7-years After Opening Kettlehouse, This Singer Still Loves Missou

He had the privilege of being there the night Missoula's most scenic music venue hosted its first show.

And 7 years later, Lyle Lovett still has praise for both the venue, its operators, and the Montana fans who've made his Garden City shows one of the highlights of the year.

For a man who thrives on variety, it's a unique touchstone in this phase of Lovett's career, a chance to play to not only his fans but also friends.

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Lovett was honored to be the first to perform at the Kettlehouse

It was 7-years ago this past week, on July 13th, 2017 when Lovett and his "Large Band" of musical friends kicked off the first show at the Kettlehouse, capping a year of anticipation.

He remembers rolling into the venue in the bus and seeing Logjam owner Nick Checotta on a ladder with a paintbrush, applying some finishing touches. Lovett told me last week it's a scene he'll never forget, encapsulating his appreciation for the promoter and his team.

"He and his company, Logjam, do such a great job for us, whether it's at the Wilma, which he's redone, the Wilma and the sound system that he put in, the Wilma is just state-of-the-art," Lovett observes. "He and everyone at Logjam just do things right. They put their best foot forward and are a joy to work with. I love coming back and working for Nick any chance I get."

And that's produced a string of memorable shows over the past decade, starting in March 2016 at the Wilma and two more shows there in 2018 and 2019. He came back that summer and played at the Kettlehouse in June 2019, and even squeezed in a show the following February, on Leap Day, right before COVID shutdown concerts.

Since then, Lovett returned with John Hiatt at the Wilma in 2022, and another summer show at the Kettlehouse last July.

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

More than a "country star"

"I grew up in Houston and listening to major market radio, pop radio, listening to The Beatles on KILT AM and FM. And I listened to country music from KIKK," Lyle recalls. "And my parents' record collection. They belonged to the old Columbia record club and their record collection had Ray Price records and Ray Charles Records."

Lovett has been on a musical journey that reflects his Texas routes, from country to folk, to jazz, his shows reflect that diversity of interest. So much so, that he would turn down early gigs if he was told what NOT to play, with choices ranging from folk clubs to dance halls.

"I was fortunate to be able to take advantage of that. I started playing when I was 18 years old in the summer of 1976. And I enjoyed it so much, I just kept trying, looking for gigs and kept booking myself and played somewhere two or three or four nights a week."

The "blessing" of The Large Band

At the Missoula show, his legendary "Large Band" is up to 5-people this year, with some genuine musical talents. He says that helps every night be part of the journey.

"I think playing live is to be in the moment and to improvise freely and so that's what the musicians and the band do," Lovett explains. "So I get to stand in the middle and hear, you know, the musical conversation, to go back and forth from one side of the stage to the other. And it's fun for me every night."

Tickets to the Tuesday night show are still available at Logjam Presents' website, with Lovett taking the stage at 8 pm.