Lovett & Hiatt - two peas in a pod

From JH Weekly, Edition 6/15/11With mutual respect as the formidable bedrock, Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt bring 20-plus years of friendship and touring to the Center Theater stage—“unplugged” and candid.Collaborations between prominent names in the music industry don’t always equal the sum of their parts. But in the case of Lovett and Hiatt, the charisma just flows from the stage, and both have enthusiastic songwriting personalities that nearly define what Americana has come to be. Like seeing Doc Watson perform as if you were in his living room, it just appears laid-back and informal.“The show that John and I do is not scripted in any way, and we do not discuss at all what we’re going to play,” Lovett told McClatchy Newspapers last week. “John always plays first. We go in alphabetical order and what I play is determined or suggested by what he plays first. And we just go from there. It’s very relaxed, a free exchange.”Recently named the 2011 Texas State Musician, four-time Grammy winner Lovett has sustained a career through onstage charm and tremendous live shows rather than hit singles. And in the early days, there was a lot to learn from being on stage.“From the time I was 18, I started playing in (south Texas) clubs,” he said. “I was so insecure that I didn’t think I could call myself a musician unless I had a gig scheduled, so I tried to get as much work as possible. I’m not really a competitive person, and I’m not naturally comfortable in front of people. Growing up, the last thing I ever thought I’d do is be an entertainer.”Hiatt, who began his solo career in 1972, was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 2008 and also was honored that year with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting from The Americana Music Association. It was his 1987 breakthrough album Bring the Family that first made it to the charts, and Crossing Muddy Waters was the first to be nominated for a Grammy for Contemporary Folk Album in 2000. Over the course of 19 studio albums, Hiatt has also written songs for Bob Dylan, Rosanne Cash, Willie Nelson, Jewel and Bonnie Raitt (for whom he wrote the hit “Thing Called Love”).The idea for touring as a duo evolved from a series of concerts in 1989. In addition to Hiatt and Lovett, those concerts included Guy Clark and Joe Ely. Each songwriter would take turns playing a song and then talk about its meaning. Lovett, in particular, has noted Clark among his heroes as well as other south Texan songwriters Mickey Newberry and Townes Van Zandt. Hiatt’s early influences include Elvis, Dylan and blues.Concertgoers that were lucky enough to score a ticket for this sold out show will be rewarded with funny stories, reflections of our collective society and even sordid tales.“The stuff I’m doing is not complex,” Lovett said. “But it’s sincere. I respect the people who come to see me. I appreciate ‘em coming. I appreciate ‘em being there.”Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt, 8 p.m., Wednesday, Center Theater. The show is sold out. JHCenterforTheArts.org.