acted in a number of films including three directed by Robert Altman - The Player (1992), Short Cuts (1993) and Prêt-à-Porter (1994) - and The Opposite of Sex starring Christina Ricci. More recently, he has acted in The New Guy (2002). His television acting forays include Mad About You and Dharma & Greg.

Lovett's personal life was brought to the fore during the mid-1990s when he married actress Julia Roberts. The couple divorced in March 1995 after less than two years of marriage. He has been with his girlfriend, April, since 1999.

His small-town life was again brought to the public's attention on March 28, 2002 when Lyle was trampled by a bull on his uncle's farm in Klein. Lyle attempted to aid his uncle, Calvin Klein, and was caught by the bull and rammed into a fence before being pulled to safety by two friends. While the injury was serious, Lyle made a full recovery after six months and began touring again in the summer of 2003.

Selected discography

• My Baby Don't Tolerate (Sept 2003)
• Smile (Feb 2003)
• Anthology, Vol. 1: Cowboy Man (2001)
• Live In Texas (1999)
• Step Inside This House (1998)
• The Road To Ensenada (1996)
• I Love Everybody (1994)
• Joshua Judges Ruth (1992)
• Lyle Lovett and His Large Band (1989)
• Pontiac (1988)
• Lyle Lovett (1986)

External links

• The Thinking Man's Cowboy, by Matt Dellinger, New Yorker, February 23, 2004.
• Lovett charges ahead with his career - USA Today, May 10, 2002.
• Lyle Lovett Trampled by Bull, Hospitalized With Broken Leg - FOX News, March 29, 2002.