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From Burger Joints to Big Stages: Lyle Lovett on the Lessons of His Early Career


Lovett talks to Billboard's 'Behind the Setlist' podcast about working at a Texas A&M listening room, performing at restaurants, learning from peers.

Together with his high school friend Bruce Lyon, he played songs by Texas singer-songwriters such as Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt and Willie Nelson. Without a breakthrough hit single, Lovett made a name for himself as a unique songwriter and performer who absorbed the lessons learned in Houston’s burger joints and small venues. His latest album, 12th of June, released in 2022 on Verve/Forecast, are personal and characterized by Lovett’s singular wit, proving that the lessons of his early Texas singer-songwriter days remain an influence on his songwriting.

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