By K.D. Norris
There are only seven concerts left of the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park summer concert season, and only two with original-price tickets still available, the Thursday, Aug. 23, special fundraising concert with Alabama and the Monday, Sept. 3, season-ending visit by +Live+.
The remainder the season concerts are sell-outs, as was the majority of the Meijer Gardens season, but one sell-out concert was a surprise to no one.
For the 13th straight year, Lyle Lovett (with his small band or this year with his large band) will be a sell-out at the Meijer Gardens amphitheater on Monday, Aug. 27. And while a streak like Lovett’s is not unheard of — that many straight years at the same venue — the Garden’s concert promoter says the Texas twang singer and his loyal fanbase are unique.
“It certainly does not happen every day, or very often,” Chris Mautz said to WKTV in an interview early in the concert season. “You know, Lyle Lovett (and his band) is absolutely a dynamic group of musicians. Unintentionally, it felt like something that was a perfect fit, a perfect match and a hard-to-pass-up piece of our summer” schedule.
“He is a world-class artist that delivers a dynamic show every time he hits the stage. … It was an unintended path, that has just sort of made sense every dang year. We do not go into it thinking we are going to have Lyle back, it just comes.”
While the Meijer Gardens concerts started in 2003, Lovett’s first sellout was in 2006 — the Gardens’ first confirmed sell-out — and he continued to sell-out even when the venue did not have many in the early years. (His 2009 concert was the only confirmed sell-out of 13 concerts that year.)
For those who know Lovett, no introduction is necessary. But for those who don’t, here is some provided info:
“A singer, composer and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums. Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers.
“Whether touring as a ‘Duo’ or with his ‘Acoustic Group’ or his ‘Large Band’, Lovett’s live performances show not only the breadth of this Texas legend’s deep talents, but also the diversity of his influences, making him one of the most compelling and captivating musicians in popular music.
“Since his self-titled debut in 1986, Lyle Lovett has evolved into one of music’s most vibrant and iconic performers. Among his many accolades, besides the four Grammy Awards, he was given the Americana Music Association’s inaugural Trailblazer Award and was named Texas State Musician.”
The only thing I could add is that his shows are always fun and his on-stage stories always funny, especially after a couple of beers.
For more information on the remaining concert season, visit meijergardens.com .
